Fabrication of fibre optic components

US4957338A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA · AU

Inventors

• David A. Thorncraft · Tuggeranong, AU
• David Kennedy
• Scott C. Rashleigh · Red Hill, AU
• Timothy P. Dabbs · Parramatta, AU

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 12, 1988
• Grant date: Sep 18, 1990
• Expiry date: Sep 12, 2008

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G02B6/3616
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method of fabricating a fused fibre optic coupler includes disposing two or more segments of optical fibre under longitudinal tension. The tensioned fibre segments are preheated to a temperature sufficient to soften the segments and thereby substantially relieve their tension by inelastic stretching of the segments. After the segments have cooled, the fibre segments are re-tensioned and then heated while in intimate side-by-side contact to a temperature sufficient to cause the fibre segments to fuse together.