Splice joint and process for joining a microstructured optical fiber and a conventional optical fiber
US6652163B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 31, 2001 |
| Grant date | Nov 25, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 31, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/02347
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An optical splice joint and splicing process are provided for joining an end portion of a microstructured optical fiber having a microstructure formed from an array of holes, and a conventional optical fiber. The optical splice joint is formed from a fused portion of opposing end portions of the microstructured optical fiber and optical fiber, wherein the microstructured optical fiber is surrounded by a jacket that is at least 1.6 times thicker along its radius than the microstructure, and has a tensile strength of at least 30 Kpsi with an optical loss of less than 0.30 dB, and relatively little shrinkage (i.e., about 30%) of the holes forming the microstructure. The splice joint is formed by aligning end portions of the microstructured optical fiber and the optical fiber, in a fusion splicer, and applying fusion heat to the fiber ends in a two step process with a low current arc that is offset with respect to the end of the microstructured optical fiber.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.