Tensioning device having a flexure mechanism for applying axial tension to cleave an optical fiber and method

A method of cleaving an optical fiber, comprising:

• scribing an initial crack at the surface of the optical fiber to define a desired cleave location between a first section and a second section of the optical fiber along a length of the optical fiber;
• providing a tensioning device, comprising:
• a base;
• a spring bearing including an input, an output, and a spring coupling that couples the output to the input, wherein the output comprises a first coupling structure to fixedly couple thereto the first section of the optical fiber at one side of the crack to prevent axial movement of the first section relative to the output;
• and
• a frame comprising a second coupling structure to fixedly couple thereto the second section of the optical fiber at another side of the crack to prevent axial movement of the second section relative to the frame,
• wherein an external force applied to the input of the spring bearing causes linear displacement at the output via the spring coupling, creating a linear axial displacement of the first section of the optical fiber with respect to the second section of the optical fiber, to thereby subject the optical fiber to strain and axial force,
• wherein the spring coupling comprises:
• an upper set of at least two parallel fixed-guided beams, and
• a lower set of at least two parallel fixed-guided beams;
• and
• a top block, an input block and a bottom block, the bottom block being fixed to the base, wherein the upper set of parallel fixed-guided beams is cantilever-coupled to the top block and to the input block, and the lower set of parallel fixed-guided beams are cantilever-coupled to the input block and to the bottom block,
• wherein the input block forms the input of the spring bearing, and the top block is linearly displaceable and forms the output of the spring bearing, and
• wherein the top block comprises the first coupling structure to prevent axial moment of the first section of the optical fiber relative to the top block;
• fixedly coupling the first section of the optical fiber at one side of the crack to the top block of the spring bearing using the first coupling structure to prevent axial movement of the first section relative to the output;
• fixedly coupling the second section of the optical fiber at another side of the crack to the frame using the second coupling structure to prevent axial movement of the second section relative to the frame, and
• applying an external force to the input of the spring bearing to cause linear displacement of the top block via the spring coupling, creating a linear displacement of the first section of the optical fiber with respect to the second section of the optical fiber, to thereby subject the optical fiber to strain and axial force.