Optical fiber fusion splicer and method for fusion splicing optical fiber

An optical fiber fusion splicer comprising:

• an image acquisition unit configured to acquire an image including each of end surfaces of first and second optical fibers that are splicing targets in a state where the end surfaces of the first and second optical fibers are disposed to face each other;
• a condition setting unit configured to identify a state of each of the end surfaces on a basis of the image and set splicing conditions in accordance with the state of each of the end surfaces, the splicing conditions including at least one of the following items, positions of the end surfaces before discharge starts, a gap between the end surfaces before discharge starts, a preliminary discharge time, a main discharge time, a push-in amount after the end surfaces have been brought into contact with each other, and a retraction amount after the end surfaces have been pushed in toward each other;
• and
• a fusion splicing unit configured to fusion-splice the first and second optical fibers together by means of discharge between a pair of electrode bars in accordance with the splicing conditions set by the condition setting unit, wherein
• the splicing conditions include at least the retraction amount after the end surfaces have been pushed in toward each other;
• and
• wherein the condition setting unit is configured to:
• set a predetermined reference retraction amount when there is no abnormality on either of the end surfaces of the first and second optical fibers;
• and
• set a different retraction amount from the predetermined reference retraction amount in accordance with a state of an abnormal end surface when there is an abnormality on at least one of the end surfaces of the first and second optical fibers.