Large diameter optical waveguide splice

A method for splicing together two optical waveguide sections, comprising:

• a) aligning distal ends of the two optical waveguide sections;
• b) providing at least two laser beams for heating the optical waveguide sections;
• c) adjusting a power level of the at least two laser beams;
• and
• d) exposing the distal ends of the optical waveguide sections to the at least two laser beams.

A system for fusing first and second optical waveguide sections together, comprising:

• at least one source laser to provide at least one laser beam;
• first and second stages to hold the first and second optical waveguides, respectively, wherein at least one of the first and second stages is movable to provide relative motion between the first and second optical waveguides while holding portions of the first and second optical waveguides to be fused within a fusion splice region;
• and
• a beam delivery arrangement to deliver at least two laser beams to different locations of the fusion splice region, wherein the at least two laser beams are generated from the at least one laser beam provided by the at least one source.