Apparatus and method for connecting optical waveguides

Apparatus comprising:

• first and second optical interconnection devices, each having a connection adjusting component;
• an optical waveguide extending between and operatively coupled to each of said first and second optical interconnection devices;
• an excitation light emitting device coupled to said waveguide and directing into one end of said waveguide, via said first optical interconnection device, a frequency of light which excites said waveguide to fluoresce;
• a communication light emitting device coupled to said waveguide and directing into the one end of said waveguide, via said first optical interconnection device, light for optical communication transmission through said waveguide;
• and
• a observation device coupled to said waveguide and said connection adjusting component of said first optical interconnection device;
• said observation device responding to fluorescence of said waveguide and to transmitted light for optical communication and directing said connection adjusting component to adjust an optical connection between said waveguide and said first interconnection device.

Apparatus comprising:

• first and second optical waveguides coupled together in series, one of said waveguides being of greater length than the other;
• an optical interconnection device having a connection adjusting component;
• an excitation light emitting device coupled to said waveguide and directing to said first and second waveguides a frequency of light which excites said waveguide to fluoresce;
• and
• a observation device coupled to said first and second waveguides and said connection adjusting component;
• said observation device responding to fluorescence of said first waveguide and directing said connection adjusting component to adjust an optical connection between said first waveguide and said interconnection device;
• and
• said observation device responding to fluorescence of said second waveguide and directing said connection adjusting component to adjust an optical connection between said first waveguide and said second waveguide.

Method comprising:

• emitting into an end face of a waveguide light at a frequency which causes the waveguide to fluoresce;
• observing the fluorescence of the waveguide from a side face different from the end face into which fluorescence causing light is emitted;
• and
• adjusting the optical alignment of the waveguide with an interconnection device based on the intensity of the fluorescence of the waveguide.