Method for fusion splicing optical fibers and fusion splicer

A method for fusion splicing optical fibers, comprising the steps of

• (a) detecting fiber positions and core positions of optical fibers to be spliced at an abutting position and a fiber offset that is caused when said optical fibers are in core alignment;
• (b) obtaining a self-alignment ratio corresponding to a preferred melted condition value based on a predetermined expression for a relationship between melted condition value and self-alignment ratio,
• (c1) obtaining an intentional offset value that is based on said fiber offset and said self-alignment ratio and causes a prescribed splicing loss,
• (d1) offsetting said core positions by said intentional offset, and
• (e1) heating and fusing said optical fibers.

A method for fusion splicing optical fibers, comprising the steps of:

• (a) detecting fiber positions and core positions of optical fibers to be spliced at an abutting position and a fiber offset that is caused when said optical fibers are in core alignment;
• (b) obtaining a self-alignment ratio corresponding to a preferred melted condition value based on a predetermined expression for a relationship between melted condition value and self-alignment ratio,
• (c2) obtaining, from said fiber offset and said self-alignment ratio, a predicted loss and a core offset that is caused when fusion splicing is performed while said optical fibers are in core alignment,
• (e2) determining whether fiber position correction is necessary by comparing said predicted loss and a specified loss,
• (f2) when necessary, determining, from said fiber offset and said self-alignment ratio, an intentional offset that achieves the prescribed offset, and heating and fusing said optical fibers in a state in which said core positions are offsetting by said intentional offset value;
• and
• (g2) when not necessary, heating and fusing said optical fibers in a state in which said optical fibers are in core alignment.