Electric arc apparatus for processing an optical fiber, and related systems and methods

An electric arc apparatus for processing at least one optical fiber, comprising:

• a body defining a space configured to accommodate the at least one optical fiber extending along a longitudinal axis;
• one or more first electrodes coupled to or integrally formed with the body, wherein the one or more first electrodes each at least partially converges before terminating at a first location spaced from the longitudinal axis;
• and
• one or more second electrodes that each at least partially converges before terminating at a second location spaced from the first location in direction along or parallel to the longitudinal axis;
• wherein the one or more first electrodes or the one or more second electrodes are configured to receive a voltage that generates an plasma field between the first and second locations, wherein the first and second locations are positioned so that the plasma field intersects the longitudinal axis when the plasma field is generated.

A system, comprising:

• at least one optical fiber extending along a longitudinal axis;
• and
• an electric arc apparatus for processing the at least one optical fiber, comprising:
• a body defining a space configured to accommodate the at least one optical fiber extending along the longitudinal axis;
• one or more first electrodes coupled to or integrally formed with the body, wherein the one or more first electrodes each at least partially converges before terminating at a first location spaced from the longitudinal axis;
• and
• one or more second electrodes that each at least partially converges before terminating at a second location spaced from the first location in direction along or parallel to the longitudinal axis;
• and
• a power source electrically coupled to either the one or more first electrodes or the one or more second electrodes, or both the one or more first electrodes and the one or more second electrodes;
• wherein:
• the power source is configured to provide a voltage to the one or more first electrodes or the one or more second electrodes to generate a plasma field between the first and second locations for modifying the end of the at least one optical fiber;
• the first and second locations are positioned so that the plasma field intersects the longitudinal axis when the plasma field is generated;
• an end of the at least one optical fiber is positioned closer to the one or more first electrodes than to the one or more second electrodes.