Optically aligned splice for optical fibers
AssigneeAllied-Signal Inc.
InventorsLeo Horowitz, Eric E. Hubner, Herbert T. Califano, Walter V. Werner
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A splice joint is effected between single mode polarization maintaining (SMPM) fibers (31, 32) in a manner so as to maintain polarization of light transmitted through the splice. Mating ends (57, 58) of the respective fibers (31, 32) are aligned and joined with ultraviolet curing epoxy (61). After the ultraviolet curing epoxy (61) is cured, five-minute epoxy (63) is applied over the joint so as to effect mechanical rigidity of the joint. In one arrangement, the five-minute epoxy is reinforced with a sleeve (55). Advantages include the ability to simplify splicing of SMPM fibers, while maintaining polarization characteristics of the fibers.
Claims16
Method of providing a splice at mating ends of a first optical fiber having a first mating end to a second optical fiber having a second mating end, in which each of the two optical fibers are aligned by an alignment jig in a manner to cause the mating ends to be juxtaposed, in which optical transmission is optimized with the aid of the jig and an optical signal detector, characterized by:
- applying a first bonding agent to at least one of the mating ends, the first bonding agent having an optical transmission characteristic which maintains a preferred optical sense of light transmitted through the optical fibers;
- aligning the mating ends to achieve maximum transmission while maintaining the first bonding agent between the mating ends;
- causing the first bonding agent to achieve a stabilized state;
- and
- applying a second bonding agent externally of said first bonding agent so as to substantially surround the first bonding agent and the first and second optical fibers at the mating ends and thereby effect mechanical rigidity of the splice.
A spliced joint between a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber, wherein the first and second optical fibers are single mode polarization maintaining fibers, said spliced joint formed by a process comprising the steps of:
- preparing mating ends on the first and second optical fibers;
- applying a first bonding agent to at least one of the mating ends, the first bonding agent having an optical transmission characteristic which maintains a preferred optical sense of light transmitted through the optical fibers;
- aligning the mating ends to achieve maximum transmission while maintaining the first bonding agent between the mating ends;
- causing the first bonding agent to achieve a stabilized state;
- applying a second agent externally of said first bonding agent so as to substantially surround the first bonding agent and the first and second optical fibers at the mating ends and thereby effect mechanical rigidity of the splice.
Method of providing a splice at mating ends of a first optical fiber having a first mating end to a second optical fiber having a second mating end, in which each of the two optical fibers are aligned by an alignment jig in a manner to cause the mating ends to be juxtaposed, in which optical transmission is optimized with the aid of the jig and an optical signal detector, characterized by:
- placing a sleeve over one of the fibers;
- applying a first bonding agent to at least one of the mating ends, the first bonding agent having an optical transmission characteristic which maintains a preferred optical sense of light transmitted through the optical fibers;
- aligning the mating ends to achieve maximum transmission while maintaining the first bonding agent between the mating ends;
- causing the first bonding agent to achieve a stabilized state;
- applying a second bonding agent externally of said first bonding agent so as to substantially surround the first bonding agent and the first and second optical fibers at the mating ends and thereby effect mechanical rigidity of the splice;
- moving the sleeve over the mating ends after the first bonding agent is caused to achieve a stabilized state;
- and
- applying the second bonding agent so as to bond the sleeve over the mating ends, thereby reinforcing the splice with the sleeve.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.