Method of making fiber optic coupler
AssigneeCorning Incorporated
InventorsWilliam J. Miller, Eric H. Urruti
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A fiber optic coupler is formed as follows. Glass optical fibers, each having a core, cladding and coating are disposed within the longitudinal aperture of a capillary tube, the fibers extending beyond each end thereof. The fibers are preferably held taut to effect a tension therein. The coating is removed from that portion of the fibers in the midregion of the tube by oxidation, depolymerization or the like. The coating remains on those portions of the fibers extending into the ends of the apertures to precisely orient the fibers within the tube. The midregion of the tube is heated, collapsed about the fibers, and drawn to reduce the diameter thereof.
Claims14
A method of making a fiber coupler comprising the steps of
- providing a glass tube having first and second opposite end portions and a midregion, a longitudinal aperture extending from a first end of said tube to a second end thereof,
- disposing within said longitudinal aperture at least two glass optical fibers, each comprising a core, cladding, and protective coating, at least one end of each of said fibers extending beyond the respective end of said tube, thereafter
- removing from those portions of said fibers that are located within said aperture at least a portion of the coating that is disposed thereon, thereafter
- collapsing the midregion of said tube onto said fibers, and
- drawing at least a portion of said midregion.
A method of making a fiber coupler comprising the steps of
- providing a glass tube having first and second opposite end portions and a midregion, a longitudinal aperture extending from a first end of said tube to a second end thereof,
- providing at least two glass glass optical fibers, each having a core, cladding, and protective coating,
- threading said fibers through said tube aperture, said fibers extending beyond each of said ends of said tube,
- holding said fibers taut to effect a tension in the fibers, thereafter
- removing the coating from that portion of each of said fibers that is located within said aperture except for those portions of said coating adjacent the ends of said aperture,
- heating said midregion,
- collapsing said midregion onto said fibers, and
- drawing at least a portion of said midregion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.