Reflection monitor optical fiber coupler manufacturing system and method

A method of fabricating an optical fiber coupler comprising the steps of:

• fusing and elongating a coupler forming part of a plurality of optical fibers;
• introducing a predetermined quantity of light into at least one of said plurality of optical fibers from a first end of said optical fibers;
• passing said light through said coupler forming part;
• reflecting said passed light at a second end of said optical fiber;,
• returning said light through said coupler forming part toward the first end of said optical fiber;
• detecting said returned light at a first end of each of at least two of said fibers;
• obtaining a ratio of a characteristic of the light detected at a first of said at least two fibers to a characteristic of the light detected at a second of at least two fibers;
• and
• inhibiting said fusing and elongating step responsive to said ratio.

A system for fabricating an optical fiber coupler comprising:

• means for fusing and elongating a coupler forming part of a plurality of optical fibers;
• a light source for providing a predetermined quantity of light incident on at least one of said plurality of optical fibers from a first end-of said optical fibers;
• an optical fiber for passing said light through said coupler forming part and for returning said light through said coupler forming part toward the first end of said optical fiber;
• means for reflecting said light at a second end of said optical fiber;
• means for detecting said returned light at a first end of at least one of said fibers;
• means for obtaining a ratio of a characteristic of said detected light to a characteristic of said incident light;
• and
• means for inhibiting the operation of said fusing and elongating means responsive to said obtaining means.

A system for fabricating an optical fiber coupler comprising:

• means for fusing and elongating a coupler forming part of a plurality of optical fibers;
• a light source for providing a predetermined quantity of light incident on at least one of said plurality of optical fibers from a first end of said optical fibers;
• an optical fiber for passing said light through said coupler forming part and for returning said light through said coupler forming part toward the first end of said optical fiber;
• means for reflecting said light at a second end of said optical fiber;
• means for detecting said returned light at a first end of each of at least two of said fibers;
• means for obtaining a ratio of a characteristic of the light detected at a first of said at least two fibers to a characteristic of the light detected at a second of said at least two fibers;
• and
• means for inhibiting the operation of said fusing and elongating means responsive to said obtaining means.