Method and apparatus for splicing optical fibers with signal I/O

A method of splicing first and second optical fiber ribbons, each including a plurality of optical fibers, comprising the steps of:

• providing first and second optical fiber ribbons, each having a ribbon end with the plurality of fibers being separated into separate fiber ends to be spliced to other fiber ends;
• molding a base with a plurality of grooves therein, each groove extending from a first fiber receiving inlet to a second fiber receiving inlet, and further molding each of the plurality of grooves with a tapered portion at each of the first and second receiving inlets to act as a guide during the positioning of the first and second ends, each of the tapered portions being molded with a larger cross-section at an outer edge of the base and a smaller cross-section within the base;
• positioning the fiber ends of the plurality of optical fibers in the first fiber ribbon, one each, in the first fiber receiving inlet of the plurality of grooves in the base utilizing the tapered portions as a guide;
• positioning the fiber ends of the plurality of optical fibers in the second fiber ribbon, one each, in the second fiber receiving inlets of the plurality of grooves in the base utilizing the tapered portions as a guide;
• introducing an index matching fluid into the plurality of grooves;
• curing the fluid to hold the fibers fixedly in the grooves and form optical links therebetween;
• and
• providing a cover having a groove formed therein which, when the cover is placed in sealing engagement over the groove in the base, is positioned perpendicular to the groove in the base and a photonic device positioned in the groove in the cover, and fixedly positioning the cover in sealing engagement over the plurality of grooves in the base.

A pair of spliced optical fibers comprising:

• first and second optical fibers, each having an end to be spliced to the other;
• a molded base with a groove therein extending from a first fiber receiving inlet to a second fiber receiving inlet, the groove in the base including a tapered portion at each of the first and second receiving inlets to act as a guide during the positioning of the first and second ends, each of the tapered portions having a larger cross-section at an outer edge of the base and a smaller cross-section within the base;
• the end of the first optical fiber being positioned in the first fiber receiving inlet of the groove in the base and the end of the second optical fiber being positioned in the second fiber receiving inlet of the groove in the base;
• introducing an index matching fluid into the groove;
• and
• curing the fluid to hold the fibers fixedly in the groove and form an optical link therebetween;
• and
• a cover fixedly positioned in sealing engagement over the groove in the base, the cover including a groove formed therein which, when the cover is placed in sealing engagement over the groove in the base, is positioned perpendicular to the groove in the base and a photonic device positioned in the groove in the cover.