Abstract: An optical fiber stripper is formed with an interior cylindrical elongate passage for housing a fiber length and for containing stripper fluid. To assure ample room for expansion of the fiber coating during stripping, the passage has a greater volume than that of the coated fiber after the coating expands from contact with the fluid. The passage has a fluid inlet at its interior end for introducing stripping fluid. A relatively sharp shoulder disposed at the interior end of the passage and formed by a short cylindrical neck section coaxial with the passage has a diameter only marginally greater than the diameter of the coated fiber. Once the coating in the passage is softened by the stripper fluid, the fiber is withdrawn allowing the shoulder to cleanly strip away the coating. Advantageously, the stripper is made from graphite, so that any incidental contact with the fiber during the draw-stripping operation has no deleterious effect on the fiber surface.

Abstract: Signal strength in an optical fiber transmission path is attenuated in one direction to a desired lower level by incorporating a selected length of coreless, undoped fiber of the same diameter into the signal-carrying fiber. On encountering the insert, the beam diameter expands to a pre-selected value at the far end of the insert. The ratio of the beam diameter at this point to the diameter of the adjacent fiber end establishes the attenuation factor. Steps are taught for achieving high consistency in both structural strength of the attenuator as well as the attenuation factor.

Abstract: A single laser is used as a heat source to activate droplets of acid applied to two optical fibers for selective stripping of fiber coating, for forming conical sections on the coating adjacent the exposed fiber for improved bonding, and for fusing the fibers together in a splice. An enhanced method for aligning the two fiber ends prior to splicing is also disclosed, consisting of a TV camera scanning of selected cross-sections of both fibers following stripping and cleaving, to devleop indicia of the relative location of the fiber cores. Lateral adjustment of a movable chuck responsive to the indicia, brings the prepared fiber ends into precise axial alignment. The method uses a minimum of acid, ad constructs low-loss permanent fusion splices without flame or need for skilled operators.