Abstract: The end face (32) of the optical fiber (24) of a fiber optical terminal (10) is finished by installing the fiber in a terminal ferrule (18), cleaving an end of the fiber close to the end face (54) of the ferrule, and heating the cleaved fiber end face so as to soften its end face and cause it to assume a smooth, rounded configuration. The heating is accomplished, for a glass fiber, by application of the beam of a carbon dioxide laser (60) to the optical fiber end face. The heat softened end face assumes a smooth, rounded configuration that minimizes back reflection. A system including a laser (105), shutter (102), beam expander (108) and parabolic mirror (110) heats the fiber end face that is positioned at the parabola faces by a three axis manipulator (156,158) and holder (152). Orthogonal viewing systems (126, 142) enable visual monitoring of the process.

Abstract: An optical fiber fusion splicer apparatus (20) comprises a laser power source that produces a laser beam (32) having a laser beam axis (26). The laser power source includes a laser (22), a shutter (28) that controllably blocks and passes the laser beam, and an optical system (30) that expands the diameter of the laser beam. A parabolic mirror (34) has its axis coincident with the laser beam axis (26) and a bore (48) therethrough coincident with the laser beam axis (26). Optical fiber clamps (42, 46) hold the two optical fibers (40, 44) with their axes coincident with the laser beam axis (26) and their ends (62, 64) at the focal point (38) of the parabolic mirror (34). A sensor (82) measures the power reaching the optical fiber ends (62, 64) at the focal point (38) of the parabolic mirror (34), and a controller (72) controls the power level of the laser (22) responsive to the power measured by the sensor.

Abstract: An optical fiber fusion splicer apparatus (20) comprises a laser power source that produces a laser beam (32) having a laser beam axis (26). The laser power source includes a laser (22), a shutter (28) that controllably blocks and passes the laser beam, and an optical system (30) that expands the diameter of the laser beam. A parabolic mirror (34) has its axis coincident with the laser beam axis (26) and a bore (48) therethrough coincident with the laser beam axis (26). Optical fiber clamps (42, 46) hold the two optical fibers (40, 44) with their axes coincident with the laser beam axis (26) and their ends (62, 64) at the focal point (38) of the parabolic mirror (34). A sensor (82) measures the power reaching the optical fiber ends (62, 64) at the focal point (38) of the parabolic mirror (34), and a controller (72) controls the power level of the laser (22) responsive to the power measured by the sensor.

Abstract: A fiber optic buffer defect detection system including a laser, for illuminating the fiber buffer with a collimated beam of light energy, and detectors for detecting any scattering of the beam, from a defect in the fiber buffer. The detectors are mounted to collect scattering out of a radial plane defined by the angular rotation of the beam about the fiber at the point of intersection of the beam with the fiber buffer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for making large, essentially crack-free crystals in a container coated with inert particulate silica. The particulate coating covers the interior wall of the container and prevents adhesion of the crystal to the wall and acts like a cushion to avoid cracking of the crystal or the container. It also serves as a barrier to prevent migration of impurities from the container wall into the crystal structure. The coating is formed by heating a silica-forming gaseous mixture flowing through the container, with components of this mixture either reacting to form the coating.

Abstract: There is disclosed a metallic clad glass fiber optical waveguide suitable for use as a high-strength optical transmission line, e.g., for high capacity communications systems and for sensors operating at high temperature. At least two metallic claddings or coatings are formed on the glass waveguide structure, which comprises a core and glass cladding, by coating the glass fiber with at least one of the metallic coatings as it emerges from the furnace with a metal or alloy. The first metal or alloy employed is one that is substantially chemically inert with respect to the material comprising the glass fiber at the deposition temperature during coating of the metal or alloy onto the glass fiber. The second metallic coating may be of the same composition as the first, in order to repair pinholes or to increase the thickness.