Abstract: A method for fusion splicing of a holey optical fiber with a cladding having a large number of air holes along the axis thereof to another optical fiber includes the use of arc discharge heating. First, the method uses arc discharge heating such that the temperature of a position rearward of an end surface of the holey optical fiber is higher than the temperature of the end surface, thereby making a tip portion of the holey optical fiber transparent. Next, the cores are aligned with one another. Then the method includes performing fusion splicing by second arc discharge heating. The first arc discharge heating is performed between discharge electrodes positioned rearward of the end surface of the holey optical fiber. The arc heating time of the first arc discharge heating is preferably 200 to 400 milliseconds.

Abstract: A method for fusion splicing of a holey optical fiber with a cladding having a large number of air holes along the axis thereof to another optical fiber includes the use of arc discharge heating. First, the method uses arc discharge heating such that the temperature of a position rearward of an end surface of the holey optical fiber is higher than the temperature of the end surface, thereby making a tip portion of the holey optical fiber transparent. Next, the cores are aligned with one another. Then the method includes performing fusion splicing by second arc discharge heating. The first arc discharge heating is performed between discharge electrodes positioned rearward of the end surface of the holey optical fiber. The arc heating time of the first arc discharge heating is preferably 200 to 400 milliseconds.

Abstract: A fusion splicer that can execute fusion splice and reinforcement preparations of optical fibers to be next subjected to reinforcement treatment efficiently at a proper timing by keeping track of the reinforcement treatment progress state to perform fusion splice and reinforcement treatment in parallel with each other is provided. A fusion splicer includes a fusion splicing device for butting optical fiber end parts against each other and fusing them and a reinforcement treatment device for reinforcing the optical fibers subjected to the fusion splice with a reinforcement sleeve covered thereon, and a display for monitoring the state of fusion splice comprises a display function of displaying the progress state of reinforcement treatment. The reinforcement treatment progress state is displayed as temperature rise, heat insulation, cooling information or is displayed as time information or temperature information.