Abstract: The present invention relates to an opto-mechanical transducer comprising an optical fibre exhibiting a polished pointed distal end placed opposite a reflecting surface and a proximal end being linked up to a coupler combining an illumination optical fibre associated with a light source and a measurement optical fibre associated with a photo-detector. The reflecting element exhibits a movable zone with an axial component, the axial distance between the distal end of the optical fibre and said reflecting surface at rest is determined so that the reflected luminous intensity I0 is equal to P·Imax where Imax denotes the maximum reflected luminous intensity, and P is a parameter lying between 0.25 and 0.75.

Abstract: The invention concerns an optical fibre connector (15, 18) for high pressure (P) environments. Said connector comprises means for maintaining (1, 2, 19b) the respective ends of the fibres, facing one another. The invention is characterised in that it further comprises a sleeve (3) enclosing the fibre ends, and a translucent gel (4), provided in the sleeve to soak the space (4b) separating the fibre ends (15, 18). Moreover, by maintaining itself by capillary action in said space (4b) the gel seals off the connection with environment. The ambient pressure (P) then acts on one free end of the sleeve (3) while maintaining the gel (4) in the sleeve.

Abstract: A chamfer is polished on the side of each of two end portions of optical fiber (2A, 2B) so that the polished chamfers may be brought into contact to define an end face common to both fibers and of substantially the same cross section as that of a single fiber. A groove is formed in the top surface of a soft support (4), and the middle of the groove (5) is sized to receive the stripped ends of optical fibers. A glass plate (8) is applied to the top surface of the support to close the groove. The chamfered end fibers (2A, 2B) are inserted into the groove from one end so as to form said common end face in the middle of the groove. Another fiber (11) (or similarly prepared pair of fibers) is inserted from the other end of the groove to establish end-to-end optical co-operation between the fibers. The groove is filled with a liquid index-matching medium which sets when exposed to ultraviolet radiation.

Abstract: A support of soft material (4) has a fiber-receiving groove (5) in one of its surfaces (40). The groove is filled with a transparent setable liquid medium. A rigid link part (8) is pressed against the groove. Suitably prepared ends (11, 21) of two optical fibers (1,2) are inserted into the liquid-filled groove from opposite ends thereof. The medium is caused to set, and then the link part (8) is removed from the support. The optical fibers come away with the link part and the support mold is reusable. In a variant, the link part is stretched prior to gluing, and is allowed to return to its original length after the glue has set. This prestresses in the connection.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises: firstly a support (4) having at least one surface (40) which is made of soft, elastically deformable material and which includes a groove (5) suitable for receiving the ends of two optical fibers (1, 2) to be connected in end-to-end contact; and secondly a member (8) which is kept bearing against the support surface and the ends of the optical fibers. Said member (8) comprises a polished rigid part such that keeping it bearing against the support surface (40) exerts a compression action on the said ends of the fibers, giving rise to radial reaction from the wall of the groove against the ends of the fibers, and thus ensuring that the fibers are aligned.