Abstract: A multi-port optical device for transferring optical signals, or portion of optical signals, from one transmission element to another is disclosed. The inventive optical device comprises a pair of graded index lenses having an interposed Fabry Perot etalon. Moreover, the functionality of the device may be modified by varying the transmission characteristics of the etalon, which may be effected by varying the optical path length of the etalon. In operation, the optical device utilizes the graded index lenses as image transfer lenses between transmission elements wherein wavelength selectivity therebetween is afforded by the filtering mechanism associated with the etalon. The optical device may be used as a wavelength multiplexer or as an optical splitter. Moreover, by utilizing a piezoelectric transducer, the optical device may be converted to operate as an optical switch.

Abstract: In order to recoat bared end portions (32--32) of optical fibers (34--34) which have been spliced together, the spliced portions of the fibers and portions adjacent thereto are positioned in a groove (51) of a base plate (43) of a mold and enclosed with a cover (60). The cover is slidably moveable relative to the groove to allow an injection nozzle (81) which extends through the cover to become aligned with the fiber. Coating material (92) is introduced through the nozzle into engagement with the spliced end portions after which the cover is moved relative to the base plate to shear across the coating material along the interface between the cover and the base plate. Movement is discontinued when a channel (86) in the cover becomes aligned with the recoated splice.

Abstract: High-strength, low-loss splices of optical fiber can be produced by fusion splicing the fiber with a D.sub.2 -O.sub.2 flame. According to the invention, the deuterium concentration in the gas mixture used to produce the flame is at least 10% by volume of the reducing gas present in the mixture. Preferably, substantially all of the reducing gas in the mixture is deuterium, with oxygen the oxidizing gas species.