Abstract: An optical fiber holder is provided which can accurately position the tip of an optical fiber during fusion-splice. A holder 2 can be used without removing an optical fiber 1 clamped in a stripping apparatus, cleaving apparatus and fusion-splicing apparatus in common. The optical fiber is clamped between a holder main body 2a and clamping members 3a, 3b at the coated portion thereof and between a V-groove portion 2b and a clamping member 7 at the tip thereof. The holder is positioned and mounted on a holder mount 4. Since the optical fiber is kept clamped in the holder throughout the steps of stripping, cleaving and fusion-splicing, the tip of the optical fiber 1a can be accurately positioned during fusion-splice.

Abstract: A method for handling a fusion-spliced optical fiber and a transferring jig for transporting the optical fiber are provided. The jig is capable of holding the fusion-spliced optical fiber in a state in which a given tension is applied at the spliced portion, and stopping the application of such tension if needed. The jig is easy to transport and set to each of separate processing processes. In the method, a fusion-spliced optical fiber is clamped at coated portions thereof on both sides of the fusion-spliced portion by a pair of clamps of the jig and transported by the jig holding the optical fiber in a state wherein a given tension is applied thereto through the clamps.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for predicting pharmacokinetic properties of molecules comprising the steps of:

Abstract: An optical fiber holder is provided which can accurately position the tip of an optical fiber during fusion-splice. A holder 2 can be used without removing an optical fiber 1 clamped in a stripping apparatus, cleaving apparatus and fusion-splicing apparatus in common. The optical fiber is clamped between a holder main body 2a and clamping members 3a, 3b at the coated portion thereof and between a V-groove portion 2b and a clamping member 7 at the tip thereof. The holder is positioned and mounted on a holder mount 4. Since the optical fiber is kept clamped in the holder throughout the steps of stripping, cleaving and fusion-splicing, the tip of the optical fiber 1a can be accurately positioned during fusion-splice.

Abstract: Each of imaging optical systems has a post-lens system having a front focus at a position of a rear focus of a pre-lens system. Each of the optical axes is set in a direction normal to the optical axes of optical fibers and different from the normal direction to a placement surface of the optical fibers. Each of image pickup planes of CCDs is inclined relative to the optical axis of the imaging optical system so that the longer an object distance of each optical fiber among the optical fibers, the shorter an image distance thereof, and each image pickup plane is located in parallel to the optical axes of the optical fibers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for observing, before and after fusion-splicing of optical fibers such as ribbon fibers each including a plurality of optical fibers in particular, the butting state of the tip portion of each of fiber ribbons in a wide range with a high accuracy. In the observation method in accordance with the present invention, while the optical fibers to be fusion-spliced together are disposed on a predetermined reference surface such that their end faces butt each other, at least a pair of cameras are independently or synchronously moved along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the optical fibers so as to change the shooting areas of the respective cameras, thereby realizing the collective observation or local observation of the observation area. The observation apparatus in accordance with the present invention comprises a driving system for moving the pair of cameras along a predetermined direction.