Abstract: The present invention pertains to a strain sensor. The strain sensor is comprised of an optical waveguide, a device for providing optical pulses to the optical waveguide and a device for sensing localized strain in the optical waveguide. The sensing device determines shifts in arrival times of the optical pulses at the sensing device that correspond to the localized strain. In a preferred embodiment the sensing device includes a device for reflecting a portion of the optical pulses at predetermined positions in the optical waveguide and a device for detecting the shift in arrival times of the portion of the optical pulses which are reflected.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to an optical splice. The optical splice includes a member having an alignment cavity which receives optical waveguides and allows light to pass there between. The member is made of a material that is moldable such that when an optical waveguide is received by the member, the alignment cavity expands but constricts about the optical waveguide in a predetermined position. The member has a plurality of funnels which communicate with the alignment cavity and guide an optical waveguide into the alignment cavity where it is received thereby. The present invention also pertains to a method for making a funnel in a member.

Abstract: An improved low loss fused biconical taper fiber optic coupler has a biconical taper region where the fibers are fused together and have a deformed zone at their minimum taper region. The deformation of the fibers is in the shape of a ball.

Abstract: A known low loss fused biconical taper fiber optic coupler is fabricating by heating and pulling a plurality of fused optical fibers which may be twisted to provide a minimum biconical taper region. One method of improving this known biconical taper coupler is to simultaneously heat and push the known coupler to form a glass ball in the minimum taper region and then simultaneously heat and pull the ball to provide the improved biconical taper coupler. Another method of improving the known biconical taper coupler is to score and pull the minimum taper region of the known coupler to separate the minimum taper region into two halves and then heat and push the two halves together to provide the improved biconical taper coupler.