Abstract: An apparatus for aligning the centers of the cores of two optical fibers prior to their being fused together for splicing. A pair of supporting members are provided, each of which has a V-shaped recess in which an end of a respective one of the optical fibers is fixed. The supporting members are movable relative to one another in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the optical fibers. A transparent light conducting member forms a bottom portion of the recess of at least one of the supporting members. A photodetector is optically coupled to the light conducting member.

Abstract: A method for splicing coated optical fibers. The outer coating layer of two coated optical fiber ends to be joined is removed from respective end portions thereof. The inner optical fibers so exposed are then coated with a layer of UV-curable resin. After the resin layer has been hardened by irradiating it with ultraviolet radiation, the coated portion may be securely clamped without fear of damaging the optical fibers. The clamped end portions may then be moved toward one another in order that they may be fused together.