Abstract: Disclosed is a laser beam machining method and apparatus for irradiating a work with a laser beam, to melt-evaporate the irradiated region of the work at the irradiation spot. According to the invention, a work such as an optical fiber can be machined into a complicated form within a short period of time without accurately controlling the laser beam irradiation position while inhibiting the decline of machining accuracy due to thermal effect, by using a mask having a light-transmitting section that is predetermined times as large as the laser beam machining spot corresponding to the form of the portion undergoing melt-evaporation of the work.

Abstract: Disclosed is a laser beam machining method and apparatus for irradiating a work with a laser beam, to melt-evaporate the irradiated region of the work at the irradiation spot. According to the invention, a work such as an optical fiber can be machined into a complicated form within a short period of time without accurately controlling the laser beam irradiation position while inhibiting the decline of machining accuracy due to thermal effect, by using a mask having a light-transmitting section that is predetermined times as large as the laser beam machining spot corresponding to the form of the portion undergoing melt-evaporation of the work.

Abstract: There are disclosed an optical fiber junction device and a method of making the same. The method comprises the steps of providing a central inner pipe or rod of glass, arranging a plurality of optical fibers around the inner pipe or rod, and externally heating the optical fibers and the central inner pipe to form a thermally fused assembly having cores of a sectorial cross section. The inner pipe may include a tapered portion having a reduced diameter. The optical fibers may comprise optical fiber junction units each composed of a plurality of optical fibers.

Abstract: There are disclosed an optical fiber junction device and a method of making the same. The method comprises the steps of providing a central inner pipe or rod of glass, arranging a plurality of optical fibers around the inner pipe or rod, and externally heating the optical fibers and the central inner pipe to form a thermally fused assembly having cores of a sectorial cross section. The inner pipe may include a tapered portion having a reduced diameter. The optical fibers may comprise optical fiber junction units each composed of a plurality of optical fibers.

Abstract: A liquid level detecting device, which has a low transmission loss and may be miniaturized, comprising a plurality of optical fibers each composed of a core made of a transparent material and a cladding layer covering the core therewith and made of another transparent material having a lower refractive index than that of the former transparent material forming the core, end portions of the optical fibers being placed in adjacent to each other in either parallel arrangement or that attained by making an acute angle with each other, and a detecting portion which is obtained by heating the adjacent end portions of these optical fibers to fuse one another and shaping into a spherical form due to the surface tension of the fused material.

Abstract: The splicer comprises a stationary block provided with a first V shaped groove for accommodating opposing ends of optical fibers, and an opening perpendicular to the groove. On the opposite sides of the stationary block there are provided a pair of slidable blocks provided with second grooves in alignment with the first groove and clamping means for clamping the fibers. The slidable blocks are moved toward and away from the stationary block by micrometers. A heater is provided in the opening for heating and fusing together the opposing ends of the optical fibers.