Abstract: The multiferrule for connecting optical fibers together has a series of internal capillary channels of transverse dimensions that are defined to leave substantial clearance for the fibers, at least in the two end portions of the channels where they open out into two end faces of the multiferrule. The multiferrule further includes middle necking in which the corresponding middle portions of the channels have their transverse dimensions reduced so as to leave only minimal clearance for the fibers, to enable them to be put into contact and connected together directly in this location. The multiferrule is applicable to making an optical fiber connector.

Abstract: The method of arc welding optical fibers includes a fusion and inter-penetration first step during which the ends subjected to the arc are fused and caused to inter-penetrate, and an alignment second step so as to continue the fusion under the control of the offset that is calculated on the basis of an image of the ends, which are not externally illuminated. The first step is an arc current control step performed in successive current increments, under the control of the brightness taken on by the ends after each increment.

Abstract: The device for positioning and retaining optical fibers in a layer including firstly a channel-section base having two L-shaped slots disposed facing each other in the respective flanges of the base, and adapted to positioning the fibers in a layer in the respective horizontal segments of the slots, secondly a grooved guide surface for guiding the fibers, the surface interconnecting the horizontal segments of said slots, and thirdly retaining means for retaining the fibers on the grooved surface. Application: handling and connecting together optical fibers.

Abstract: The clamp includes a body having a grooved plane surface, facing which a clamping jaw is pivotally mounted. The body is constituted by an elongate flat support having a top plane face provided with a recess, and by a plate which is complementary to the recess, which is grooved so that it can receive one or more fibers, and which is removably mounted in the recess in the support. Application: tool for handling optical fibers.

Abstract: A method of cutting an optical fiber ribbon obliquely, the ribbon being constituted by a plurality of optical fibers that are all parallel to a "longitudinal" axis of the ribbon, the fibers all being situated in the same horizontal plane referred to as the plane of the ribbon, and being protected by a common sheath, the method comprising the following steps:a portion of the ribbon is stripped of its sheath;the ribbon is held stationary at two points situated on either side of the stripped portion;a curved anvil is advanced along a displacement axis orthogonal to the horizontal plane so as to tension the portion in such a manner as to incline a part of the stripped portion relative to the horizontal plane; anda cutter is advanced facing the anvil and along a displacement axis parallel or coinciding with that of the anvil to cut the stripped portion in the inclined part.

Abstract: A device for displaying the core (C) of an optical fiber (F) in two directions that are transverse to the fiber (F) includes two light sources illuminating the fiber. Each source emits a beam of light. The beams have different directions D.sub.1 and D.sub.2. The directions lie in a plane that is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis (X) of the fiber (F). An objective lens (L.sub.3, L.sub.4), reception and display components (2, 3) are employed and receive and display images of the fiber (F) produced by the beams. The objective lens is focused in a plane (P) that intercepts the beams from the fiber (F) inside the fiber (F). The angle (.alpha..sub.1, .alpha..sub.2) between either of the directions (D.sub.1, D.sub.2) and the focal axis (Y) of the objective lens (L.sub.3, L.sub.4) is such that the objective lens (L.sub.3, L.sub.4) directly receives the two beams from the fiber (F) with sufficient light intensity to enable the display component to operate.

Abstract: A micro-welder for optical fibers includes a stand having a central support surrounded by two lateral supports or beams. The beams are suitable for moving under drive from a bending movement about respective X-axes. The stand also supports a device for securing optical fibers on the beams and a device for accurately guiding the fibers on the central support. A low accuracy first displacement device is adapted to displace the beams to bring the fibers into end-to-end contact with each other by relative translation movement along their longitudinal Z-axis which is orthogonal to the X-axes. A high accuracy second displacement device is adapted for moving the beams to drive the fibers with accurate relative translation movements along the Z-axis. Two welding electrodes are provided and an optical device which includes a microscope for observing the ends of said optical fibers.

Abstract: A device for use in on-site conditions to obtain a section plane which reproducibly makes an angle of 5.degree., for example, relative to the axis of an optical fiber. The device includes a clamp for holding the fiber at a first point, a rotary clamp for holding the fiber at a second point and for twisting it about the axis of the fiber. The device further includes two jaws for holding the fiber at a third point after it has been twisted by means of the rotary clamp. A convex anvil subjects the fiber to tension after it has been twisted. A diamond cutter is employed for cleaving the fiber. The invention is applicable to providing an optical fiber cutting tool suitable for cutting the fiber obliquely on the worksite.

Abstract: The integrated optical component having a glass substrate including integrated optical waveguides wherein the substrate further includes longitudinal grooves at opposite ends of the central portion thereof, which longitudinal grooves are obtained by machining, using the terminal portions of the waveguides extending beyond said central portion as marks for determining the line of machining, together with two transverse grooves on either side of the central portion of the substrate, with the two grooves being separated by a rib whose height is rectified so as to support each fiber to be connected to a waveguide that opens on the same side as the rib.

Abstract: A cutting tool has four main parts hinged about two axes parallel to the direction of the fiber to but cut. Progressively increasing hand pressure applied by a user enables certain operations to be performed automatically and in succession. Two pairs of jaws are clamped to prevent the fiber from moving between two axially spaced points. The fiber is put under tension by applying an anvil thereagainst, and cleaving is initiated by applying a diamond chisel against the fiber, with cleaving being completed by the tension set up by the anvil. Three springs exert different force couples, thereby determining the order in which these operations occur.

Abstract: The device includes a first jointing component for joining two fibers to two integrated optic outlet waveguides in the glass substrate, these two fibers are mounted touching one another to constitute a sheet which is itself bonded between two plates of glass, and the spacing of the two corresponding waveguides is equal to the diameter of the fibers, said first jointing component together with its fibers and a second jointing component together with another fiber at the inlet waveguide being bonded against said substrate.

Abstract: The device for measuring the energy of an electric arc consists of a supp (1) for at least one optical fiber disposed on the head of an electrode (2) of the arc, the support being made of a plastic material of suitable dielectric strength, one or several optical fibers (10) constrained on the support and one end or ends whereof arrive near the tip of the electrode, an optical connector (15, 16) receiving on the one hand the other end of said fibers(s) and on the other hand the end of an optical fiber cable (17) for connecting with a photoelectric cell (18), a photoelectric cell (18) disposed at some distance from the electrode and electronic means (20) connected to the cell (18) and used to record and display the energy given off by the arc.

Abstract: An automatic machine for welding optical fibers end-to-end comprises a first plate (1) for supporting a first or "reference" fiber (2) and a second plate (5) for supporting a second or "moving" fiber (6). The second plate can be translated along Ox and Oy axes in a plane perpendicular to the axes of the fibers. The ends of the fibers are illuminated by light sources (30, 31), optical systems make images thereof, and optical pick-ups (12, 13, 18, 19) located at the image points provide optical signals representative of the positions of the optical fibers relative to each of said Ox and Oy axes. These signals are converted into electrical signals and are compared by electronic comparators (15, 21) which deliver corresponding error signals to control means (17, 23, 24) for moving the second plate until the moving fiber is in alignment with the reference fiber.

Abstract: Device for sealing a container and process for detecting an attempted break-in with the aid device. In per se known manner, part of the fibres at one end of an optical fibre cable is masked and the other end of the cable is observed on illuminating the first end. According to the invention, the two cable ends are held in a seal, while masking is obtained either with the aid of a masking disk, or with the aid of a high-energy beam, which destroys the end of certain fibres. The second end of the cable is observed either with the aid of a camera, or with the aid of a sighting camera making it possible to mark the coordinates of the unilluminated fibres.

Abstract: A connector for a single optical fiber comprises two half-connectors. Each half-connector comprises three rods for positioning the respective fiber. In the rear half of each half-connector these rods are cylindrical and maintained in position by a retaining ring. A channel for one of the fibers is defined between them. In the front half of each half-connector the rods are machined to form two flats, one on each side of the area of contact with the fiber. These machined portions of the rods are surrounded by a positioning ring. The respective assemblies of machined rods in the two half-connectors are engagable with one another plug-and-socket fashion to effect final alignment of the two fibers, the positioning rings of the two half-connectors at this time each surrounding the six interpenetrating machined rods.