Abstract: Systems and methods for quickly and accurately measuring the concentricity of a core with respect to a ferrule are provided. A beam splitter arrangement is utilized to separately image both the core and the ferrule outer edge using separate imagers. The two images are combined through coordinate transformation so that the offset of the core with respect to the ferrule center can be determined.

Abstract: The splice verification system of the present invention verifies the efficiency of an optical splice by measuring the scattered light escaping from the splice. Specifically, the preferred embodiment performs such scattered light measurement within a photodetection area which is substantially free of all ambient light. Furthermore, the verification system includes a reference power module which, prior to creating an optical splice, measures the level of the optical signal being transmitted out of the end of an active fiber. The present invention then provides means to correlate the level gauged as a reference signal level relative to the amount of scattered light lost from the optical splice. The ratio of these two measured light levels may then be used to determine whether the amount of scattered light lost from the optical splice is acceptable given the particular constraints of the optical system in which the splice is employed.

Abstract: A tool (20) for manipulating an optical fiber splicing device (28) so as to release the fiber ends (30--30) from the splicing device (28) in a manner which allows the same splicing device (28) to be used more than once. The tool (20) includes a body section (22), a spring and lever assembly section (24) and a splice holding and manipulating section (26). The splice holding and manipulating section (26) provides means to hold the splicing (28) to the body section (22) of tool (20). In addition, this section (26) comprises a series of tapered prongs (92) which are aligned so that each prong may be wedged between a housing (82) of the splicing device (28) and a latching mechanism (88) of the splicing device (28). The spring and lever assembly section (24) interacts with the splice holding and manipulating section (26) to control the motion of the tapered prongs (92). The mechanical operation of section (24) is relatively similar to that of the motion control mechanism used in fingernail clippers.