Abstract: A holder capable of holding an optical fiber cable without breaking or damaging the cable includes a holder main body, a fiber holding portion, and a cable holding portion. The main body has a groove for receiving the optical fiber exposed from the cable sheath at an end part of the cable, and a portion for receiving the end part of the cable sheath. A positioning surface with which an end surface of the cable sheath can come in contact is provided at the boundary between the fiber receiving groove and the cable receiving part. A fiber holding portion for pressing and holding the optical fiber received by the fiber receiving groove, and a cable holding portion for pressing and holding the cable sheath received by the cable receiving part, are configured so that holding by the cable holding portion is released in conjunction with the release of holding by the fiber holding portion.

Abstract: A polarization-maintaining optical fiber includes a core region and a cladding region formed around the core region. The cladding region has a refractive index lower than a refractive index of the core region. A refractive index profile of the core region is either one of a step shaped or a concave shaped. The cladding region includes two holes formed in such a manner that a shortest distance from the core region is virtually zero at locations in opposite to each other across the core region.

Abstract: An apparatus for trimming and splicing of optical waveguides is disclosed. One embodiment of the apparatus includes a holding device for holding one of the optical waveguides, a trimming device for trimming of one of the optical waveguides and a control device for controlling a movement of at least one of the holding device and the trimming device. The control device drives at least one of the holding device and the trimming device such that the at least one of the holding device and the trimming device is moved to a first position at which one of the optical waveguides can be trimmed by means of the trimming device.

Abstract: A multi-electrode system comprises a fiber support configured to hold at least one optical fiber and a set of electrodes disposed about the at least one optical fiber and configured to generate arcs between adjacent electrodes to generate a substantially uniform heated field to a circumferential outer surface of the at least one optical fiber. The electrodes can be disposed in at least a partial vacuum.

Abstract: Other end of a built-in optical fiber of a ferrule with one end of the built-in optical fiber matched with a splicing end surface and other end of the built-in optical fiber protruded from an end portion opposite to the splicing end surface and one end of a splicing optical fiber to be spliced are placed is fusion-sliced with the one end of the splicing optical fiber. After that, the ferrule is held by inserting a cylindrical portion of the ferrule into a holding unit of a ferrule holder from the splicing end surface. The ferrule is transferred while holding a stem extended on an opposite side of the holding unit of the ferrule holder and the splicing optical fiber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical module having a structure for reducing adverse contingencies such as increased number of fusion splicing points, drops in output, and higher costs associated with a greater number of optical components. The optical module comprises an amplification optical fiber, a transmission optical fiber, and a fusion splicing structure that fusion-splices the amplification optical fiber to the transmission optical fiber, in a state where a cover layer is removed at the tip portions, including the end faces, of these optical fibers. The fusion splicing structure includes a pumping light removing resin that covers directly the tip portions of the amplification optical fiber and the transmission optical fiber from which the cover layer is removed. The pumping light removing resin has a higher refractive index than a first cladding of the amplification optical fiber.

Abstract: The present invention is a splicing structure of optical fibers for fusing a double clad fiber and a single clad fiber, the splicing structure is provided with a block covering a fusion splicing point of the double clad fiber and the single clad fiber, and which is made of a highly thermal conductive material.

Abstract: A connection method connects an optical connector and an optical transmission element. The optical connector includes a connector housing, a stop-ring structure, and an optical fiber which protrudes from an end part of the stop-ring structure. The optical transmission element includes a tensile-strength fiber body. The connection method includes fuse-connecting a first end of the optical fiber with a second end of an optical fiber protruding from a transmission element terminal part of the optical transmission element; inserting a fuse-connected optical fiber part and the tensile strength fiber body inside a reinforcing sleeve provided with a hot melt body, and covering and bridging the transmission element terminal part and at least the end part of the stop-ring structure; and integrating the fuse-connected optical fiber part, the tensile strength fiber body, the transmission element terminal part, and the stop-ring structure, by a hot melt resin melted from the hot melt body.

Abstract: A side-hole optical cane for measuring pressure and/or temperature is disclosed. The side-hole cane has a light guiding core containing a sensor and a cladding containing symmetrical side-holes extending substantially parallel to the core. The side-holes cause an asymmetric stress across the core of the sensor creating a birefringent sensor. The sensor, preferably a Bragg grating, reflects a first and second wavelength each associated with orthogonal polarization vectors, wherein the degree of separation between the two is proportional to the pressure exerted on the core. The side-hole cane structure self-compensates and is insensitive to temperature variations when used as a pressure sensor, because temperature induces an equal shift in both the first and second wavelengths. Furthermore, the magnitude of these shifts can be monitored to deduce temperature, hence providing the side-hole cane additional temperature sensing capability that is unaffected by pressure.

Abstract: A multi-electrode system includes a fiber holder that holds at least one optical fiber, a plurality of electrodes arranged to generate a heated field to heat the at least one optical fiber, and a vibration mechanism that causes at least one of the electrodes from the plurality of electrodes to vibrate. The electrodes can be disposed in at least a partial vacuum. The system can be used for processing many types of fibers, such processing including, as examples, stripping, splicing, annealing, tapering, and so on. Corresponding fiber processing methods are also provided.

Abstract: An end of a built-in optical fiber of a ferrule is made with one end of the built-in optical fiber matched with a splicing end surface and other end of the built-in optical fiber protruded from an end portion opposite to the splicing end surface and one end of a splicing optical fiber to be spliced are placed is fusion-sliced with the one end of the splicing optical fiber. The ferrule is held by inserting a cylindrical portion of the ferrule into a holding unit of a ferrule holder from the splicing end surface. The ferrule is transferred while holding a stem extended on an opposite side of the holding unit of the ferrule holder and the splicing optical fiber.

Abstract: A device for coupling multimode pump light and a laser signal into or out of a cladding-pumped fibre laser is disclosed, comprising an output optical fibre, a substantially un-tapered feed-through optical fibre, an annular waveguide having a tapered section, and a plurality of multimode pump fibres such that: the signal feed-through fibre is located within the annular waveguide; the signal feed-through fibre is fused into the annular waveguide in the tapered section so that the annular waveguide becomes an additional cladding layer of the feed-through fibre; the end of the feed-through fibre that is fused into the annular waveguide is optically coupled to the output optical fibre; the multimode pump fibres are optically coupled to the annular waveguide in the un-tapered section. Methods of forming the device are also disclosed.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector assembly includes a connector and a carrier. The connector has a first mating end and a second end and an optical fiber terminated thereto. The fiber defines a first end adjacent the mating end and a second end protruding out of the second end of the fiber optic connector. A carrier having a connector end and an oppositely disposed cable end is engaged with the connector. An alignment structure is disposed on the carrier that includes a first end and a second end and a throughhole extending therebetween, the alignment structure including a cutaway portion extending perpendicularly to and communicating with the throughhole. The optical fiber terminated to the fiber optic connector is positioned within at least a portion of the throughhole with the second end of the optical fiber located within the cutaway portion.

Abstract: An imaging system including a multi-mode fiber and a gradient index (GRIN) lens. The invention also relates to a system including a multi-mode fiber, such as a double-clad photonic crystal fiber, for transmitting an excitation signal to a sample for the purpose of imaging, and a scanning mechanism, which preferably includes a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) mirror, for reflecting the excitation signal in varying directions in order to scan the sample.

Abstract: In accordance with various aspects of the present invention, provided is an extremely compact, simple, and cost-effective approach for aligning optical fibers in an optical fiber fusion splicer. The basis of this alignment method is an “S”-Curve Piezo Bending Actuator. The device comprises a thin strip of elastically flexible material (such as spring steel, beryllium copper, or fiber reinforced polymer) that is coated in four areas with a piezoelectric material (such as barium titanate or other known compounds).

Abstract: An optical fiber reinforcement processing apparatus and reinforcement processing method are provided where it is not necessary to dispose a temperature detecting device such as a thermistor, and a heating control in which the detected temperature is not varied, the power consumption is low, and which is accurate is enabled. An optical fiber reinforcement processing apparatus in which a fusion-spliced portion of an optical fiber is covered by a heat-shrinkable reinforcing sleeve to perform reinforcement has: heating controlling means for performing a heating control on a heater which heats the reinforcing sleeve; and temperature detecting means for detecting a heating temperature of the heater on the basis of a change of the resistance of the heater. The heating control and the temperature detection are performed by controlling time periods of turning on/off a power supply to the heater.

Abstract: The present invention is provided for fusion splicing optical fibers with low splice loss even when a shape of a discharge beam for the splicing is distorted. In the present invention, a preliminary discharge is performed with the optical fibers outside a discharge area and an image of the discharge beam thereof is picked up. Based on this image, brightness distributions of the discharge beam are estimated on a plurality of lines in a Z direction that are set in different positions in an X direction, and a discharge center of the beam is found from the plurality of brightness distributions. Then, the abutment portion of the optical fibers is positioned at the discharge center, and a main discharge is performed so as to fusion splice the distal ends of the optical fibers.

Abstract: After aligning the respective end portions of a first and second optical fiber, the first and second optical fibers are heated by an electric arc during a first time period to melt the respective end portions. The end face of at least one of the first and second optical fibers is positioned away from a center of the electric arc by a distance greater than a quarter of the width of the electric arc. After bringing the respective end portions into contact the respective end portions of the first and second optical fibers are heated during a second time period to form a splice joint.

Abstract: A fiber optic splice housing and integral dry mate connector system. In a described embodiment, a fiber optic connection system includes optical fiber sections in respective conduit sections. Each of the conduit sections is received in the housing assembly. An optical connection between the optical fiber sections is positioned within the housing assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for splicing optical waveguides has a memory circuit in which data items which identify a state of the apparatus for splicing the optical waveguides are stored. The memory circuit is used to store data items which identify a state of the optical waveguides to be spliced. Stored data items indicate conditions of the environment in which a splice process has been carried out. The apparatus can be used to record a plurality of data items which can be evaluated for analysis of a splice process, in particular for an analysis of a fault which has occurred during the splice process.

Abstract: A portable workstation for splicing fiber optics has slots that slip over a side of a bucket of an aerial bucket truck. The slots provide for a secure attachment of the workstation to the bucket. The workstation has hand slots so that the workstation is easily manipulated for attaching or removing the workstation to/from the bucket. Within the workstation is a pocket having a cavity for securely holding a fusion splicer. The workstation has a work area, adjacent to the splicer, for holding splicing tools and other materials used for making a fiber optic splice.

Abstract: A splicing device for optical fibers comprises a programmable splicing apparatus which can be controlled by means of at least one program parameter, for connecting optical fibers, and a speech recognition unit. Spoken text is detected via the speech recognition unit, and a spoken command is determined from the detected spoken text. The at least one program parameter of the splicing apparatus is adjusted and/or the splicing apparatus is controlled as a function of the determined spoken command.

Abstract: A multi-electrode system comprises a fiber support configured to hold at least one optical fiber and a set of electrodes disposed about the at least one optical fiber and configured to generate arcs between adjacent electrodes to generate a substantially uniform heated field to a circumferential outer surface of the at least one optical fiber. The electrodes can be disposed in at least a partial vacuum.

Abstract: According to an optical fiber splicing technique in which optical fibers F11 and F12 respectively connected to optical members 3 and 4 of an optical member unit are connected by fusion splicing, the plurality of optical fibers F11 and F12 and a looped turn-around fiber F21 are positioned facing each other and connected by fusion splicing, to connect the plurality of optical fibers F11 and F12 with each other.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming an optical fiber device comprising at least one optical fiber includes a mold having a forming surface, a heating source for heating the mold or the optical fiber, and an insert defining at least one optical fiber locator passage for guiding at least one optical fiber toward the forming surface. A method for forming an optical fiber device from at least one optical fiber includes the steps of heating the optical fiber or a forming surface of a mold to a temperature greater than a melting temperature of the optical fiber; advancing the optical fiber into contact with the forming surface of the mold such that a portion of the optical fiber is formed into a shape inversely corresponding to a shape of the forming surface; and withdrawing the optical fiber from the forming surface.

Abstract: A splicer comprises a positioning device, in which the fiber ends in general have a residual offset. A memory stores a predetermined relationship between the possible offset and a parameter which controls the application of heat. The parameter which controls the application of heat, for example the splicing time for a predetermined splicing current, is defined on the basis of an actual offset which can be recorded by means of cameras.

Abstract: A fusion splicer that can execute fusion splice and reinforcement preparations of optical fibers to be next subjected to reinforcement treatment efficiently at a proper timing by keeping track of the reinforcement treatment progress state to perform fusion splice and reinforcement treatment in parallel with each other is provided. A fusion splicer includes a fusion splicing device for butting optical fiber end parts against each other and fusing them and a reinforcement treatment device for reinforcing the optical fibers subjected to the fusion splice with a reinforcement sleeve covered thereon, and a display for monitoring the state of fusion splice comprises a display function of displaying the progress state of reinforcement treatment. The reinforcement treatment progress state is displayed as temperature rise, heat insulation, cooling information or is displayed as time information or temperature information.

Abstract: A device for providing an expanded mode field from a single mode optical waveguide is formed by fusing a length of single mode optical fiber with a length of fiber rod absent a cladding and adiabatically tapering the fused region. The length of single mode fiber has a core having a refractive index nco and a cladding having a refractive index ncl, wherein ncl<nco and wherein the cladding has an outer diameter ?. The length of fiber rod absent the cladding has a refractive index of the fiber rod is substantially the same as the cladding index ncl of the single mode optical fiber. The outer diameter of the length of fiber rod is ?, the same as the cladding diameter of the single mode fiber.

Abstract: An optical box includes a first part suitable for fastening to an optical fibre distribution cable and a second part having an opening intended for the passage of at least one optical fibre dropped from the distribution cable and at least one optical component positioned in the second part for connecting the dropped optical fibre to at least one optical fibre of a subscriber cable. The second part of the optical box is fastened detachably to the first part of the optical box. The optical box combines the dropping and splicing of optical fibres in a single optical box.

Abstract: A holder capable of protecting an optical connector ferrule from an external shock, or the like and executing a fusion-splice of a short optical fiber not to take out the optical connector ferrule from the holder is obtained. A holder for holding a connector plug equipped with an optical connector ferrule to which a short optical fiber is fitted and a plug frame for covering an outer periphery of the optical connector ferrule therein, wherein, when the short optical fiber together with the holder is fitted to a fusion splicing apparatus that fusion-splices the short optical fiber and other coated optical fiber, the short optical fiber extended from the plug frame is positioned in a fusion position.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for thermal connection of at least two optical fibers having a first positioning unit associated with the first optical fibers and a second positioning unit associated with the second optical fibers. The positioning units move ends of the first and of the second optical fibers relative to one another to a position which allows thermal connection. The apparatus also has a heat source with a first component and a second component which are arranged along an axis. An observation device is used to determine the distance of the end of at least one of the at least two optical fibers from the axis. The observation device is coupled to a control apparatus that adjusts at least one control parameter for the heat source as a function of the determined distance.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods and systems for a transmissive liquid crystal display including a plurality of pixel circuits, each pixel circuit including a reflective region and a transmissive region. The reflective region includes a polarization dependent reflector for reflecting ambient light. The reflective and transmissive regions include an initially homogeneously aligned liquid crystal layer sandwiched between a first and a second substrate. Each pixel further includes at least one first transparent electrode as the common electrode and at least one second transparent electrode as the pixel electrode both formed on one of the same first and second substrates, wherein substantial fringe fields with rich horizontal electric fields are generated in the liquid crystal layer when voltage is applied to the pixel electrode, making the liquid crystal molecules rotate mainly in the horizontal direction to achieve wide viewing angle.

Abstract: In positioning or aligning ends of optical fibers in relation to each other an offset distance between the fiber ends, the offset distance e.g. being the distance between predetermined reference positions in the fiber ends, is stepwise adjusted using a cascade technique. The method can be executed accurately and fast and be used e.g. in a procedure for core alignment, the predetermined reference positions then being the positions of the cores of the fiber ends such as the positions of the center lines or axes of the cores. Also, the method can be used in a procedure in which the self-focusing effect of optical fibers is used for finding the reference positions, which in this case are the positions of the center lines or axes of the total fiber ends, i.e. center lines or axes of the surfaces of the claddings of the optical fiber ends. Finally, the method can be used for the longitudinal positioning of the fiber ends in which the gap between end surfaces of the fiber ends is set to a desired value.

Abstract: An optical connector kit includes a ferrule-with-optical-fiber and an accommodating housing for accommodating all connector parts constituting an optical connector, including the ferrule-with-optical-fiber. An optical fiber having a predetermined length is attached to the ferrule of the ferrule-with-optical-fibers, for which end face polishing processing is carried out. The connector parts include a plurality of connector parts into which another optical fiber is inserted when the rear end of the optical fiber of the ferrule-with-optical-fiber and the tip end of another optical fiber are fusion-spliced. In the accommodating housing, the connector parts are arranged in a line in the order of insertion of another optical fiber.

Abstract: A method for connecting optical fibers comprises determining the position of the core of a fiber. In response to heating, the optical fibers emit light of which an image can be recorded. The position of the core and/or the eccentricity of the fiber is determined from the recorded image. The core position and/or eccentricity can be used to align fibers for a subsequent fusion splicing operation. The process is suitable for, for example, bend optimized optical fibers.

Abstract: In the manufacture of an optical attenuator having a desired value of the optical loss end regions of two optical fibers are placed with an offset in the traverse direction in relation to each other and having their end surface at each other. Thereafter the region at end surfaces is heated to make the ends melt to each other and the heating is then further continued. To achieve the desired loss in the finished attenuating splice the further heating is stopped for an optical loss exceeding the desired loss by a calculated value. This value can be obtained from measurements in real time of the loss for the splice during the continued heating. The measurements can be made at the beginning and end of an interrupt of the further heating. An attenuator manufactured in this way obtains an attenuation that accurately agrees with the desired value.

Abstract: An optical module includes a fusion splicing optical fiber and a ferrule. The fusion splicing optical fiber includes a first optical fiber including optical fiber ends and a first optical fiber core, a second optical fiber including optical fiber ends and a second optical fiber core, and a fused portion splicing the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber spliced between the optical fiber ends. The ferrule includes a first port, a second port, a third port, a first end surface arranged the first port and the second port, a second end surface arranged the third port, and a ferrule housing the fused portion and the first optical fiber ends and the second optical fiber ends.

Abstract: An optical fiber holder automatically corrects the tendency of a buffered optical fiber to bend, can position an optical fiber so as to make contact with the V groove, and can readily perform an operation for positioning the optical fiber. The optical fiber holder includes a base stage having a groove configured and arranged to accommodate a buffered optical fiber or an optical fiber ribbon; and a lid that is disposed above the groove. The lid is openable and closeable and has a restraining member. The restraining member includes a contacting part configured and arranged to bend the buffered optical fiber or optical fiber ribbon.

Abstract: The present invention is provided for fusion splicing optical fibers with low splice loss even when a shape of a discharge beam for the splicing is distorted. In the present invention, a preliminary discharge is performed with the optical fibers outside a discharge area and an image of the discharge beam thereof is picked up. Based on this image, brightness distributions of the discharge beam are estimated on a plurality of lines in a Z direction that are set in different positions in an X direction, and a discharge center of the beam is found from the plurality of brightness distributions. Then, the abutment portion of the optical fibers is positioned at the discharge center, and a main discharge is performed so as to fusion splice the distal ends of the optical fibers.

Abstract: A fiber optic probe for capable of simultaneously enhancing fluorescent emission collection and reducing stray excitation light noise levels while detecting the presence or absence of one or more substances within a medium. The probe includes an illuminating optical fiber for guiding excitation light from a light source to be launched from an end face of the illuminating optical fiber. A film or an immersion medium emits light when illuminated by the excitation light. The emitted light has a central wavelength that is different than a central wavelength of the excitation light. A receiving optical fiber receives and guides the emitted light. The receiving fiber may be a photonic crystal fiber having an end portion which is a solid segment of glass for improved light collection efficiency. A lens may be provided at the end of the receiving fiber. A detector detects light from the receiving optical fiber.

Abstract: A double clad fiber includes a core, a first cladding provided so as to cover the core, and a second cladding provided so as to cover the first cladding. The second cladding has a plurality of pores extending in a length direction and arranged so as to surround the first cladding. In at least one fiber end, the second cladding has been removed by mechanical processing so that the at least one fiber end is formed by the core and the first cladding.

Abstract: A device for splicing optical waveguides comprises a heating unit for heating fiber ends of optical waveguides to be spliced. The optical waveguides are heated by means of the heating unit for a time period, with the heated fiber ends emitting thermal radiation. The thermal radiation is detected in the form of intensity distributions at two different times by a recording unit. Quotients which represent a measure of the splicing temperature which occurs during the splicing process can be determined from the intensity values of the detected intensity distributions. The welding current can be varied as a function of a set value of the quotient, by a comparison with the determined quotient, in order in this way to match the splicing temperature to a desired value.

Abstract: A method of connecting a holey fiber to an optical fiber includes fusion splicing an end surface of the holey fiber and an end surface of the optical fiber thereby forming a joint section; and stretching the joint section while heating by pulling the holey fiber and the optical fiber away from each other in a longitudinal direction until an outer diameter of the joint section attains a predetermined value.

Abstract: An optical fiber/glass tube fusion spliced structure includes an optical fiber made of glass and a glass tube through which the optical fiber is inserted and at least in part of the optical fiber/glass tube fusion spliced structure, an outer circumference portion of the optical fiber and an inner circumference portion of the glass tube are fusion spliced. Part of the fusion spliced portion located in one of the optical fiber and the glass tube is formed of a material having a lower fusion point than a fusion point of part of the fusion spliced portion located in the other.

Abstract: A fiber Chirped Pulse Amplification (CPA) laser system includes a photonics band gap (PBG) fiber to function as a compressor. The PBG fiber is spliced with a fiber end cap that has an core expander for increasing a mode area of the PBG fiber. With increased mode area, the laser system is enabled to sustain an increased damage threshold energy thus is capable of producing short pulse laser with higher pulse energy.

Abstract: The present invention is a splicing structure of optical fibers for fusing a double clad fiber and a single clad fiber, the splicing structure is provided with a block covering a fusion splicing point of the double clad fiber and the single clad fiber, and which is made of a highly thermal conductive material.

Abstract: Methods for splicing optical fibers include coupling a first optical fiber cable to a longitudinally extending closure frame and coupling a second optical fiber cable to an adjustable guide member on the closure frame. The adjustable guide member is moved toward the first optical fiber cable to provide a distance between the first and second optical fiber cable less than an exposed length of the first and second optical fiber therebetween to provide a slack length of optical fiber. Cleaved exposed ends of a first optical fiber from the first optical fiber cable and a second optical fiber from the second optical fiber cable are positioned proximate each other in a splice station displaced from the closure frame utilizing the slack length of optical fiber. The first and second optical fibers are spliced in the splice station and the adjustable guide member is moved away the first optical fiber cable to remove the slack length and position the spliced optical fibers in the closure frame.

Abstract: Other end of a built-in optical fiber of a ferrule with one end of the built-in optical fiber matched with a splicing end surface and other end of the built-in optical fiber protruded from an end portion opposite to the splicing end surface and one end of a splicing optical fiber to be spliced are placed is fusion-sliced with the one end of the splicing optical fiber. After that, the ferrule is held by inserting a cylindrical portion of the ferrule into a holding unit of a ferrule holder from the splicing end surface. The ferrule is transferred while holding a stem extended on an opposite side of the holding unit of the ferrule holder and the splicing optical fiber.

Abstract: A device for providing an expanded mode field from a single mode optical waveguide is formed by fusing a length of single mode optical fiber with a length of fiber rod absent a cladding and adiabatically tapering the fused region. The length of single mode fiber has a core having a refractive index nco and a cladding having a refractive index ncl, wherein ncl<nco and wherein the cladding has an outer diameter ?. The length of fiber rod absent the cladding has a refractive index of the fiber rod is substantially the same as the cladding index ncl of the single mode optical fiber. The outer diameter of the length of fiber rod is ?, the same as the cladding diameter of the single mode fiber.

Abstract: A filled-core optical fiber (100) spliced to conventional, solid core optical transmission fiber (175) and a related method of making the same are provided. The optical fiber (100) comprises a core region (140), a cladding ring (120) enclosing the core region (120), and an outer cladding layer (160). A fill hole (115) is formed in the optical fiber (100) which extends from an outer sidewall (110) to the core region (140). The fill hole (115) is for introducing optical material (165) into the core region (140). The optical material (165) is introduced into the core region (140) after opposing ends (121, 122) of the optical fiber (100) are spliced to the free ends (176, 176) of conventional, solid core optical transmission fiber (175). The optical material (165) is introduced into core region (140) after splicing to avoid damage to the optical material (165) due to exposure to high temperatures generated during splicing.