Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a polymeric overcoating used as a splice protector, and a corresponding method of application where the resulting coated fusion spliced optical fibers or coated fusion spliced optical fiber ribbons can be bundled or stacked to reduce the size of splice protection.

Abstract: Disclosed are semiconductor packages and manufacturing method of the semiconductor packages. In one embodiment, a semiconductor package includes a substrate, a first waveguide, a semiconductor die, and an adhesive layer. The first waveguide is disposed on the substrate. The semiconductor die is disposed on the substrate and includes a second waveguide aligned with the first waveguide. The adhesive layer is disposed between the first waveguide and the second waveguide.

Abstract: A closure includes a cover and seal block. A feeder cable pathway and rear cover is provided for separation of feeder cables from drop cables. The organizer in the closure includes an end cap and rear cable storage. Cable fixation clips, linear or bendable, can be used individually or daisy chained together. Cable fixation chambers are positioned on top of the gel block housing. The organizer is a click together organizer. Dual heights on cable guides on sides of the groove plate facilitate cable installation. Tray supports with rounded ends prevent looseness of the tray mounts. Other organizers include cable routing features for compact storage.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector includes a ferrule holder configured to receive a ferrule that terminates an optical fiber cable, a connector sub-assembly configured to receive an optical fiber cable and to hold the ferrule holder, a connector body configured to hold the connector sub-assembly, a shroud configured to encircle the connector body, and a housing configured to encircle a portion of the shroud. The connector body is configured to include a first mating member and a second mating member. The first mating member is configured to include a cantilevered flange, and the second mating member is configured to include a groove on an inner surface of the second mating member. The cantilevered flange is configured to engage with the groove to securely fasten the first mating member with the second mating member.

Abstract: A fiber optical connector includes a connector housing and an optical-fiber component. The connector housing comprises a receiving space. One end of the connector housing forms a connector opening communicating with the receiving space. Two side walls of the connector housing comprise a plurality of buckling portions adjacent to the connector opening. The optical-fiber component is positioned in the receiving space. The optical-fiber component comprises a sleeve piece. The sleeve piece comprises a block member and a threaded portion. The block member is assembled in the connector opening and the block member fully received inside the receiving space. Two sides of the block member respectively form an engaging portion. Each of the engaging portions is engaged with the corresponding buckling portion, and the threaded portion is exposed on the peripheral surface of a tail portion of the sleeve piece and out of the connector opening.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an optical splice package for splicing together first and second optical fibers or first and second sets of optical fibers. The optical fibers have elastic bending characteristics. The splice package includes a splice housing including a mechanical alignment feature for co-axially aligning ends of the first and second optical fibers or sets of optical fibers within the splice housing. The splice housing contains adhesive for securing the ends of the first and second optical fibers or sets of optical fibers within the splice housing. The optical package has a weight less than a spring force corresponding to the elastic bending characteristics of the first and second optical fibers or sets of optical fibers.

Abstract: An optical module for endoscope includes an optical element, an optical fiber, a ferrule including a first principal surface, a second principal surface, and a side surface, an opening of an insertion hole being present on the first principal surface, the insertion hole having a bottom surface made of a transparent material, the optical fiber being inserted into the insertion hole, the optical element being bonded to the second principal surface, an opening of a groove connected to the insertion hole being present on the first principal surface, the grove having a bottom surface made of the transparent material, and transparent resin disposed in the insertion hole and the groove of the ferrule.

Abstract: In various examples, a fiber-optic-splice enclosure may be suitable for use in various applications, environments, and use conditions. In at least some embodiments, the fiber-optic-splice enclosure includes an adjustable length, which may permit the fiber-optic-splice enclosure to be customized to fit various lengths of a spliced region. In a further aspect, the fiber-optic-splice enclosure may include a splice retainer to attenuate vibrational and other forces and reduce potential effects of those forces on the splice. Moreover, in some other aspects, the construction of the fiber-optic-splice enclosure may allow for relatively straightforward and efficient assembly. For example, a key and keyway configuration between different components of the fiber-optic-splice enclosure may permit the components to selectively slide relative to one another or be engaged to one another.

Abstract: Systems and methods for collecting information regarding optical connections in an FDH are disclosed. An example FDH includes: a bulkhead having a plurality of passive optical couplers, each of the plurality of passive optical couplers having a respective first port adapted to receive an end of a respective first optical fiber, a respective second port adapted to receive an end of a respective second optical fiber, and a respective passive optical activity indicator configured to expose (i) a portion of first light propagating in the respective first optical fiber when the first optical fiber is received in the first port, and (ii) a portion of second light propagating in the respective second optical fiber when the second optical fiber is received in the second port; and an image sensor configured to capture one or more images of the respective passive optical activity indicators of the plurality of passive optical couplers.

Abstract: A fiber optic coupling device comprises an elastomeric body. The elastomeric body includes first and second sides with a deformable alignment passage extending there between. The deformable alignment passage is configured to elastically center opposing first and second optical fibers. The deformable alignment passage includes a first portion that is configured to receive the first optical fiber having a first core. The deformable alignment passage also includes an opposing second portion that is configured to receive the second optical fiber having a second core. The first portion and the opposing second portion of the alignment passage are defined by a common encompassing periphery, and meet at a common location within the alignment passage to present the core of the received first optical fiber in coaxial alignment with the core of the received second optical fiber.

Abstract: A method of protecting a fusion splice of first and second fiber optic cables includes: (a) providing a first member; (b) providing a second member formed of an activatable material; (c) positioning the fusion splice adjacent the first member and the second member; and (d) activating the second member to cause the second member to flow over the fusion splice and to engage the first member such that the activatable material at least partially surrounds the fusion splice.

Abstract: The present embodiment relates to an optical fiber line or the like configured by connecting a single-mode optical fiber with a cladding containing fluorine and a large Aeff optical fiber by TEC connection, and a connection state between such two types of optical fibers is set such that a connection loss expressed in dB of a fundamental mode is equal to or less than 55% of an ideal butt loss expressed in dB at a wavelength of 1550 nm.

Abstract: Provided is a method for producing a multicore optical fiber (MCF) in which variations in positions of cores relative to the outer shape of the MCF are small. The method includes: an integrating step of heating a common cladding tube and a core rods, thereby integrating the tube with the core rods to form a core-cladding composite body including a plurality of cores and a common cladding and having a noncircular cross-sectional shape; an outline detecting step of detecting the outline of the composite body; an optical fiber preform forming step of machining the outer circumferential surface of the composite body using results obtained in the outline detecting step to form the preform having a flat surface; and a drawing step of drawing one end of the preform under heating to obtain the MCF. Also provided is a MCF for which a rotation alignment operation is easily performed.

Abstract: An optical housing for high power fiber components includes an upper cover, a lower base, and two isolating members. The upper cover includes a light-reflecting portion for containing the optical fiber and receiving and reflecting the light therefrom. The lower base is connected with the upper cover and includes a light-receiving portion which corresponds to the light-reflecting portion in position and surrounds the optical fiber, thereby receives the light from the light-reflecting portion. The isolating members are disposed between the upper cover and the lower base and located on two sides of the optical housing to prevent the leakage of light from the optical fiber.

Abstract: Embodiments of present invention provide a method of splicing optical fibers. The method includes holding a first and a second fiber respectively by a first and a second rotary clamp; aligning axes of the first and second fibers to a common reference; moving the first and second fibers that are being held by the first and second rotary clamps onto a splicing machine; and causing the first and second fibers being spliced together by the splicing machine. A fiber splicing apparatus or system is also provided for performing the method thereof.

Abstract: Embodiments of present invention provide a method of splicing optical fibers. The method includes holding a first and a second fiber respectively by a first and a second rotary clamp; aligning axes of the first and second fibers to a common reference; moving the first and second fibers that are being held by the first and second rotary clamps onto a splicing machine; and causing the first and second fibers being spliced together by the splicing machine. A fiber splicing apparatus or system is also provided for performing the method thereof.

Abstract: A ferrule for a high density optical fiber connector, supporting a first set of optical fibers of a first fiber cable and a second set of optical fibers of a second fiber cable. The ferrule supports the first and second sets of optical fibers in at least one plane. In one embodiment, the first set of optical fibers are supported in a first row of open grooves, and the second set of optical fibers are supported in a second row of open grooves. The optical fibers in the first row are staggered with respect to the optical fibers of the second row. The ferrule comprises two halves, each having an open structure that has a row of open grooves precisely formed thereon in a plane. In another embodiment, the ferrule supports the first and second sets of optical fibers in a single row, in an alternating interleaving manner.

Abstract: A sterile drape for a C-arm X-ray device includes a slide rail assembly configured to be connected to a C-arm of an X-ray device that extends from a lower portion of the C-arm to an upper portion of the C-arm. The sterile drape further comprises a sterile drape assembly comprising a length of compliant material, the sterile drape assembly configured to be detachably coupled to the upper portion of the C-arm and to the slide rail assembly. The sterile drape also comprises an anchor assembly configured to be connected to the C-arm X-ray device at one end and configured to be connected to the sterile drape assembly at the other end so that the anchor assembly draws the sterile drape assembly along the slide rail assembly as the C-arm is rotated.

Abstract: An electronic device including a casing, an optical fiber connector and a protecting cover is provided. The case includes an opening and a first engaging member. The optical fiber connector is disposed in the opening. The protecting cover is disposed at the opening and includes a second engaging member movably engaged with the first engaging member so that the optical fiber connector is exposed or shielded by the protecting cover. An optical fiber connector having a connecting port, a first engaging member and a protecting cover is further provided. The first engaging member is disposed besides the connecting port. A second engaging member of the protecting cover is movably disposed at the first engaging member so that the protecting cover exposes or shields the connecting port. The protecting cover is capable of fixing an optical fiber cable and shielding a light emitted from the optical fiber connector.

Abstract: An optical active fiber is configured with an asymmetrically-shaped core having at least one long axis and a shortest axis which extends transversely to the long axis. The outmost cladding of the active fiber is configured with a marking indicating the orientation of the short axis. The marking allows for bending the fiber so that the shortest axis extends along and lies in the plane of the bend thereby minimizing distortion of a mode which is guided by the asymmetrically-shaped core as light propagates along the bend.

Abstract: In aligning ends of optical fibers, e.g. for performing a prealignment of ends of large mode area double-clad fibers (LMA-DCFs) in order to thereafter perform a core alignment process, in a fiber optic fusion splicer a best, optimum or near optimum position or setting of the optical system for observing the self-focusing effect is first determined and then the very alignment operation may be performed using the determined setting. The very alignment process may then be performed by adjusting stepwise the offset distance between the observed fiber ends by e.g. using a cascade technique.

Abstract: Method of ribbonizing a plurality of optical fibers (103) and ribbonizing apparatus for optical fibers, comprising a tablet (101) including fiber aligning means (104, 105) for aligning a plurality of optical fibers (103) in parallel, the ribbonizing apparatus being configured to be movably arranged in a splicing apparatus (102) when the plurality of optical fibers (103) is aligned in the tablet (101), and to be removed from the splicing apparatus (102) after a splicing process, so that the plurality of optical fibers (103) is not damaged due to mechanical stress.

Abstract: An assembly and method for splicing optical fibers is provided. A termination assembly may include a housing having an engagement element for engagement with an engagement component of a fixture and a support or splicer joint between which a first optical fiber extends in a longitudinal direction. A locking mechanism or a splicer joint may be operable to be biased against the first optical fiber to maintain an end of the first optical fiber at the support or the splicer joint fixed in position and only in a predetermined alignment with an end of a second optical fiber fixedly supported by the support or the splicer joint, such that the end of the second optical fiber is fixed at a predetermined orientation and a predetermined position at the support associated with the predetermined alignment by engagement of the engagement element with the engagement component.

Abstract: An LC format optical connector for terminating an optical fiber includes a housing configured to mate with an LC receptacle. A backbone is configured to engage an outer surface of the outer shell of the housing and includes a mounting structure that is configured to engage a boot. A collar body is retained between the outer shell and the backbone and includes a fiber stub disposed in a first portion of the collar body, the fiber stub being mounted in a ferrule. A mechanical splice is disposed in a second portion of the collar body, the mechanical splice configured to splice the fiber stub to the optical fiber. The backbone also includes a fiber jacket clamping portion to clamp a jacket portion that surrounds a portion of the optical fiber upon actuation.

Abstract: A multicore fiber includes a first multicore fiber member and a second multicore fiber member, one end face of the first multicore fiber member being spliced to one end face of the second multicore fiber member, wherein at least two core end faces of multiple cores in the first multicore fiber member are spliced one-to-one to core end faces of multiple cores in the second multicore fiber member, and, among the cores in the first multicore fiber member and the cores in the second multicore fiber member spliced one-to-one at the core end faces, at least one core in the first multicore fiber member and one core in the second multicore fiber member spliced thereto have different effective core areas, and an open end face of the core having the larger effective core area is a face which light enters.

Abstract: A method of repairing an embedded optical fiber of a composite material structure including an embedded optical fiber embedded in a composite material, includes removing a portion of the composite material including a damaged portion of the embedded optical fiber to form an opening portion; polishing an end surface of the embedded optical fiber exposed in the opening portion and an end surface of the composite material exposed in the opening portion; and performing position adjustment such that a core of the polished embedded optical fiber and a core of a replacement optical fiber are aligned with each other, butting the end surface of the embedded optical fiber and an end surface of the replacement optical fiber with each other, and connecting the end surface of the embedded optical fiber and the end surface of the replacement optical fiber together.

Abstract: An optical connector to which an optical fiber cord including an optical fiber ribbon and a sheath is to be attached includes: a ferrule member a fusion splice protection sleeve, housing and a fixing member. The ferrule member holds a plurality of embedded fibers which are to be fusion-spliced respectively to a plurality of optical fibers constituting the optical fiber ribbon. The fusion splice protection sleeve protects a fusion-spliced portion. The housing houses the ferrule member and the fusion splice protection sleeve. The housing has, at the rear end, a recess for receiving a bifurcated portion of the sheath. The fixing member fixes the sheath to the housings and by holding it.

Abstract: A vibration monitoring system for an electrical submersible pump (ESP) that includes a fiber optic cable coupled with the ESP and an optical sensor coupled with the fiber optic cable. The optical sensor emits electromagnetic radiation into the fiber optic cable, some of which reflects back from optical discontinuities provided in the fiber optic cable. By receiving the reflected electromagnetic radiation, the optical sensor estimates the location of the optical discontinuities. Displacement and rate of displacement of the optical discontinuities can be estimated when the reflections are received over a period of time. Because the fiber optic cable, and the optical discontinuities, move with the ESP, displacement measurements of the optical discontinuities correlate to ESP movement, including ESP vibration.

Abstract: A fiber optic assembly includes first and second fiber optic ribbons and a splice protector. Each of the first and second fiber optic ribbons includes a plurality of optical fibers coupled in a substantially flat arrangement, where the optical fibers are aligned side-by-side with one another. The optical fibers of the first ribbon are fusion spliced with the optical fibers of the second ribbon such that the spliced ribbons at the splice have a common lengthwise axis, widthwise axis orthogonal to the lengthwise axis, and thickness axis orthogonal to the lengthwise and widthwise axes. The splice protector supports the optical fibers of the first and second fiber optic ribbons that are spliced to one another at the splice. The splice protector includes an ultra-violet light (UV-) curable adhesive that provides a flexible support for the splice, and is at least half as flexible when cured over the splice as the first and second ribbons in bending about the widthwise axis.

Abstract: A method for connecting optical fibers and a connection structure of optical fibers capable of suppressing axial misalignment between cores in end-to-end connection of optical fibers at least one of which has a clad for a non-circular shape.

Abstract: The invention provides and apparatus for mechanically splicing fiber optic cables and method for performing the process. The apparatus comprises an inventive segmented track with a middle track segment containing a splicer mount, and first and second rotating track segments on opposed sides of a middle segment, the rotating segments moving from a cleaving orientation wherein the rotating track segments align with a respective flat edge angled cleaver and a rounded edge angled cleaver, to a splicing orientation wherein the rotating track segments align with the middle track segment. First and second fiber key holders securely holding partially stripped fiber optic cables move along the respective first and second track segment for cleaving by the cleavers and then toward the middle track segment where their cleaved tips come into controlled aligned contact within a splicer joint contained in the splicer joint mount.

Abstract: A fiber optic mechanical splicer includes: a fiber connection base including a plurality of insertion parts, fiber connection parts, and auxiliary protuberances, the insertion parts being formed at lengthwise opposite sides of the fiber connection base, each of the insertion parts having an insertion hole through which an optical cable is inserted, the fiber connection parts being formed between and integrally with the insertion parts, the fiber connection parts having a connection groove formed at a central portion of the fiber connection parts and extending in a lengthwise direction of the fiber connection parts and insertion grooves formed at opposite ends of the connection groove, each of the insertion grooves being narrower in a downward direction, each of the auxiliary protuberance protruding upward from edges of the fiber connection parts; a base cover assembled with the fiber connection base while covering the fiber connection parts, the base cover being supported by the auxiliary protuberances; and o

Abstract: An optical ferrule assembly is disclosed. The optical ferrule assembly comprises a ferrule body, a notch part, a retainer and an annular member. The ferrule body includes an optical fiber loading hole extending therethough in a longitudinal direction. The notch part is formed in the ferrule body and has a flat surface which receives the optical fiber loading hole. The retainer is arranged in the notch part and has a lower abutting surface opposing to the flat surface and an inclined abutting surface formed on one end side of the lower abutting surface. The annular member fits on an outer periphery of the ferrule body. When the annular member is brought into contact with a portion of an outer peripheral surface of the retainer on one end side thereof, the inclined abutting surface is opposed to the flat surface, and the lower abutting surface is inclined to the flat surface and separated from the flat surface.

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: An apparatus for splicing of optical waveguide sections is in the form of a handheld splicer. The splicer comprises a preprocessing unit, which may comprise a plurality of processing devices for carrying out removal, cleaning and cutting steps. The optical waveguide sections are clamped in a holding apparatus and are prepared in the preprocessing unit. The holding apparatuses are inserted with the prepared optical waveguide sections into a splicing unit, where they are spliced. The spliced optical waveguide sections can be fed by means of a transfer station to a shrinking oven for shrinking a shrink sleeve on. The preprocessing unit, the splicing unit and the shrinking oven can be controlled by means of one hand of an operator, while the splicer is held with the other hand.

Abstract: A method of butting and connecting a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber in an optical connector comprises placing said optical connector that holds said first optical fiber in wherein an optical fiber connection tool; mounting said optical fiber holder on a holder mounting base of a front end bevel processing tool; processing a front end face of said second optical fiber such that said front end face of said second optical fiber is beveled relative to the surface perpendicular to the optical fiber axis direction; transferring said optical fiber holder to said holder support base; and moving said optical fiber holder toward said optical connector along said guide part, and butting and connecting the beveled front end face of said second optical fiber to the front end face of said first optical fiber such that their bevel directions are aligned.

Abstract: A method for connecting optical fibers and a connection structure of optical fibers capable of suppressing axial misalignment between cores in end-to-end connection of optical fibers at least one of which has a clad for a non-circular shape.

Abstract: An assembly and method for splicing optical fibers is provided. A termination assembly may include a housing having an engagement element for engagement with an engagement component of a fixture and a support or splicer joint between which a first optical fiber extends in a longitudinal direction. A locking mechanism or a splicer joint may be operable to be biased against the first optical fiber to maintain an end of the first optical fiber at the support or the splicer joint fixed in position and only in a predetermined alignment with an end of a second optical fiber fixedly supported by the support or the splicer joint, such that the end of the second optical fiber is fixed at a predetermined orientation and a predetermined position at the support associated with the predetermined alignment by engagement of the engagement element with the engagement component.

Abstract: Disclosed are fiber optic connectors including a holder for attaching a fiber optic cable to a fiber optic connector along with cable assemblies and methods for making the same. In one embodiment, the holder includes a first and a second cantilevered arm that are squeezed together when a sleeve is placed over the holder. Further, one or more of the cantilevered arm may include a plurality of teeth for “biting” into the cable jacket and providing a suitable fiber optic cable retention force. The fiber optic connectors, cable assemblies and methods disclosed herein are advantageous since they allow the craft to quickly, reliably, and easily attach a robust fiber optic cable to a connector, thereby providing a rugged solution for the craft.

Abstract: A method of repairing an embedded optical fiber of a composite material structure including an embedded optical fiber embedded in a composite material, includes removing a portion of the composite material including a damaged portion of the embedded optical fiber to form an opening portion; polishing an end surface of the embedded optical fiber exposed in the opening portion and an end surface of the composite material exposed in the opening portion; and performing position adjustment such that a core of the polished embedded optical fiber and a core of a replacement optical fiber are aligned with each other, butting the end surface of the embedded optical fiber and an end surface of the replacement optical fiber with each other, and connecting the end surface of the embedded optical fiber and the end surface of the replacement optical fiber together.

Abstract: An optical fiber structure (10) includes an optical fiber (11a), and a block-like chip (12) joined to the optical fiber (11a). The block-like chip (12) is tapered toward its fiber-joined end.

Abstract: An apparatus for mechanically splicing two optic fiber cores, including two holder bodies, moveable relative to each other, each of which includes a retaining device configured to receive, and hold, end sections of said optic fiber cores; and a scoring device coupled with the holder bodies and operable to move along a trajectory relative to the holder bodies, each retaining device being arranged so that said end sections extend therefrom through said trajectory, wherein the scoring device scores the end sections of said optic fiber cores upon movement along the trajectory, and further movement of the scoring device along the trajectory forces the holder bodies away from each other to cleave the end sections of the optic fiber cores; and relative movement of the holder bodies brings cleaved end sections together to affect mechanical splicing of the optic fiber core.

Abstract: A controlled radius splice protector includes a first fiber optic fiber, a second fiber optic fiber, a fiber splice connecting the first fiber optic fiber and the second fiber optic fiber, a hot melted splice tubing extending over the fiber splice and a jacket tubing receiving the hot melted splice tubing and pre-formed to a selected bend radius.

Abstract: An optical connector of the present invention includes a ferrule to which an internal optical fiber is embedded and an end face grinding is performed; and a connection mechanism which extends to an opposite side of a connection end face of the ferrule, wherein the optical connector butt connects the internal optical fiber and an insert optical fiber which is inserted from outside within a positioning groove provided at the connection mechanism; and a back end side of an end face of the internal optical fiber which butts to the insert optical fiber is made a beveled end face by cutting process.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable assembly includes a connector and a fiber optic cable. The connector includes a housing having a first axial end and an oppositely disposed second axial end. A ferrule is disposed in the housing. A plurality of optical fibers is mounted in the ferrule. The fiber optic cable includes an outer jacket defining a fiber passage that extends longitudinally through the outer jacket and a window that extends through the outer jacket and the fiber passage. First and second strength members are oppositely disposed about the fiber passage in the outer jacket. A plurality of optical fibers is disposed in the fiber passage. The optical fibers are joined at splices to the optical fibers of the connector. A splice sleeve is disposed over the splices. The splice sleeve is disposed in the window of the outer jacket.

Abstract: Apparatus and methodology for mechanically splicing two optical fibers of equal or different diameters. Instead of flat V-groove structure for holding the optical fibers to be spliced, embodiments of the present invention use a concave-walled channel to better align two optical fibers if they have different diameters. The cover holding the fibers in place in the concave channel is similarly curved. The improved alignment results in more area overlap between end surfaces of the two optical fibers to be spliced. This reduces insertion loss by 0.1 dB or better, at the splice junction and, therefore, improves light signal transmission. The radius of curvature of the concave structure can be approximately two to three times the radius of the optical fibers being spliced.

Abstract: A communication media having a first media portion defining a first end, a second media portion having first and second ends, the first end of the second communication media fused to the first end of the first media portion at a media joint, the second media portion configured to transmit data received from the first media portion; and a support sleeve disposed about the media joint. The support sleeve defines an end face, the second end of the second communication media terminating at an end surface parallel with the end face, the end face configured to be selectively connected to a media component.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a non-transitory processor-readable medium storing code includes code to cause a processor to receive an image signal associated with an image of an end face of a polarization-maintaining optical fiber (PM fiber), determine a center position of the PM fiber, perform a local image equalization on the end face, and define an edge map of the end face. The code can perform a Hough space analysis on the edge map to determine the center position of a first structure and/or a second structure on the end face. The first structure and the second structure can each define at least in part a birefringence of the PM fiber. A birefringence axis of the PM fiber can be calculated based on at least two of the center position of the PM fiber, the center position of the first structure and the center position of the second structure.

Abstract: The invention provides and apparatus for mechanically splicing fiber optic cables and method for performing the process. The apparatus comprises an inventive segmented track with a middle track segment containing a splicer mount, and first and second rotating track segments on opposed sides of a middle segment, the rotating segments moving from a cleaving orientation wherein the rotating track segments align with a respective flat edge angled cleaver and a rounded edge angled cleaver, to a splicing orientation wherein the rotating track segments align with the middle track segment. First and second fiber key holders securely holding partially stripped fiber optic cables move along the respective first and second track segment for cleaving by the cleavers and then toward the middle track segment where their cleaved tips come into controlled aligned contact within a splicer joint contained in the splicer joint mount.

Abstract: In aligning ends of optical fibers (13), e.g. for performing a prealignment of ends of large mode area double-clad fibers (LMA-DCFs) in order to thereafter perform a core alignment process, in a fiber optic fusion splicer a best, optimum or near optimum position or setting of the optical system (7) for observing the self-focusing effect is first determined and then the very alignment operation may be performed using the determined setting. The very alignment process may then be performed by adjusting stepwise the offset distance between the observed fiber ends by e.g. using a cascade technique.