Abstract: An apparatus for retaining and protecting spliced optical fibers that are part of cables that have ultra-high strength steel wires, in which the optical fibers are free to move within a sleeve inside of the wires. The apparatus includes a joint box having opposing longitudinal cable termination ends. The high-strength steel wires of each cable are attached to a respective cable termination end. At least one optical fiber from each cable extends through its respective cable termination end and is spliced together to form a continuous optical fiber. The fiber or fibers are restrained at locations on the continuous optical fiber spaced from the splice by winding portions of the fibers around a friction imparting element, such as a drum, that includes a curved outer surface. Tension forces applied to the fiber or fibers are transferred to the drum.

Abstract: There are disclosed an optical fiber splicing mechanism, an optical fiber splicing structure, and an optical fiber splicing method which are each capable of minimizing the size of an optical-fiber junction and the cost of splicing optical fibers as well as connecting the optical fibers reliably by a simple splicing process. Ends of two ferrules each having an optical fiber fitted therein are held in contact with each other, and the contact portions of the two ferrules are sheathed with a split sleeve. Further, the outside of the split sleeve is sheathed with a heat shrinking tube. Then, heat is applied to the heat shrinking tube to cause the same to shrink. The heat shrinking tube constricts the split sleeve by its shrinkage force, whereby the ferrules are fixed.

Abstract: 1A fiber splicing apparatus of the present invention includes a support (120a, 120b) for supporting the two optical fibers (112a,112b) such that the ends (114a, 114b) thereof are aligned and in physical contact, and a laser (130) emitting a laser beam (142) onto the ends of the optical fibers to heat and thereby fuse together the ends (114a, 114b ) of the fibers (112a, 112b). According to another embodiment, an apparatus is provided for heating a region (115) of one or more optical fibers(112a, 112b). This apparatus includes a laser (130) emitting a laser beam (132) and an optical modulator (134) positioned to receive and selectively modulate the intensity of the laser beam (132) to project a modulated laser beam (138) along a first optical path that terminates at the end (114a, 114b ) of the optical fiber(s) (112a, 112b)to be heated.

Abstract: A splice for crimping optical fibers includes two half-cylinders, a support block and a pressing block, which are mutually pressed by a crimping cylinder. The support block is provided with a longitudinal groove for receiving the stripped fiber and bears capped edges. The capped edges and stops are symmetrically mounted on either side of the longitudinal axis of the half-cylinders and are designed for maintaining axis of the half-cylinders and are designed for maintaining a small space between the two half-cylinders in the zone where they are located.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for aligning optical fibers for splicing utilizing a grooved holder (22) and positioning arms that engage the fiber ends (17, 18) and bring them precisely together in alignment for splicing. The grooves (24, 24′, 26, 26′, 28, 28′) of the holder have a channel (27) extending therebetween. The precisely formed grooves (24, 24′, 26, 26′, 28, 28′) provide X and Y alignment of the fibers in conduction with positioning arms (32, 32′) having resilient pads (36, 36′). The resilient pads (36, 36′) allow the positioning arms (32, 32′) to frictionally engage the optical fibers (15, 16) and bring their respective ends (17, 18) into position for fusion splicing.

Abstract: A fiber protection sleeve assembly and method for installing the same in a splice junction of a fiber optic cable is provided. The fiber protection sleeve assembly is used in a splice junction in a fiber optic cable having a capillary tube with a capillary tube end and having an optical fiber arranged therein and extending therefrom, and includes a first tube and may also include a second tube and a third tube. The first tube is partially arranged in the capillary tube end for preventing contact between the optical fiber and the capillary tube end. The first tube may be a polymeric material, a thermoset or thermoplastic material, and an orange polyimide material about one inch long. The second tube frictionally engages the first tube for arranging the first tube in relation to the capillary tube end. The second tube may be a polymeric material, an elastomeric material, and a clear silicone tube about two inches long.

Abstract: The present invention introduces an arc shaping member to be used in fiber optic fusion splicers. The use of the an arc shaping member may minimize the undesirable effects of grunge and/or deposits than can buildup on arc electrodes. The buildup of grunge or other deposits can cause formation of an irregular electrical arc possibly resulting in an undesirable splice. The arc shaping member may be a passive or active. In a fiber optic splicer, the arc shaping member may be mounted in a plane parallel to the optical fiber(s) being spliced and in a plane perpendicular to the arc electrodes. The arc shaping member may be installed such that the member surrounds the electric arc created by the arc electrodes. The presence of the arc shaping member causes the electric arc to maintain the desired shape and/or intensity. An operator may control, independent of the arc voltage, the shape, size and heat intensity of the electrical arc.

Abstract: For optically connecting according to a given connection diagram optical components in an optoelectronic rig, there is provision for the execution of a tape fusion bond between two series of end sections of fibers of the components, after having selected, ordered and prepared these sections in two series in a suitable manner, so as to establish—when fusion bonding is completed—the desired connections.

Abstract: Each of imaging optical systems has a post-lens system having a front focus at a position of a rear focus of a pre-lens system. Each of the optical axes is set in a direction normal to the optical axes of optical fibers and different from the normal direction to a placement surface of the optical fibers. Each of image pickup planes of CCDs is inclined relative to the optical axis of the imaging optical system so that the longer an object distance of each optical fiber among the optical fibers, the shorter an image distance thereof, and each image pickup plane is located in parallel to the optical axes of the optical fibers.

Abstract: A fiber-splice protection label or sleeve for one or more optical fiber fusion splices. The label is provided with a unique indicium such as a serial number in alphanumeric and/or barcoded forms. The indicium may be in the form of a strip of paper, plastic, foil, or other suitable material inserted between the inner and outer sleeve or otherwise embedded in the unit. The serial number may also be printed directly on the inner sleeve, outer sleeve, or support rod, and/or in the form of a sleeve. A hologram and/or other security feature may be used to prevent tampering or creation of counterfeit units. The number of digits are preferably chosen to allow a large number of units to be sold without duplication of numbers. Special standardized prefixes or other indicia may be chosen for government or other special applications. Serial numbers may further be encoded into a micro-miniature memory “chip” embedded in, e.g., the outer sleeve.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing an in-line fiber optic cable splice is sufficiently compact so as to allow for the spliced assembly to be wound onto a conventional fiber reel. Various short lengths (for example, 1000 to 3000 feet) of fiber cable can thus be spliced together to form a more conventional length of cable that can be used in different situations. The in-line splice comprises a pair of grip blocks for supporting the end portions of a pair of fiber cables to be spliced together. A pair of metallic sleeves are disposed over the fiber ends, with the cable strength members bent backward over the sleeves, exposing the bundle of optical fibers in the center of the cable. After splicing the cables together, a buffer tube is positioned over the fused region to protect the fibers. An outer heat shrink protective layer is disposed to cover the pair of grip blocks, as well as the buffer tube encased splice region.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for jointing two opposed ends of fiber optic cables to result in a hermetic cable joint. Two fiber optic cables are cut to expose each wire strand of each cable, and a tube joint is formed by joining the optical fibers of the two cables such that the tube joint is located under the wire strand of the first cable. A tapered crimp sleeve is applied over the exposed inner layer and outer layer of each of the wire strands of the two cables, the inner layer and outer layer forming stepped portions within the crimp sleeve. The crimp sleeve tapers outwardly from a central portion, such that its two ends are of a larger diameter than the central portion of the crimp sleeve. When the inner layer and outer layer of each wire strand is crimped, the crimp sleeve attains approximately the same diameter along its length.

Abstract: A fiber optic splice assembly comprising: (a) a fiber-receiving element having opposite faces, first and second ends, and first and second sides, each the face having at least one elongate fiber channel and an elongate bearing channel, (b) two clamping elements, each the clamping element having a clamping face and an opposite spring face, first and second sides, the clamping elements covering at least a portion of each elongate fiber and bearing channel, and (c) a splice spring for imparting opposing normal forces on the spring faces of the clamping elements and along the first side of the fiber-receiving element, the spring permitting independent resilient disengagement of each the clamping faces from the fiber-receiving element face.

Abstract: A quick restoration splice block comprises a rectangular block of transparent material including an opening for accepting the prepared endfaces of the pair of fibers to be spliced. A brightly colored indicator stripe is formed on the underside of the fiber opening. As the fiber endfaces are moved toward each other, the indicator stripe will be covered. When the stripe is no longer visible, butt-to-butt coupled of the fibers is achieved.

Abstract: A splice module for use in fiber optic cable alignment and splicing devices is disclosed, having a multi-piece v-groove module and, in one embodiment, a separately disposable electrode module such that in use only the electrode module needs to be replaced after each fiber optic cable splicing operation. The v-groove module comprises three pieces of nonconductive ceramic material held together with an adhesive. The three pieces provide for a precision v-groove for fiber optic cable alignment during mechanical splicing or fusion splicing. The electrode module includes a nonconductive ceramic with plated electrode circuit and an adhesive for mounting in the v-groove module. The electrode module provides the arc for fusing fiber optic cable and is designed to be user replaceable and inexpensive. Also disclosed is a tool and method for the easy user replacement of the electrode module of the present invention.

Abstract: Asymmetric stress in the tip of a polarization-maintaining optical fiber is measured using the photoelastic effect to determine the fiber polarization axes of two fibers appointed to be joined. The fibers are rotated to align their respective polarization axes and are joined together. A single polarization-maintaining optical fiber is thereby produced in an accurate, reliable, time efficient and cost effective manner.

Abstract: A splice holder for securing and retaining fiber optic splices. The splice holder accommodates a higher density of splices than prior art splice holders, improves access to individual splices and minimizes interference to adjacent splices during removal. The splice holder comprises a plurality of parallel, spaced apart longitudinal members extending from a base. Adjacent pair of members define a channel for retaining a splice. Each channel is tilted having its longitudinal axis at an acute angle relative to the plane of the base such that a splice placed along a channel has one raised end further away from the bottom mounting surface of the base than the opposite end closer to the bottom mounting surface. The plurality of channels are alternatively tilted such that the channels are staggered at the front and rear edges of the base to facilitate access to the raised end of a splice without interfering with adjacent splices closer to the bottom mounting surface of the base.

Abstract: A method of preparing an optical fiber for fusion splicing comprising the steps of providing an optical fiber having a fiber jacket and an end, removing a predetermined bulk of the fiber jacket from an area adjacent the end while one of substantially simultaneously moving gas over the area and exhausting gas from the area.

Abstract: A splicing means for welding light waveguides in or immediately at optical components is disclosed which includes an optical means for observing the ends of the light waveguides to be welded together and two oppositely directed electrodes arranged parallel but spaced apart from one another which affect the welding of the light waveguides by igniting an arc. Observation of the ends of the light waveguides to be welded is provided in the welding position by a stepped arrangement of electrodes whereby the electrode axes are offset from one another. Due to the stepped arrangement of the electrodes, the light waveguides can be observed in, for example, the region of a trans-axial channel of a light waveguide plug and can then be welded to one another in the same position.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed fiber optic coupler for packaging planar coupled optical fibers. The device includes at least one first optical fiber having a glass-based portion having a first free end and a second optical fiber having a glass-based portion having a second free end joined to the first free end of the glass-based portion of the first optical fiber by said planar coupler to form an end joint. The device further includes an outer chamber having at least one open end, the outer chamber surrounding the end joint, the outer chamber and the end joint being hermetically sealed with a thermosetting plastic.

Abstract: A splice housing assembly and an associated assembly method are provided in which the ferrule is mechanically decoupled from the splice body such that the ferrule has at least limited movement, typically in an off-axis direction, relative to the splice body. For example, the ferrule can be mechanically decoupled from the splice body by spacing the ferrule in a lengthwise direction from the splice body such that a medial portion of the first optical fiber extends between the ferrule and the splice body.

Abstract: When splicing optical fibers of different kinds to each other by means of arc welding, a matching of the mode field diameters of the fibers is desired. This is accomplished by prolonging (period 55) the heating after making the splice (period 53). During the prolonged heating the hot-fiber indices of the two fiber ends are continuously determined. Either one of these indices or some suitable quantity derived therefrom is all the time compared to a threshold value and when it is reached the heating is stopped. The threshold value has been determined in a preceding stage using test fiber pieces of the same kind in a splicing operation with prolonged heating. Then, in such a threshold level determining stage in addition to the hot-fiber indices, the transmission of light is constantly measured during the heating and when it has its maximum value the corresponding hot-fiber indices are stored and used for deriving the threshold value. This method of matching mode field diameters is simple and takes a short time.

Abstract: An optical fiber splicing module includes a receiving housing having a longitudinal cavity with two fiber insertion orifices through two end walls of the cavity, a fiber immobilizing member and a pressing arrangement in the cavity and a closure cap that can be clipped to the housing. The fiber immobilizing member substantially closes off the cavity and carries the pressing arrangement which is therefore received facing a groove in the bottom of the cavity and aligned with the orifices. The cap can be clipped to the housing in such a way as to define two positions of the member in the cavity, for allowing the fibers to pass and for immobilizing them in the groove.

Abstract: The device comprises a central spicing body serving to connect in situ two cable end plugs which fit into the splicing body. The central body has lower rails hollowed out therein and bears lateral shoulders for guiding and locking the end plugs constituted by a lower part and by an upper part fixed to one another by a press fit. The device has application in the in situ splicing of optical fibers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for observing, before and after fusion-splicing of optical fibers such as ribbon fibers each including a plurality of optical fibers in particular, the butting state of the tip portion of each of fiber ribbons in a wide range with a high accuracy. In the observation method in accordance with the present invention, while the optical fibers to be fusion-spliced together are disposed on a predetermined reference surface such that their end faces butt each other, at least a pair of cameras are independently or synchronously moved along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the optical fibers so as to change the shooting areas of the respective cameras, thereby realizing the collective observation or local observation of the observation area. The observation apparatus in accordance with the present invention comprises a driving system for moving the pair of cameras along a predetermined direction.

Abstract: A method and article for splicing metal clad optical fibers and protecting the spliced portion, and a reinforced splice between metal clad optical fibers, is provided. The method comprises the steps of fusing the exposed ends of metal clad optical fibers together, aligning the thus formed splicing area over a metal groove in a lower plate, depositing a metal adhesive on the upper surface of the lower plate, sealing the splicing area by laying a metal groove of an upper plate over that of the lower plate, and uniformly coating and hardening the metal adhesive on the splicing area of the optical fibers by applying high temperature air to the metal grooves. As described above, the splicing area of the optical fibers is protected by a soldering cream adhered thereto so that a high tensile strength is provided. Also, the length of the spliced portion is short so that the spliced optical fiber can be mounted in a small space in a device using optical fibers.

Abstract: A tool is used for end-to-end jointing a fiber to another fiber or to an optical connector end-piece by means of a module including a receiving housing enabling a fiber to be inserted at one end at least and wedging action arrangements for fixing the fibers at the bottom of the housing that are operated by pressing them in. The tool carries out the following operations successively and possibly simultaneously for two fibers: partial stripping of each fiber, end cleavage for end-to-end jointing, positioning of each cleaved fiber in the module where it is jointed and crimping of each fiber in a jointing position in the module. These operations are carried out in a cycle commanded by continuous rotation in a particular direction of a rotary drive shaft of the tool after manual fitting of each fiber and the module at particular positions on the tool.

Abstract: The invention provides a waveguide connector assembly for the precision interconnection of mating arrays of parallel optical waveguides which are preferably photolithographically formed on substrates. The connector assembly has a base with several parallel channel walls cut along a surface of the base. A waveguide assembly is positioned on the base. The waveguide assembly comprises a substrate and several transparent, polymeric waveguides on and raised from a surface of the substrate. The waveguides have a polygonal cross section with flat edges. The waveguide assembly is positioned on the base such that each of the waveguides is set in one of the channels and contacts the walls of the channel at two or more points. A cover plate holds the waveguide assembly on the base.

Abstract: The optical interconnection apparatus includes one or more terminator blocks which hold a plurality of jacketed optical fibers and a flexible matrix which encloses the jacketed optical fibers and partially surrounds the terminator blocks so as to anchor the terminator blocks within the matrix. Each terminator block comprises a jacket holder and a jacket clamp. The jacket holder has a surface with a plurality of grooves for receiving a plurality of jacketed optical fibers. The jacket clamp clamps a plurality of jacketed optical fibers in the plurality of grooves of a jacket holder. The terminator blocks are used with a mold having one or more guide structures for use in guiding each of the terminator blocks into the mold, a terminator block having one or more guide followers which engage and follow the guide structures of the mold when the terminator block is inserted into the mold.

Abstract: A mechanical optical fiber splice which does not employ any gel material with a matching refractive index, wherein the fiber ends are prepared for intimate axial compressive contact and the fiber end faces are maintained in the splice element in optically aligned intimate contact under axial compression, as the result of heating, elastic deformation or plastic deformation of the splice element.

Abstract: A linking device intended notably for the connection of rods made of a composite material based on polymerizable resin and reinforcing fibers includes a tubular sleeve tightly connected to one end of a rod by plastic deformation of the sleeve placed around said end. The device is formed by a process for fastening linking means on elongated elements made of a composite material.

Abstract: A fiber splicing assembly for making butt splices between fiber ends has a horizontal plate member having at least one groove therein containing a pair of fiber guiding rods, adjacent opposite ends of the groove are first and second ramp members which slope toward the guide rods at an angle to the plane of the plate member. Each ramp member has fiber holder guiding means thereon to guide a fiber within a holder toward and in to the V-groove formed by the guide rods. Magnetic means maintain the rods in a relatively fixed position, and the slope of the ramps is such that the bend created in the fiber tends to create a downward force on the fiber, forcing it into the V-groove.The diameter of each of the guide rods is such that the fiber is guided into the V-groove despite undesirable bends in the free end of the fiber.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector comprising a plug and a receptacle uses the spring force supplied by bowing of the plug fiber to maintain a continuous compressive load at the fiber joint located in a fiber-alignment groove. The plug has a holder for securing the plug fiber and a shroud which snaps onto the holder with the plug fiber extending generally straight inside the shroud. The shroud has a slot providing access to the terminal portion of the plug fiber, and a sliding door which selectively covers the slot. The receptacle includes a housing and another fiber holder for securing the receptacle fiber, with a projection or finger attached to the receptacle fiber holder, the projection having the fiber-alignment groove. The finger is oriented within the receptacle housing such that, when the plug is inserted into the receptacle, the finger extends through the slot in the shroud at an oblique angle with respect to the plug axis.

Abstract: An optical component welding apparatus for welding together first and second optical components each having an optical axis and a contact surface. The apparatus includes an X--Y stage for fixing the first optical component and aligning the optical axis of the first optical component in an X-axis and Y-axis direction. A fixing disk has a plurality of apertures extending radially and intersecting one another at a center of the fixing disk with respect to the radial direction, and includes a clamp for fixing the second optical component in the center of the fixing disk with respect to the axial and radial directions thereof such that the contact surface of the second optical component faces the contact surface of the first optical component.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical fiber filter provided with a portion which selectively reflects or transmits light of a specific wavelength, this portion comprised of a multimode optical fiber in which the refractive index of the core changes periodically along the longitudinal direction thereof. Furthermore, this multimode optical fiber has an input end and an output end, with at least the input end of the multimode optical fiber being connected to a single mode optical fiber. As a result of forming an optical fiber filter in this way, it is possible to realize an optical fiber filter that exhibits no transmission loss at wavelengths other than the center wavelength.

Abstract: A composite optical fiber including a first optical fiber having a first core with a first diameter being optically fused to a second optical fiber having a second core with a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter. The first optical fiber has an output end with a tapered end section. The first core tapers down in diameter in the tapered end section from the first diameter and terminates at the output end with a third diameter that is smaller than the first diameter and substantially equal to or smaller than the second diameter. The second fiber has an input end that is optically fused to the output end of the first fiber. The composite optical fiber of the present invention is formed by heating the output end of the first optical fiber, and then pulling the output end of the first optical fiber to form the tapered end section. The output end of the first optical fiber is then optically fused to the input end of the second optical fiber.

Abstract: A multiple fiber positioner (MFP) provides a micromachined structure that includes multiple V-grooves in silicon created via anisotropic etching for positioning optical fibers in splices and connectors. The MFP has a permanently bonded cover to provide a one-piece, stand-alone component. This MFP component is used to create new fiber optic splices and connectors.

Abstract: A method of bonding glass-based optical elements comprising the steps of positioning a first glass-based optical element relative to a second glass-based optical element, applying a glass-based bonding compound about the first and second optical elements, and applying sufficient localized heat to the glass-based bonding compound to cause the glass-based bonding compound to soften and fuse with the optical elements.

Abstract: In an optical fiber light source a section of multimode fiber is interposed between an energizing laser (e.g,, a diode laser) and a single mode fiber active medium. In a preferred embodiment the single mode fiber active medium is surrounded by a multimode cladding coupled to the multimode fiber. The source may serve as a pump laser for a fiber amplifier or as an amplified spontaneous emission source. Arrangements for coupling several energizing lasers to the active medium are also described.

Abstract: In splicing two optical fibers in the common way, the end surfaces of the fibers are placed opposite each other and then the fiber ends are melt-fusioned using an electric arc generated between two electrodes. In order to obtain a predetermined lateral displacement of the outer surfaces of the fibers, the fiber ends are placed in positions with a displacement exceeding the desired displacement before the fusion melting. During fusion welding, an electric current of a large intensity is passed between the electrodes, and the first-set lateral displacement will decrease due to surface tension. After the fusion melting, the electric arc is continued at a reduced intensity which also produces a lower temperature in the region at the splice of the fiber ends. At this stage, the outer surfaces of the fiber ends are observed, which then become more and more aligned with each other (that is, the lateral displacement decreases) due to the surface tension.

Abstract: This invention relates to an optical waveguide module having stable temperature characteristics and moist heat characteristics even in a severe environment. This optical waveguide module includes a waveguide component having an optical waveguide on a waveguide substrate made of silicon or silica glass as the first material, and a ferrule made of a plastic material as the second material. An end face of an optical fiber is fixed by adhesion while it is inserted in a through hole of the ferrule, the through hole having a continuous inner wall. This ferrule is fixed with an adhesive having a predetermined strength so that its the end face opposes the end face of the waveguide component. The second material satisfies a relationship:.vertline..DELTA.L/(E.sub.1 /E.sub.2).vertline.<3.0.times.10.sup.-6 (.degree.C..sup.-1)with respect to the first material forming the waveguide substrate, where .DELTA.L is a difference in thermal expansion coefficient between the first material and the second material, E.sub.

Abstract: A TV camera picks up images of the first and second polarization-maintaining optical fibers, while light is irradiated to their side. First and second values are calculated based on the luminance peaks of the images by using an image processing unit connected to the TV camera. The axes of respective cores and respective stress applying members of the polarization-maintaining optical fibers can be easily aligned by moving the fibers such that the first and second values displayed on said display are equal.

Abstract: When splicing optical fibers by melt-fusioning in an electric arc, the electric arc is started, in order to give the fiber splice a large strength, before the ends of the fibers have entered the arc and before they have contacted each other. The arc is in this stage switched on with a low intensity which is increased in the stage when the fiber ends are fusioned to each other. When the electric arc is established having this low intensity and immediately before the contact of the end surfaces and the melt-fusioning, the fiber ends are finely aligned with each other in the lateral direction. It can be performed by way of the optical system and the controller means which are provided in a commercially available fiber welding apparatus, and the fine alignment will give the splice a low attenuation. For standard fibers of the single-mode type a welding current through the electrodes of approximately 6.5 mA is suitable.

Abstract: A method of joining two groups of light waveguides in a splicing appliance, which includes applying a mechanical reinforcing carrier member between the two parts subsequent to the splicing operation and prior to removing the spliced waveguides from the splicing appliance.

Abstract: This apparatus comprises: (a) a housing; (b) a first microscope placed in said housing to observe optical fibers; (c) a first light source facing to said first microscope; (d) a second microscope placed in said housing to observe said optical fibers; (e) a second light source facing to said second microscope; (f) a third microscope placed in said housing to observe said optical fibers; and (g) a third light source facing to said third microscope. When the first light source is turned on, the first light emitted from the first light source irradiates the optical fibers. When the second light source is turned on, the second light emitted from the second light source irradiates the optical fibers when the first light source is turned on, enlarged images of the fibers are observed, and when the second light source is turned on, enlarged images of the fibers are observed with said second microscope. These fibers are observed from different directions without moving these microscopes.

Abstract: There is disclosed a coupling structure of optical fibers and optical waveguides, comprising optical fibers; an optical fiber arranging connector having a first and second members, the optical fibers being sandwiched by the first and second members to be fixed in the optical fiber arranging connector; a waveguide device having a waveguide substrate, optical waveguides being formed on a surface of the waveguide device, ends of the waveguides and ends of being aligned with each other by abutting end faces thereof against each other; an adhesive interposed and set between said end faces, the adhesive being a photo-setting adhesive, the first member being made of a material preventing light having a wavelength capable of setting said adhesive from passing therethrough, and in at least part of a region where the end faces of the optical fiber arranging connector and the waveguide device oppose to each other, at least one of the optical fiber arranging connector and the waveguide device in the vicinity of the end f

Abstract: A method of bonding glass-based optical elements comprising the steps of positioning a first glass-based optical element relative to a second glass-based optical element, applying a glass-based bonding compound about the first and second optical elements, and applying sufficient localized heat to the glass-based bonding compound to cause the glass-based bonding compound to soften and fuse with the optical elements.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for aligning fiber optics. The device used to implement the method comprises an inclined support (16) for a fiber optic (15) to be aligned with one or more fibers (11) in a flat ribbon (10), and an inclined contact element (12) supporting a gripping means (9) attached to the flat ribbon. The fiber extremities engage in V-shaped guide grooves (13) having a central alignment zone (14). Alignment occurs when the fiber to be aligned and the fibers in the flat ribbon are placed in the alignment zone by sliding each of them in one of the V-shaped grooves and inwardly curving a predetermined length thereof so that the fiber extremities are placed in immediate proximity to one another and are essentially tangential to said V-shaped groove only in the area of their extremities.

Abstract: The ends of a pair of polarization-maintaining optical fibers that each have an elliptical stress member in the cladding to produce stress induced birefringence are placed end-to-end with a predetermined gap between the ends of the fibers. The ends of the fibers are examined with an optical imaging apparatus whose focus is adjusted to locate an alignment band in each fiber. The position of one of the polarization-maintaining optical fibers is then adjusted until the two alignment bands are in longitudinal alignment. The fiber ends are pre annealed and then fused together by application of energy from an electric arc.

Abstract: We have discovered that the strength of arc fusion splices in optical fiber can be adversely affected by particles (e.g., SiO.sub.2 particles) from the electrodes. Disclosed is a method of arc fusion splicing that can substantially increase the probability that a given fiber splice will meet a given strength requirement. The method comprises initiating the arc in a "cleaning" position selected such that the probability of incidence on the fibers of particles from the electrodes is relatively low, followed by changing the relative position between the electrodes with the arc therebetween and the fibers to the conventional "heating" position and forming the splice.