Abstract: A device for fusion splicing, by an arc discharge, a pair or a plurality of pairs of optical fibers arranged so that end surfaces thereof face each other. An optical fiber arrangement portion positions the pair or the plurality of pairs of optical fibers between a pair of electrodes. A control portion controls a voltage applied to the pair of electrodes. The control portion generates a first discharge between the pair of electrodes, stops the first discharge between the pair of electrodes, and then generates an arc discharge between the pair of electrodes to fusion-splice the pair or the plurality of pairs of optical fibers to each other. A discharge time of the first discharge is 200 milliseconds or less. A time from stopping the first discharge to starting the arc discharge is 100 milliseconds or less.

Abstract: An optical coupler array can include an elongated optical element having a coupler housing structure and at least one longitudinal waveguide embedded in said housing structure. The housing structure can have an outer cross sectional shape comprising a first side comprising one or more curved portions and a second side comprising one or more flat portions. The second side can be disposed at a distance from the at least one longitudinal waveguide such that waveguiding properties are preserved and not disturbed.

Abstract: The present invention therefore provides a method of splicing optical fibers. First, a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber are provided, wherein a core diameter of the first optical fiber is smaller than a core diameter of the second optical fiber. After performing a hydrogen loading treatment for the first optical fiber; a thermal expansion core (TEC) treatment is performed for the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber to match the mode-field (MF) of the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber at the fused section between the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber. The present invention further provides a spliced optical fiber, including a first optical fiber part, a second optical fiber part, and a fused section.

Abstract: Provided is a glass base material elongation method for elongating a glass base material with a large diameter to manufacture a glass rod with a smaller diameter, the method comprising, when elongating a glass base material that has a transparent glass tapered portion at one end of a trunk portion and a glass tapered portion including a non-transparent glass portion at the other end of the trunk portion, prior to the elongation, fusing a hanging dummy to an end of the transparent glass tapered portion, setting the hanging dummy in communication with a feeding mechanism, inserting the glass base material into a heating furnace beginning with the other end, and performing elongation.

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: A device for applying electric discharge on an optical fiber by electrodes is comprised of a first driving mechanism for controllably driving the electrodes in a first direction perpendicular to an axial direction of the optical fiber; and a second driving mechanism for controllably and synchronously driving the electrodes in a second direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the optical fiber but not identical to the first direction.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for jointing a first optical fibre and a second optical fibre, the apparatus includes a composite cable, where the composite cable includes an electric power cable, a first optical fibre cable including the first optical fibre, and a second optical fibre cable including the second optical fibre, wherein the apparatus includes a first routing device and a second routing device, each routing device being arranged to change the direction of a fibre optic path from a first axis to a second axis and including a first optical fibre portion aligned with the first axis, a second optical fibre portion aligned with the second axis, and an intermediate optical fibre portion integral with the first and second optical fibre portions and extending through an arc between the first and second optical fibre portions, the intermediate optical fibre portion in the region of the arc having a reduced diameter in relation to the diameter of the first and second optical fibre portions, wherein the first op

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: A multicore fiber 1 includes a plurality of cores 3 disposed at predetermined intervals and surrounded by a cladding 5. The multicore fiber 1 also includes a marker 7 formed apart from the cores 3. The refractive index of the marker 7 is different from those of the cores 3 and the cladding 5. For example, the marker 7 may be made of a material having lower refractive index than that of the cladding 5. In this case, for example, the cores 3 may be made of germanium-doped quartz. The cladding 5 may be made of pure quartz. The marker 7 may be made of fluorine-doped quartz. Further, the marker 7 may be an empty hole.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for transmitting light along multiple pathways using a multi-core optical device. One example apparatus generally includes a plurality of large diameter optical waveguides, each having a core and a cladding, and a body having a plurality of bores with the optical waveguides disposed therein, wherein at least a portion of the cladding of each of the optical waveguides is fused with the body, such that the apparatus is a monolithic structure. Such an apparatus provides for a cost- and space-efficient technique for feedthrough of multiple optical waveguides. Also, the body may have a large outer diameter which can be shaped into features of interest, such as connection alignment or feedthrough sealing features. For some embodiments, at least some of the cores may have different structural parameters (e.g., size and/or shape).

Abstract: An optical fiber end processing method includes fixing two portions of an optical fiber, heating and fusing the optical fiber between the two fixed portions, to form a first heat fusion region, heating and fusing the optical fiber fixed between the two fixed portions unit while fixing the two fixed portions, moving a heat fusion unit from a side of the first heat fusion region toward a base end side of the optical fiber, and pushing a heat fusion portion of the optical fiber in a direction of shortening a length of the heat fusion portion, to form a second heat fusion region continuous to the first heat fusion region and in which the air holes of the optical fiber disappear; and removing the first heat fusion region by cutting the optical fiber within the second heat fusion region after the second heat fusion forming.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hybrid photonic crystal fiber, into the core of which a functional material is injected. The hybrid photonic crystal fiber of the present invention comprises: a central hole having a diameter of 4 to 15 ?m extending in the longitudinal direction; an inner cladding also formed in the longitudinal direction outside the central hole, having a hexagonal arrangement of air holes, each of which has a diameter of 2 to 5 ?m and a lattice constant of 4.5 to 7 ?m; an annular outer cladding surrounding the outer surface of the inner cladding; and a core formed by filling a functional material in some of the air holes including the central hole. According to the present invention, changes in the state, i.e. the liquid, liquid-crystal, or biofluid states, of the functional material that fills the core that has a variety of shapes may enable the modulation of light intensity, wavelength, phase, and polarization, and thus enable various photonic networks to be produced.

Abstract: A fiber optic termination arrangement includes a first optical fiber with a core surrounded by cladding having, a first end having a first outer surface and a second end having a second outer surface. The second outer surface is sized to match that of a second optical fiber to facilitate splicing the second end of the first optical fiber to a third end of the second optical fiber. Additionally, the first outer surface is sized and configured to interface with a connector capable of operationally aligning the core of the first optical fiber with a core of a third optical fiber or an optical receiving/transmitting device. The first optical fiber also includes a transition region wherein a third outer surface of the first optical fiber transitions from the first outer surface to the second outer surface.

Abstract: In certain embodiment, a fiber fusion apparatus for mitigating polarization dependent splice loss include a first fiber guide operable to maintain alignment of a first optical fiber relative to a center axis and a second fiber guide operable to maintain alignment of a second optical fiber relative to the center axis. The apparatus further includes three or more electrodes evenly-spaced around the center axis. Each of the three or more electrodes is operable to apply heat to adjacent ends of the first and second optical fibers in order to fuse the first and second optical fibers.

Abstract: An optical fiber coupler connects transmission multicore optical fiber (TMCF) with an amplifier multicore optical fiber (AMCF) and a plurality of optical pump fibers. The coupler includes a plurality of signal cores extending between a multicore input endface and a coupler output endface, and a plurality of pump cores extending between a pump input and the coupler output endface. The multicore input endface is connectable to the TMCF, and the pump input is connectable to the optical pump fibers. Each pump core is paired with a corresponding signal core to form a core pair that is adiabatically tapered such that signal light carried by the signal core is combined with pump light carried by the pump core. The coupler output endface is connectable to the AMCF such that the combined light output of each core pair is provided as an input to a respective AMCF core.

Abstract: A multicore fiber has a plurality of cores formed at predetermined distances and surrounded by a cladding. A bundle structure includes optical fibers joined in a close-packed arrangement. Specifically, one optical fiber is arranged at a center, and six optical fibers are arranged around the optical fiber arranged at the center. Accordingly, cores of the optical fibers are arranged at equal distances. The optical fibers are bonded together with an adhesive. Accordingly, claddings of adjacent optical fibers are in contact with each other either directly or via the adhesive. The adhesive also fills spaces between the optical fibers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for welding one end of a primary preform and one end of a silica bar having different properties. The method includes the steps of projecting and fusing silica grain under a plasma torch onto an end of the primary preform and an end of the silica bar, and bringing into contact these respective ends to form an excellent weld between the primary preform and the silica bar. The invention provides a cost-effective way to secure a primary preform to a glass-working lathe support while reducing the risk of costly preform breakage.

Abstract: A method of creating optical fiber to exhibit predetermined length-dependent characteristics (e.g., chromatic dispersion, polarization mode dispersion, cutoff wavelength, birefringence) includes the steps of: characterizing the fiber's selected characteristic(s) as a function of length; and performing a “treatment” which modifies the refractive index over the given length to adjust the defined parameter to fall within a defined tolerance window. These steps may be repeated one or more times until the measure of the parameter falls with the defined tolerance limits. The treatment process may include, for example, a low energy actinic radiation exposure, anneal, mechanical strain, DC voltage, plasma application, etc. Indeed, if the treatment process is repeated, a different technique may be used to adjust the refractive index (“different” processes include, for example, modifying the strength/time of a UV exposure, temperatures for annealing, etc.).

Abstract: An optical connector assembling method capable of preventing workability from worsening is provided. First, when assembling the optical connector, an optical cord (2) is passed through a rear housing (8), an outer jacket holding member (9), a securing member (10), and a boot (11), and an outer jacket (4) is removed from a leading end portion of the optical cord (2), so as to expose a coated optical fiber (3) and a tension-resistant fiber (5). A handled dust cap (16A) is mounted to a ferrule member (6) holding a built-in fiber. Then, a fusion splicer fusion-splices the built-in fiber and the coated optical fiber (3) to each other. Thereafter, while the ferrule member (6) keeps the handled dust cap (16A) mounted thereto, a plug housing (7) is assembled to the rear housing (8). Then, the outer jacket holding member (9) and securing member (10) secure the outer jacket (4) and tension-resistant fiber (5) to the rear housing (8), and the boot (11) is mounted to the securing member (10).

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 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 multi-core optical fiber which has a plurality of core portions arranged separately from one another in a cross-section perpendicular to a longitudinal direction, and a cladding portion located around the core portions, the multi-core optical fiber comprises a cylindrical portion of which diameter is even, and a reverse-tapered portion gradually expanding toward at least one edge in the longitudinal direction, wherein a gap between each adjacent ones of the core portions in the reverse-tapered portion is greater than that in the cylindrical portion.

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: 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: A method of elongating a glass base material to obtain a glass rod having a smaller diameter, using a glass base material elongating apparatus including a feeder at least for the glass base material, a heating furnace, and an elongating mechanism of the glass base material below the heating furnace, is such that a horizontal plane position measuring unit of the glass base material is provided inside or near the heating furnace, the feeder has a glass base material horizontal plane position adjusting unit, and the elongating mechanism has three or more sets of elongating rollers capable of switching between grasping and releasing for keeping the position of the glass rod in the horizontal plane to be constant, and the glass base material is elongated with the position thereof in the horizontal plane kept as targeted by controlling the glass base material horizontal plane position adjusting unit.

Abstract: Provided are a manufacturing method of an optical fiber base material and an optical fiber base material manufactured in the manufacturing method, the manufacturing method including: a process of combining at least two core base materials 70 by fusion-bonding to produce a single core base material; a process of fusion-bonding a pair of dummy glass rods 61 and 62 at both ends of the core base material 70 to produce a starting glass rod; a process of depositing, at an outer surface of the starting glass rod, glass particles generated by flame hydrolysis, to produce a porous base material 80; and a process of sintering and vitrifying, into transparent glass, the porous base material 80, to produce an optical fiber base material 310 that includes a core portion and a clad portion.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an optical fiber assembly apparatus includes a signal fiber having a substantially constant outer diameter, a proximal portion, and a distal portion. The proximal portion has a waveguide structure configured to propagate an optical signal having a first mode field diameter and the distal portion has a waveguide structure configured to propagate the optical signal having the first mode field diameter at a proximal end of the distal portion and has an expanded waveguide structure configured to propagate the optical signal having a second mode field diameter at a distal end of the distal portion. The optical fiber assembly includes a lens fiber having a proximal end. The proximal end of the lens fiber is fused to the distal end of the distal portion of the signal fiber. The lens fiber is configured to propagate an optical signal through a nominally homogenous region.

Abstract: A method for producing a drawn glass member includes a step of thermally softening and drawing a first end of a first glass base material, and a step of thermally bonding together a second end of the first glass base material, having the first end thermally softened and drawn, with one end of a second glass base material to form a thermally bonded portion. The step of thermally bonding together the second end of the first glass base material with the one end of the second glass base material is executed, while pressing, along a direction of the drawing, a side plane of at least one of the first and second glass base materials including the thermally bonding portion so as to keep a cross-sectional shape of at least one of the first and second glass base materials.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an optical transmission structural body capable of preferably transmitting an optical signal between an optical wiring and an optical waveguide irrespective of a shape of a portion of the optical wiring, the portion being connected to a core part of the optical waveguide. The optical transmission structural body of the present invention is constituted so that at least an optical wiring and an optical waveguide are connected to each other and an optical signal can be transmitted between a core of the optical wiring and a core part of the optical waveguide, wherein a portion of the optical wiring, the portion being connected to the core part of the optical waveguide, is not specially subjected to a planarization processing or has a surface roughness Ra based on JIS B 0601 of 0.1 ?m or more.

Abstract: An article of manufacture is provided that includes an optic fiber comprising a core and a cladding surrounding the core and a sapphire tube bonded to the optic fiber. A total internal reflection surface is positioned such that light guided within the core of the optic fiber reflects off the total internal reflection surface and through the sapphire tube. In other embodiments, a sapphire rod having a total internal reflection surface is fused to an optic fiber comprising a core and a cladding surrounding the core. A glass coating is present on the exterior surface of portions of the sapphire rod such that the glass coating defines an opening that exposes portions of the sapphire rod where light exits the sapphire rod after reflecting off the total internal reflection surface.

Abstract: In aligning ends of optical fibers, e.g. ends of large mode area double-clad fibers (LMA-DCFs), in a fiber optic fusion splicer the best position of the object plane of the optical system for observing images of the cores of the fiber ends are first determined by maximizing the contrast of the core image, in particular the core image peak in intensity profiles. The alignment process may be performed by adjusting the offset distance between the observed cores in some suitable way, e.g. by using a cascade technique. In e.g. a process for prealigning the fiber ends the self-focusing effect of optical fibers can be used to first determine the best object plane position for observing the self-focusing effect and then the very pre-alignment operation can be performed. This may extend the range of image analysis allowing e.g. that alignment, in particular core alignment, can be performed without requiring direct information showing the position of sides or edges of the claddings in captured pictures.

Abstract: This method for drawing a quartz glass optical component shortens the pulling process and minimizes loss of material. An end face of a quartz glass hollow cylinder forms a tapered end portion to an attachment piece of quartz glass having a bore. The inner bore of the hollow cylinder and the bore of the attachment piece are at least temporarily interconnected fluidically as a passage bore. A cleaning fluid is passed through the inner bore of the hollow cylinder and the passage bore. A core rod of quartz glass, which rests on a contact surface of the attachment piece, is inserted into the inner bore of the hollow cylinder, and the hollow cylinder is continuously supplied to a heating zone, heated therein so as to form a drawing bulb, and the component is continuously drawn therefrom.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pump coupler (2) and a manufacturing method. The pump coupler (2) comprises a least one signal fiber (50) for outputting optical energy, multiple pump fibers (31) for inputting optical energy into the signal fiber (50), and a coupling structure (40) for coupling the optical energy of the pump fibers (31) into the signal fiber (50). A signal feed-through fiber (32) goes through the coupling structure (40). In accordance with the invention the coupling structure (40) is a tapering capillary tube (40) having a first wide end (65) and a second narrow end (70), the pump fibers (31) are connected to the wide end of the capillary tube (40), and at least the narrow end (70) of the capillary tube (70) is collapsed around the signal fiber (32).

Abstract: A quick terminating fiber optic assembly and method of making same is provided. A pre-terminated fiber optic assembly having an optical fiber already terminated therein includes an exposed optical fiber. The exposed fiber is aligned and contacted with a second exposed optical fiber of another optical cable, and the two fibers are spliced. A sleeve is provided to cover and protect the splice and any exposed fibers. The sleeve secures the pre-terminated fiber optic termini to second optical fiber. This process terminates the second optical fiber at the termini in less time and with the same or similar tools as a conventional method of terminating optical fibers at a termini.

Abstract: Apparatus for mechanically splicing two optic fibers, including an inner section including scoring apparatus, cleaving channels and a splicing channel; and two optic fiber restraining members, each being in operative communication with, and movable with respect to, the inner section; wherein restraining members locate end sections of optic fiber cores of said optic fibers in respective cleaving channels for scoring by said scoring apparatus; and wherein relative movement of the restraining members away from the inner section cleaves said end sections of optic fiber cores; and further relative movement between the restraining members and the inner section located cleaved end sections of said optic fiber cores into respective openings of the splicing channel to effect mechanical splicing therebetween.

Abstract: A terminal for mounting to a fiber distribution cable includes a housing having a base and a cover. The cover is connectedly engaged with the base. The terminal further includes a plurality of adapters disposed on the cover. A fiber routing tray having a top panel and a bottom panel is disposed in an interior cavity. The fiber routing tray includes a storage space defined between the top and bottom panels for storing a length of optical fiber. A method for installing a terminal includes providing a terminal having a housing defining an interior cavity. A cable is pulled from the interior cavity of the housing. The cable is spliced to a fiber distribution cable with a splice. The cable is inserted back into the interior cavity. A spliced end of the cable, a spliced end of the fiber distribution cable and the splice are inserted in a retention device.

Abstract: An optical connector assembling jig and an optical connector assembling method includes an optical connection. The optical connector assembling jig includes a base and a guide. The base is provided in a longitudinal direction with an accommodation groove for accommodating an optical fiber, and a rear pressing member for restraining a rear part of the optical fiber accommodated in the accommodation groove. The rear part is set apart from an embedded fiber. The guide has a front holding portion for holding a front part of the optical fiber accommodated in the accommodation groove. The front part is near the embedded fiber, and the guide is capable of moving in the longitudinal direction. Moving the base toward the optical connector causes the intermediate section of the optical fiber to separate from the accommodation groove and bend. By moving the base further toward the optical connector, a buffered fiber in the optical fiber can be connected to the embedded fiber.

Abstract: A method of determining a heating amount adequate for fusion splicing is provided. In the method, the melting state of the end portions of optical fibers can be monitored on a real time basis so that fewer tests need to be performed. A method of fusion splicing and a fusion splicer are also provided. In the method of determining the heating amount, end portions of optical fibers that are placed opposite one another with a predetermined gap therebetween are heat-melted; an image of portions to be heat-melted is observed with an image-capturing device; and a luminance, a light emitting width, or a change in the luminance or the light emitting width is measured. In the method of fusion splicing, optical fibers are heat-melted with the heating amount that is determined using test fibers in advance, or determined using the optical fibers to be fusion spliced.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the invention, an optical connector for optically coupling respective end faces of two optical fiber cables including an optical fiber composed of a core and a cladding includes a beat shrinkable tube, a cable insertion tube disposed in the heat shrinkable tube for inserting thereinto and butting the respective end faces of the two optical fiber cables, an uncured refractive index matching resin disposed between the beat shrinkable tube and the cable insertion tube, and a resin supply hole formed in the cable insertion tube for supplying the uncured refractive index matching resin to an inside of the cable insertion tube.

Abstract: Core rod sections useable for production of finished optical fiber preforms are fabricated by inserting one or more core body pieces axially end-to-end inside a glass cylinder, thereby defining joints between adjacent ones of the inserted pieces. The cylinder is mounted with the contained core body pieces in the region of a furnace. The glass cylinder and core body pieces are heated together in the furnace, thereby elongating the cylinder and the core body pieces contained in the cylinder, and the cylinder collapses to form a finished core rod. Core rod sections are cut from the finished core rod at positions that coincide with the joints between the core body pieces. One or more of the cut core rod sections are useable for the production of optical fiber preforms.

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: In splicing two optical fibers to each other using an electric arc formed between electrodes images of the regions being heated and thereby fusioned to each other are taken. The images cover a rectangular field (43) having the fibers located centrally, along a center line of the field and parallel to the long sides of the field. The images are evaluated to determine a value of the position of the center of the electric arc in relation to the position of the end surfaces of the fibers. This value can then be used for placing the end surfaces just at the arc center. In the image the image of the optical fibers can be excluded so that only light intensity from the air discharge of the electric arc is recorded in the captured images. The field (41) excluded can be a narrow strip of uniform width located symmetrically around the image of the fibers.

Abstract: A fiber optic mechanical splice connector including a single connector element operable for providing optical fiber alignment and strain relief includes opposed splice components that define first and second grooves for receiving the bare glass portions of mating optical fibers, as well as the coated or buffered portion of at least one of the optical fibers when the splice components are biased together by an actuator. The mating optical fibers are aligned while the coated or buffered portion of one of the optical fibers is retained within the same connector element, thus eliminating positioning problems that occur when separate connector elements are utilized for fiber alignment and strain relief. The splice components may be unbiased to allow removal of at least one of the mating optical fibers without destroying the connector assembly or potentially damaging the optical fibers.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the invention, an optical connector for optically coupling respective end faces of two optical fiber cables including an optical fiber composed of a core and a cladding and a covering layer covering the optical fiber includes a protection sleeve, a cable insertion tube disposed in the protection sleeve for inserting thereinto and butting the respective end faces of the two optical fiber cables, an uncured refractive index matching material disposed between the protection sleeve and the cable insertion tube, and a supply hole formed in the cable insertion tube for supplying the uncured refractive index matching material to an inside of the cable insertion tube. The cable insertion tube includes a cable receiving room for receiving an end of the two optical fiber cables inserted, a fiber receiving room for receiving the optical fiber, and a covering removal member formed at a boundary of the cable receiving room and the fiber receiving room for removing the covering layer.

Abstract: Consistent with the present disclosure, a ferrule is provided that includes first and second channels, for example. Multiple fibers of a ribbon cable, for example, are divided into groups and fed into corresponding channels of the ferrule. Since multiple channels are provided, however, each channel can be made relatively narrow. As noted above, thermal stress in a channel increases with increasing channel widths. Thus, by providing smaller channel widths, the fibers in those channels experience less thermal stress. Moreover, the channels are spaced from one another so that the lateral spacing between adjacent fibers in the ribbon cable is maintained in the ferrule. As a result, the fibers are not bent laterally, and thus may experience little bending stress.

Abstract: A method of facilitating mid-span access of an optical fiber ribbon cable, and the resulting cable, that provides for redeveloping and/or modifying excess ribbon length with the accessed cable structure. The method includes the use of a form placed within the cable structure that controls the excess ribbon length. The method may further include the reconstitution of severed strength members.

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: A stretcher fiber includes a core region, inner trench region, ring region, outer trench region, and outer cladding region. The core region has a radius r1, a refractive index n1, and a positive effective refractive index ?n1 with respect to an outer cladding region having an outer radius r0 and a refractive index no, where ?n0 is equal to n1?n0. The inner trench region surrounds the core region and has an outer radius r2, a refractive index n2 less than n0, and a negative effective refractive index ?n2 equal to n2?n0. The ring region surrounds the trench region and has an outer radius r3, a refractive index n3 greater than n0, and a positive effective refractive index ?n3 equal to n3?n0. The outer trench region surrounds the ring region and has an outer radius r4, a refractive index n4 less than n0, and a negative effective refractive index ?n4 equal to n4?n0. The outer cladding region surrounds the outer trench region.

Abstract: In the jointing method of jointing an optical fiber F a softening point of which is higher than an optical lens L to the optical lens L, only the optical lens is softened by heating, and an end face as a joint portion of the optical fiber is pushed into a joint portion of the softened optical lens to thereby joint them.

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.