Fusion splicing 1

Fusion splicing

A modern fusion splicer

Fusion splicing is the act of joining two optical fibers end-to-end using heat. Thegoal is to fuse the two fibers together in such a way that light passing through thefibers is not scattered or reflected back by the splice, and so that the splice andthe region surrounding it are almost as strong as the virgin fiber itself. The sourceof heat is usually an electric arc, but can also be a laser, or a gas flame, or atungsten filament through which current is passed.

ProcessThe process of fusion splicing normally involves using localized heat to melt or fuse the ends of two optical fiberstogether. The splicing process begins by preparing each fiber end for fusion.

Stripping the fiberStripping is the act of removing the protective polymer coating around optical fiber in preparation for fusionsplicing. The splicing process begins by preparing both fiber ends for fusion, which requires that all protectivecoating is removed or stripped from the ends of each fiber. Fiber optical stripping is usually carried out by a specialstripping and preparation unit that uses hot sulphuric acid or a controlled flow of hot air to remove the coating. Thereare also mechanical tools used for stripping fiber which are similar to copper wire strippers. Fiber optical strippingand preparation equipment used in fusion splicing is commercially available through a small number of specializedcompanies, which usually also designs machines used for fiber optical recoating.

Cleaning the fiberThe bare fibers are cleaned using alcohol and wipes.

Cleaving the fiberThe fiber is then cleaved using the score-and-break method so that its endface is perfectly flat and perpendicular tothe axis of the fiber. The quality of each fiber end is inspected using a microscope. In fusion splicing, splice loss is adirect function of the angles and quality of the two fiber-end faces. The closer to 90 degrees the cleave angle is thelower optical loss the splice will yield.

Fusion splicing 2

Splicing the fibers

Fiber spliced, still unprotected

Current fusion splicers are either core or cladding alignment. Usingone of these methods the two cleaved fibers are automatically alignedby the fusion splicer in the x,y,z plane, then are fused together. Prior toremoving the spliced fiber from the fusion splicer, a proof-testperformed to ensure that the splice is strong enough to survivehandling, packaging and extended use. The bare fiber area is protectedeither by recoating or with a splice protector. A splice protector is aheat shrinkable tube with a strength membrane.

A simplified optical splicing procedure includes:1.1. Characteristics of placement of the splicing process.2.2. Checking fiber optic splice closure content and supplementary kits.3.3. Cable installation in oval outlet.4.4. Cable preparation.5.5. Organization of the fibers inside the tray.6.6. Installing the heat shrinkable sleeve and testing it.

HardwareThe basic fusion splicing apparatus consists of two fixtures on which the fibers are mounted and two electrodes.These fixtures are often called sheath clamps. Inspection microscope assists in the placement of the prepared fiberends into a fusion-splicing apparatus. The fibers are placed into the apparatus, aligned, and then fused together.Initially, fusion splicing used nichrome wire as the heating element to melt or fuse fibers together. Newfusion-splicing techniques have replaced the nichrome wire with carbon dioxide (CO2) lasers, electric arcs, or gasflames to heat the fiber ends, causing them to fuse together. The small size of the fusion splice and the developmentof automated fusion-splicing machines have made electric arc fusion (arc fusion) one of the most popular splicingtechniques in commercial applications.Alternatives to fusion splicing include using optical fiber connectors or mechanical splices both of which havehigher insertion losses, lower reliability and higher return losses than fusion splicing.

Governing standardsANSI/EIA/TIA-455

References

Further reading Introduction to Fiber Optics (http:/ / www. sciencedirect. com/ science/ book/ 9780750667562) by John Crisp

Article Sources and Contributors 3

Article Sources and ContributorsFusion splicing Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=616944101 Contributors: A5b, Afluegel, Anthony81212, Bartoki, Bdebear, Chiwawa 42, Dratoff, Flopsy Mopsy andCottonmouth, Gobonobo, Hasanunsal, Imaginationac, Madalibi, Mindmatrix, Mr Splicer, MrOllie, Quebec99, Srleffler, Surpluseq, Tetenyi, Thumperward, Timsellars1027, WCroslan, Widr, 50anonymous edits

Image Sources, Licenses and ContributorsFile:Core alignment splicer by Ilsintech.png Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Core_alignment_splicer_by_Ilsintech.png License: Creative CommonsAttribution-Sharealike 3.0 Contributors: User:Hasan nsalFile:Optical fiber fusion splicing.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Optical_fiber_fusion_splicing.jpg License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0Contributors: Jrme Nicolle

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Fusion splicingProcess Stripping the fiberCleaning the fiberCleaving the fiberSplicing the fibers

Hardware Governing standards ReferencesFurther reading

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