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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.
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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
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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:
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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
LicenseCreative Commons Attribution-Share Alike
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Fusion splicingProcess Stripping the fiberCleaning the
fiberCleaving the fiberSplicing the fibers
Hardware Governing standards ReferencesFurther reading
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