Method for optical and mechanically coupling optical fibers

Details Method for optical and mechanically coupling optical fibers Method for optical and mechanically coupling optical fibers

1994-10-12

1996-10-01

Hoffmann, John

Glass manufacturing

Processes of manufacturing fibers, filaments, or preforms

Process of manufacturing optical fibers, waveguides, or...

C03B 2320

Patent

active

055607608

ABSTRACT:
A method and apparatus for splicing optical fibers. A fluorescing solder glass frit having a melting point lower than the melting point of first and second optical fibers is prepared. The solder glass frit is then attached to the end of the first optical fiber and/or the end of the second optical fiber. The ends of the optical fibers are aligned and placed in close proximity to each other. The solder glass frit is then heated to a temperature which is lower than the melting temperature of the first and second optical fibers, but which is high enough to melt the solder glass frit. A force is applied to the first and second optical fibers pushing the ends of the fibers towards each other. As the solder glass flit becomes molten, the layer of molten solder glass is compressed into a thin layer between the first and second optical fibers. The thin compressed layer of molten solder glass is allowed to cool such that the first and second optical fibers are bonded to each other by the hardened layer of solder glass.

REFERENCES:
patent: 3615312 (1971-10-01), Landry
patent: 4265684 (1981-05-01), Jeffery
patent: 4877303 (1989-10-01), Caldwell
patent: 4883522 (1989-11-01), Hagerty
patent: 5134470 (1992-07-01), Ravetti
patent: 5183489 (1993-02-01), Brehm
"Hoya Laser Glass" Brochure, Aug. 1978, Hoya Corp.
Applied Optics, p. 1284, vol. 20, No. 8, 15 Apr. 1981.
Eickhoff et al, "Optical Fiber Splicing Using Low-Melting Point Glass Solder," 1979, pp. 63-67, Fiber & Integrated Optics vol. 2, No. 1.
Miller, "Optical Fiber Splicing", Feb. 1977, WA3-(1-6) Topical Meeting on Optical Fiber TransMission II.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Method for optical and mechanically coupling optical fibers does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Method for optical and mechanically coupling optical fibers, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method for optical and mechanically coupling optical fibers will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1499598