Optics: measuring and testing – For optical fiber or waveguide inspection
Patent
1996-02-29
1997-10-21
McGraw, Vincent P.
Optics: measuring and testing
For optical fiber or waveguide inspection
G01N 2188
Patent
active
056802064
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a method and device for testing the properties of at least one splice in at least one optical waveguide.
After a spliced joint of an optical waveguide has been finished, there is a practical interest in the extent to which the finished splice meets the requirements placed on it. However, to date the possibility of checking, for example, the mechanical properties of the finished splice has been only unsatisfactory.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the object of the invention to specify a way in which the properties of at least one finished optical waveguide splice can be checked reliably in a simple way in each case. In accordance with the invention, this object is achieved in a method of the type mentioned at the beginning when during a prescribable test period the splice is subjected to a tensile stress, during loading of the splice with the tensile stress, light is launched into the optical waveguide upstream of the splice and light is coupled out of the optical waveguide downstream of the splice, and the power of the coupled-out light is determined continuously as a function of the tensile stress.
Owing to the fact that the respectively finished splice is subjected to a tensile stress and an optical power which is transmitted, that is to say transferred, via the splice is determined continously in the process as a function of this mechanical tensile loading, it is possible to acquire multifarious, detailed information on the properties, in particular mechanical characteristics, of the splice. Thus, for example, it becomes possible to make reliable statements on the quality of the core alignment and/or cladding alignment of the respective optical waveguide in the region of its splice, on the tensile strength, breaking strength and expansion behavior of said splice, etc. Since the coupled-out optical power is determined continuously as a function of the mechanical loading on the splice, it is possible not only to test the splice for the two states of "optical waveguide severed" or "optical waveguide not severed", but also to conduct an assessment which is much more finely graded.
The invention also relates to a device for testing the mechanical properties of at least one splice in at least one optical waveguide, which is characterized in that at least one tension device is provided which subjects the splice to a tensile stress during a prescribable test period, in that a coupling device is provided upstream of the splice for launching light into the optical waveguide and a coupling device is provided downstream of the splice for coupling light out, and in that an evaluation/control device is provided which determines the power of the coupled-out light continuously as a function of the tensile stress.
Other developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
The Figure is a diagrammatic illustration of a device for performing the method of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The invention and its developments are explained in more detail below with the aid of a drawing which shows an exemplary embodiment of a test or measuring device PE according to the invention. Represented by way of example in the sole FIGURE is an optical waveguide F1 having a finished splice SP which is produced, for example, by welding, by bonding or by means of other connections (for example a connecting sleeve) of the separate sections, preferably aligned with one another end face to and face of the optical waveguide F1 in the region of its disconnect point. In order to be able in the present exemplary embodiment to launch or couple a measuring light SL into the optical waveguide F1 from left to right as seen along a longitudinal axis, of the waveguide it is preferable to provide a first optical bending coupler BK1 at the transmitting end as a coupling device. For coupling purposes, the optical waveguide F1 is guided in a curved fashion around a bending mandrel or bending cylinder ZT1, which has
REFERENCES:
patent: 5040866 (1991-08-01), Engel
patent: 5078489 (1992-01-01), Lieber
patent: 5187767 (1993-02-01), Hayes et al.
patent: 5410396 (1995-04-01), Rochester
Glaesemann et al, "Method for Obtaining Long-Length Strength Distributions for Reliability Prediction", Optical Engineering, vol. 30, No. 6, Jun. 1991, pp. 746-748.
McGraw Vincent P.
Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
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