Aurora Instruments, Inc.

John A Snedeker

John A Crowell

Simon P Bush

A splicing stage for fusion joining two optical fibers comprises an electric arc welding system, a clamping and fiber position adjustment system, and an optional imaging optical system. The stage is preferably incorporated in a compact, low profile, modular fusion splicing system that employs a local injection and detection system to optimally align and position the fibers before fusion. The system is rugged, portable, and capable of operating in an adverse environment. Compact and low in profile, the splicing stage and system are operable with minimal clearance to adjacent equipment and structures and with only a minimal amount of free fiber slack available. Simplicity of design and operation enable accurate alignment and reproducible formation of low transmission loss spliced joints.

Low profile splicing stage for optical fiber waveguides

A local injection and detection system assesses the attenuation of light propagating from a first optical fiber to a second optical fiber associated therewith. The system comprises a light injector, a light detector, a driver to energize a light source in the injector, and a receiver. Light from the light source is injected into the first optical fiber and propagates therethrough. A portion of the propagating light in the second fiber is extracted onto a light responsive element in the detector. The system is particularly adapted for use in a system for splicing optical fibers, the system minimizing the insertion loss of the joint by optimally aligning the fibers prior to fusing them. In addition, the insertion loss of a joint can be inferred by comparing light attenuation before and after the joint is fused. The present system is compact and low in profile, enabling it to be used with a fusion splicer that operates with minimal clearance to adjacent equipment and structures. Simplicity of design and operation enable accurate alignment and low loss fusion of fibers for which only a minimal amount of free slack is available.

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Chatham, PA, United States of America

John A Snedeker