At+t Corp.

Richard S Riggs

Sandra Greenberg Kosinski

Guenther Wilhelm Kammlott

John T Krause

We have discovered that the strength of arc fusion splices in optical fiber can be adversely affected by particles (e.g., SiO.sub.2 particles) from the electrodes. Disclosed is a method of arc fusion splicing that can substantially increase the probability that a given fiber splice will meet a given strength requirement. The method comprises initiating the arc in a 'cleaning' position selected such that the probability of incidence on the fibers of particles from the electrodes is relatively low, followed by changing the relative position between the electrodes with the arc therebetween and the fibers to the conventional 'heating' position and forming the splice.

Growing community of inventors

Branchburg Township, NJ, United States of America

Richard S Riggs