Optical fiber splice and methods of making

Abstract

A low loss optical fiber splice comprises first and second assemblies (52--52) each of which terminates an optical fiber. Each assembly includes a plug (30) that has a passageway (32) extending therethrough with a fiber positioned therein and having an end face (34) extending at least to an end face (36) of the plug. Each plug is received in a housing (59) which has a flange (66) at one end thereof and a bore (64) to allow the fiber to extend therethrough. A collar (68) and a spring (69) are disposed about the housing with the spring engaging the housing and the collar. After a fiber is secured within each plug, the fiber cores (24--24) are aligned with a curable optically matching adhesive material being injected between the end faces thereof. Then the adhesive material is cured to lock the fibers in an aligned position and to secure the plugs together. Afterwards, the collars are moved toward the housing bodies to compress the springs and the flanges are positioned in nests (71--71) of a support frame (54). Then the collars are released whereupon the springs cause the collars to engage the support frame and secure the assemblies thereto. Also, the springs cause compressive forces to be imparted to the interface between the fibers to maintain the splice connection notwithstanding temperature cycling.