Method for optical and mechanically coupling optical fibers

Patent · Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1996

OSTI ID:870617

Toeppen, John S ^[1]

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1. Livermore, CA

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.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 5560760
• OSTI ID: 870617
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

method
optical
mechanically
coupling
fibers
apparatus
splicing
fluorescing
solder
glass
frit
melting
prepared
attached
fiber
aligned
placed
close
proximity
heated
temperature
melt
force
applied
pushing
towards
flit
molten
layer
compressed
allowed
cool
bonded
hardened
molten solder
glass frit
melting temperature
close proximity
optical fibers
optical fiber
mechanically coupling
/65/