L = 242 µm
L = 244 µm
L = 243 µm
D = 76 µm
SIMP MORE SENSIBLE
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splice point. This can be accomplished
in one of two methods: 1) the larger core
can be tapered down to match the smaller core size or 2) the smaller core can be
expanded by heating it before or during
the splice. In the most extreme example,
splicing a single-mode fiber to a multi-
mode fiber will typically induce 20 dB
of loss when going from the multimode
to the single-mode fiber; using MFAs,
it is possible to lower this loss to below
1 dB. Most of today’s specialty splicers
have this capability.
Overcladding
Overcladding is the process of placing a
fiber into a capillary tube and collapsing the tube until it fuses with the fiber.
Figure 4 shows overcladding used on a
fiber combiner. This process can also be
used to provide a hermetic seal between
a fiber and a capillary tube.
One of the more interesting uses of
overcladding is to combine it with an
inverse-tapered fiber. It is possible to in-
crease the core numerical aperture of the
fiber over a short distance by reversing
the taper process; after creating this up-
taper, the fiber is cleaved in the expanded
region. The expanded fiber is then placed
in a capillary tube and the tube collapsed
to create a hermetic seal. High-energy
light can then be launched into the larger
core-diameter region that has been cre-
ated. In the taper, the core adiabatical-
ly reduces to its normal size, preventing
substantial energy loss.
Many companies in the fiber industry
have been fabricating specific discrete
components for over 30 years; most of
that work was done on customized, proprietary equipment. As a result of the recent developments in specialty splicing
and glass-processing equipment, we have
seen numerous advances in the capabili-
ties of fiber-optic components. The high-precision fabrication equipment now
readily available makes the production
of ever-more-complex fiber-optic com-
ponents easier, a situation conducive to
innovation in the industry.
Brad Hendrix is global specialty market manager and Mike Harju is application and process development manager at AFL, Duncan,
SC; e-mail: Brad.Hendrix@aflglobal.com; www.
aflglobal.com.
FIGURE 4. A multifiber combiner
is contained by an over-clad tube.
(Courtesy of AFL)
