Engineering:Fusion splicing

Short description: Technique used for permanently connecting two optical fibers, by melting together their ends.

File:Video of optical fiber splicing - 01.ogv

Fiber spliced, still unprotected

COMWAY fusion splicing

INNO View 7 splicer on a tripod and work table

Fusion splicing is the act of joining two optical fibers end-to-end. The goal is to fuse the two fibers together in such a way that light passing through the fibers is not scattered or reflected back by the splice, and so that the splice and the region surrounding it are almost as strong as the intact fiber. The source of heat used to melt and fuse the two glass fibers being spliced is usually an electric arc, but can also be a laser, a gas flame, or a tungsten filament through which current is passed.

Governing standards

ANSI/EIA/TIA-455

See also

• Fiber-optic communication
• Optical fiber connector

References

• "Methods of Removing Matrix from Fiber Optic Cable" US patent 7125494

Further reading

• "How to Precision Clean All Fiber Optic Connections": Edward J. Forrest, Jr. ISBN:1505549728
• Fiber Optic Association