Multi-electrode system with vibrating electrodes

摘要

A multi-electrode system includes a fiber holder that holds at least one optical fiber, a plurality of electrodes arranged to generate a heated field to heat the at least one optical fiber, and a vibration mechanism that causes at least one of the electrodes from the plurality of electrodes to vibrate. The electrodes can be disposed in at least a partial vacuum. The system can be used for processing many types of fibers, such processing including, as examples, stripping, splicing, annealing, tapering, and so on. Corresponding fiber processing methods are also provided.

主权项

1. A multi-electrode system comprises:
at least one optical fiber holder configured to hold at least one optical fiber; a plurality of electrodes arranged around the at least one optical fiber; and a control circuit electrically coupled to the plurality of electrodes and configured to drive the plurality of electrodes in a rotating phase sequence to generate at least one arc that pulses on and off to form a substantially uniform heated field to provide evenly distributed heating around a circumference of the at least one optical fiber, wherein the rotating phase sequence takes place so rapidly that substantially constant heating is provided to the at least one optical fiber, as thermal time constants of the at least one optical fiber and surrounding air are longer than an oscillation period of the at least one arc.