Alignment for splicing multi-core optical fibers

摘要

A multi-core optical fiber may include a cladding with a cross section having a central region and an outside diameter. Multiple transmission cores are arranged symmetrically within the central region of the cladding, extending parallel to a central axis of the multi-core optical fiber. Multiple alignment cores are arranged within the cladding, extending parallel to the central axis of the multi-core optical fiber and near the outside diameter of the cladding so that each of the multiple alignment cores are visible through a side view of the cladding. Ends of similarly configured multi-core optical fibers may be mated and aligned. Alignment cores of a first multi-core optical fiber may be aligned with alignment cores of a second multi-core optical fiber using a side view of the mating interface. Aligning the alignment cores causes multiple transmission cores with the multi-core optical fibers to also align.

主权项

1. A multi-core optical fiber, comprising:
a cladding that includes a cross section with a central region and an outside diameter; multiple transmission cores arranged symmetrically within the central region of the cladding and extending parallel to a central axis of the multi-core optical fiber; a trenched area around each of the multiple transmission cores, wherein the trenched area has a first refractive index that is higher than a second refractive index of the multiple transmission cores; and multiple alignment cores arranged within the cladding, extending parallel to the central axis of the multi-core optical fiber and near the outside diameter of the cladding, wherein the arrangement permits each of the multiple alignment cores to be visible through a side view of the cladding, wherein, when an end of the multi-core optical fiber is mated to another end of another multi-core optical fiber to form a mating interface, alignment of the multiple alignment cores with other multiple alignment cores of the other multi-core optical fiber at the mating interface causes the multiple transmission cores and other multiple transmission cores of the other multi-core optical fiber to also be aligned at the mating interface, and wherein each of the trenched areas causes radiation leaks, from one of the multiple transmission cores, at the mating interface to be redirected back into one of the other multiple transmission cores of the other multi-core optical fiber.