Systems and methods for laser cleaving optical fibers

摘要

Systems and methods for laser cleaving optical fibers are disclosed. In certain embodiments discussed herein, a ferrule of a fiber optic connector with an optical fiber disposed therein may precisely position an optical surface of the optical fiber when establishing an optical connection with another optical fiber. The optical surface may be thermally formed by laser beam(s) directed to an end face of the ferrule and to an end portion of the optical fiber extending therefrom. By having at least ninety (90) percent of the light incident on the ferrule as S-polarized light, the optical surface may be formed closer to the ferrule. This is because the laser beam may be more readily reflected away from the ferrule instead of being absorbed within the ferrule and thereby causing ferrule damage.

主权项

1. A method of thermally forming an optical surface on an end portion of an optical fiber, comprising:
providing a ferrule having a first end, a second end, and a ferrule bore extending between the first end and the second end; disposing an optical fiber through the ferrule bore and extending the optical fiber through an end face on the second end of the ferrule; emitting a laser beam from an optical system including a laser, the laser beam comprising at least ninety (90) percent linearly-polarized light and configured to be incident on the ferrule as S-polarized light; and directing the laser beam to the end face of the ferrule and to an end portion of the optical fiber extending from the end face of the ferrule to thermally form an optical surface at the end portion of the optical fiber.