Deterministic cleave of optical fiber

摘要

Axial tension is applied to an optical fiber that had been scored at the intended cleave location, wherein the axial tension is applied in a time-varying manner to maintain the stress intensity factor for crack on the fiber within an acceptable level to produce a stable crack growth at a reasonable rate to cleave the fiber without requiring polishing of the end surface. Careful control of the applied tension force with time acts to control the velocity of the propagating crack by maintaining substantially constant stress intensity factor. The applied axial tension force is reduced with time and/or crack growth (as crack propagates). As a result, the strain energy in the fiber material is released by formation of a single plane with an optical quality surface without requiring polishing. A substantially flat optical surface of enhanced optical quality is formed at the cleaved end of the optical fiber.

主权项

1. A method of cleaving an optical fiber, comprising:
providing an initial crack at the surface of the optical fiber; applying an initial force to initiate crack growth from the initial crack; and after crack growth is initiated, applying an axial force to the optical fiber in a time varying manner, wherein the axial force is applied in a manner decreasing with time, to propagate crack growth to cleave the optical fiber.