| 摘要 |
The present invention relates to methods of connecting optical fibers. In a first aspect, the method proceeds by using a ferrule device having a passage adapted to apply radial pressure to optically align and hold in position opposed fiber ends, and fusing said fiber ends held by said ferrule device. In another aspect, the method of the present invention uses a ferrule device to optically align without mechanized adjustment and hold in position opposed fiber ends with a gap where said fiber ends meet, where the fibers have a temperature of fusion that is higher than a melting temperature of said ferrule device. The gap is large enough to reduce heat transfer from said fibers to said ferrule device so that a heat of fusion does not compromise said ferrule device and small enough that a heat of fusion does not cause said fiber ends to become misaligned and impair an optical coupling between said fiber ends. The method then transmits radiation directly onto said fiber ends without significant direct transmission onto said ferrule device to generate heat in said fiber ends and fuse said fiber ends held by said ferrule device. |
