METHOD OF MAKING FIBER OPTIC COUPLERS WITH PRECISE POSITIONING OF FIBERS

摘要

The method uses capillary holes in a glass preform for precise positioning of the optical fibers in the manufacture of a coupler. The glass preform is preferably cylindrical and longitudinal capillary holes are made in it in a desired pattern. Optical fibers are inserted in the holes and the glass preform is heated and stretched in its middle section so that the fibers, from which coating has been removed, contact and are fused with the glass preform in this tapered section. Then the tapered section is cleaved to form a coupling end which is spliced with another fiber to form the coupler.