METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FUSION SPLICING OPTICAL FIBERS

摘要

An apparatus for fusion splicing optical fibers includes an airtight enclosure, a vacuum pump for evacuating the enclosure, first and second electrodes positioned within the enclosure, and a power source separate from an external to the enclosure for applying a voltage to the first electrode for generating an arc between the electrodes that is used to splice the first and second optical fiber portions together. Also, a method of fusion splicing optical fibers includes receiving first and second fiber portions within an airtight enclosure, evacuating the airtight enclosure, and applying a voltage to a first electrode within the enclosure from a source located separate from external to the enclosure to cause the generation of an arc between the first electrode and a second electrode with the enclosure that is used to splice the first and second optical fiber portions together.