Systems and methods for reducing splice loss in optical fibers

摘要

Techniques are described for reducing splice loss by using an ultra-short bridge fiber to splice together a first fiber and a second fiber having different modefield diameters. The ultra-short bridge fiber has an intermediate modefield diameter between the modefield diameters of the first and second fibers. In one described technique, a first end of the ultra-short bridge fiber is spliced to a lead end of the first fiber at a first splice point. The bridge fiber is then cleaved at a predetermined distance away from the first splice point. A lead end of the second fiber is then spliced to cleaved end of the bridge fiber at a second splice point. A single protective splint is then installed that covers the bridge fiber and the first and second splice points. Further described is an optical fiber transmission line including an ultra-short bridge fiber.