METHOD FOR JOINING GLASS PREFORM DURING MANUFACTURING OF OPTICAL FIBER

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for assembling two optical fiber tubular performs by connecting their ends to the ends without adversely affecting the local glass chemical properties of a junction.

SOLUTION: The ends of the two tubes to be joined together are reverse tapered by polishing in such a manner that the outer portions of tube walls extend further to the side outer than the inner portions of the tube walls. When the two tubes having such ends are made together by rapid heating, the reverse tapers minimize the sizes of the cross-sectional areas of the tubular portions to be joined. The heat of the smallest quantity not adversely affecting the glass chemical properties of the junction is applied to the tubes in order to perform tentative welding to join the tubes. When the tentative welding once comes to a prescribed position, the additional heat can be applied together with vacuum force to the tubes. As a result, the sealing of the weld zone is perfected.

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