METHOD FOR MAKING SEPARABLE MULTIPLE CORE OPTICAL FIBERS, THE RESULTING FIBER STRUCTURES, AND USES THEREOF

摘要

Optical fiber structures having multiple cores may be fabricated by controlling the placement of the cores prior to final processing to make the multi-core fiber structure (80). When the fiber is to be separable, at least two performs are attached, and the attachment height between adjacent performs is controlled to allow separation to be realized. These performs are then drawn together to form a desired composite fiber, either or both ends of which may be separated to allow for individual manipulation of fiber ends. The separable multi-core fiber (80) may be utilized to fabricate an optical component in which an input and an output fibers are attached to the component, and the exposed distal ends of the separable multi-core fiber are thereafter separated from one another to provide separated waveguides for pigtailing or splicing to input or output fibers (or other planar or micro-optic components).