METHOD FOR FORMING A FUSED-FIBRE MONOLITHIC MONOMODE COUPLER

摘要

A method for forming a monolithic monomode coupler of N fibres in which a longitudinally extending portion is created within which the N fibres are arranged to form a bundle, said N fibres being simultaneously maintained under tension, heat being applied indirectly in correspondence with said bundle, means being provided for geometrically arranging the N fibres of said bundle in a predetermined pattern. The application of heat is controlled in relation to said geometrical arrangement of said N fibres of said bundle, by means of a structure completely enclosing said bundle in the radial direction and heated by heat sources not positioned within the structure. The completely enclosing structure consists of two half-shells with a mating profile, for example of C-shaped profile.