Optical fibre joint for two or more branching couplings - uses laser or arc welding to fuse square-cut interface

摘要

The end of an optical-fibre (1) coupling is square-cut and polished to meet the corresponding ends of branching fibre couplings (17,29), shaped to set a narrow angle (alpha) between them and cut with side faces polished to match over the axis at the bifurcation (9,10), the mating surfaces being fused together by means of laser or arc welding. The cross-section of the branching couplings is modified longitudinally to minimise any loss in light throughput and the casing over the coupling may be coated with a strongly reflecting layer of gold, silver, palladium or aluminium plating. More than two branches can be joined at the same interface. ADVANTAGE - Reduced light losses and better control of light disposition.