MEMORY POLYMER OPTICAL FIBER SPLICER AND METHOD OF USING THE SAME

摘要

PURPOSE: To make it possible to obtain single structure products of a low cost suitable for use and mass production without requiring special high performance apparatus by first producing an intrinsic shape memory polymer material to the first form and swelling the material, then partially shrinking the material to a second form (shape change) and returning the material to a first form by impartation of a non-mechanical stimulus to an object. CONSTITUTION: The single structure 21a of an optical fiber joint consisting of the single structure 21a of the intrinsic shape memory polymer material has a longitudinal length having both ends to allow the insertion of the object from the holes having a first hole 25a at one end and a second hole 29a at the other end into these holes. The single structure 21a has a first form and a second form. The first form has the existing intrinsic shape which may be restored. The first hole 25a and the second hole 29a have such predetermined diameters as to fit and to securely hold the ends of the respective bare optical fibers respectively having the existing diameter to a joint array with each other. The single structure of the intrinsic shape memory polymer material is first formed to the first form known as an intrinsic shape and is then swollen and partially shrunk to the second deformation. The deformation is returned to the first form by the non-mechanical stimulus of heat. As a result, the single structure products of the low cost suitable for use and mass production are obtd without using special high performance apparatuses.