Methods, apparatuses and articles for fibre-optic systems

摘要

The invention relates to methods, apparatuses and articles for systems comprising optical fibres. It aims to insert an optical signal into an optical fibre through its cladding and to extract an optical signal from an optical fibre also through its cladding. For this purpose, use is made of an optical coupling means which is in contact with the surface of the cladding in the region of a bent portion of the fibre. The object of the invention is also to align the ends of optical fibres axially. For this purpose, means are provided for retaining two fibres so that their ends are approximately abutted and axially in line. At least one of the retention means can be moved in order to maximise the optical signal extracted and thus in order to align the fibres. The invention enables signal losses to be reduced to a minimum. <IMAGE>