MELT STICKING AND CONNECTING METHOD OF OPTICAL FIBER

摘要

PURPOSE:To enable a reduction in thermal stress and to improve the strength in the junction of fibers in the stage of melt sticking and connecting the fibers by increasing the distance between the central axis of the fibers and the central axis of discharge electrodes prior to the termination of discharge. CONSTITUTION:The position of an electrode 3 at the point of the time when electric discharge is started is within the same plane as the central axis of optical fibers 2 opposing to each other. The position of the electrode 3 is thereafter moved in a (y)-axis direction. The temp. in a discharge path 4 is highest in the central part and drops on the outside of the path 4. The heating temp. of the fibers drops when the displacement between the fiber axis 2 and the central axis of the electrode 3 is increased. If the moving speed of the electrode 3 is reduced during this time, the abrupt fluctutation in the fiber temp. is prevented and the thermal stress by local heating is decreased.