JPS62272209A - Fusion splicing device for constant polarizing optical fiber - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To shorten aligning time by rough aligning by roughly aligning a double refraction axis by manual operation while observing the end faces of optical fiber cores by a microscope. CONSTITUTION:A butting rod 50 is lifted to the upper stage. The optical fiber cores 10 are set up on prescribed positions and pressed by fiber clamps 26 and sheath clamps 30. Then, the right and left optical fibers 10 are advanced and abutted upon the abutting rod 50 to determine the interval between the fiber cores 10 at the start of fusing. Then, the abutting rod 50 is descended up to the lower stage. Fine electrostatic discharge is instantaneously executed to expose the end faces of the optical fiber cores 10 to high heat so that stress applying parts 18 are easily observed. Then the rod 50 is lifted up to the intermediate stage. The optical fiber cores 10 are clamped by rotary clamps 39, and while observing the stress applying parts 18 by the microscope 62, a dial 46 is manually rotated to execute rough adjustment of the parts 18. Then, the rod 50 is descended up to the lower stage. Optical fibers 12 are adjusted in the Z, X and Y directions and then the theta axis is automatically centered to execute discharge fusion. Since the automatic adjustment is executed after the rough adjustment, the adjusting time can be shortened.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] 3. Detailed Description of the Invention [Field of Industrial Application] This invention relates to a fusion splicing device for polarization-controlled optical fibers,
In particular, it relates to an observation mechanism for the end face of an optical fiber.

[Background of the Invention] The one shown in FIG. 5 is a so-called panda type of polarization-controlled optical fiber, in which 12 is an optical fiber (the part from which the coating is removed), 14 is a core, 16 is a cladding, and 18 is a stress-applied fiber. Department.

When fusion splicing this type of constant polarization optical fiber, x,
In addition to alignment in the y direction, it is necessary to align the birefringence axis (theta axis). In addition, for the alignment of the θ-axis, as shown in FIG. 5(a), a stress material is used. When matching parts 11 and 18, (b
), there are cases where the largest discrepancy occurs.

Alignment of the θ-axis can be automated using a power monitor or a crosstalk monitor.

However, if self-alignment is used from the beginning, there are problems in that it takes a long zero time and (2) it is difficult to distinguish between (a) and (b) above.

[Children's Guide to Solving Problems] The present invention enables rough alignment of the θ-axis by one manual operation while observing the end face of an optical fiber with a microscope.

[Example] In FIG. 1, 10 shows the whole optical fiber core wire, 12 shows the optical fiber, 20 shows the sheath part, and 22 shows the main body of the connecting device.

The optical fiber 12 rests on the VtM block 24 and is held down by the fiber clamp 26, and the sheath portion 20 rests on the block 28 and is held down by the sheath clamp 30.

When the block 28 is manually or automatically rotated in the direction of the arrow 32, the tip of the optical fiber 12 moves forward and backward.

A rotation mechanism is provided as a unique feature of a polarization constant optical fiber. - The right rotation mechanism 34A is, for example, a manual type.

The fixed part 4 of the rotating clamp 39 is attached to the tip of the fixed arm 36.
0 and a movable portion 42 of a rotary clamp 39 are provided at the tip of the movable arm 38, and by rotating a cam 44, the optical fiber core IO is laterally sandwiched between the one-rotation clamp 39.

By manually rotating the dial 46, the optical fiber core 10
With the arm 36 still clamped, move the arm 36 around its axis.
．． 38 to align the birefringence axis (θ axis).

Further, the left rotation mechanism 34B is an automatic type, and is rotated using a motor 48. Note that the rotation of the motor 48 is controlled by a power meter such as a received light power that passes through a connection point and is detected by a power meter.

50 is the entire abutting rod. The upper end portion 52 is in the shape of a plate with a predetermined width (FIG. 2), and the upper end is in the shape of a right-angled isosceles triangular prism, with mirrors 54 on both sides of the right angle.

A first solenoid 56 is fixed to the connecting device main body 22 and lifts the yoke 58 by a predetermined height. Further, a solenoid 60 of ff12 is fixed to the yoke 58, and it lifts the abutting rod 50 by a predetermined height.

The abutting rod 50 is in the lower stage when both solenoids 56 and 60 are at rest, and is in the middle stage when only the solenoid 60 is working.
If you work on both, you will be on the upper level. The meanings of the upper, middle, and lower tiers will be explained later.

62 is a microscope equipped with epi-illumination.

Note that it is also possible to use a method such as pulling the top and bottom of the abutting rod 50 with a wire using a motor.

[Function] (1) As shown in FIG. 3(a), raise the abutting rod 50 to the upper level.

The optical fiber 10 is set at a predetermined position n, and the fiber clamp 26. Hold with sheath clamp 30.

Then, advance the left and right optical fibers lO, and press! ! A
Use the rod 50 to determine the a--distance at the start of fusion.

(2) Lower the abutting rod 50 to the lower stage as shown in FIG. 2(b).

Then, a weak electrical discharge is generated between the optical fibers 12 and the end face of the optical fiber 12 is exposed to high heat. Then, the stressed material! i Part 18 becomes easier to observe.

(3) Raise the abutting rod 50 to the middle stage as shown in FIG. 2(C).

Then, the optical fiber 10 is clamped with the rotating clamp 39, and while being observed with the WJ microscope 62 (Fig.
? ), turn the dial 46 by hand to coarsely center the stressed tip 18 to the state shown in FIG. 5(a) or (b).

(4) Lower the abutting rod 50 to the lower level again.

Then, the optical fiber 12 is adjusted in two directions, and

Self-alignment is performed in the y direction and the θ axis, and discharge welding is performed.

1. Effects of the Invention (1) The two types of connections shown in FIG. 5, which could not be determined using a power monitor or crosstalk monitor, are now possible.

(2) Coarse alignment reduces the time required for alignment.

[BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing only a schematic side view of the embodiment of Kihatsu Ill and a plan view of the right rotation mechanism 34A. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view III of the tip of the abutment rod 50, and FIGS. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a microscope field of view, and FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b) are explanatory diagrams of how to connect a panda type polarization constant optical fiber. 10: Optical fiber core wire 12: Optical fiber 18: Stress applying part 20: Sheath part 22: Connection device main body 2
4: V groove block 26: Fiber clamp 28 Ni block 30 Niji screw clamp 34A, B: Rotating mechanism 39
: Rotating clamp 40: Fixed part 42: Movable part
50: Abutment rod 52: Upper end of abutment rod 54: Mirror 62: Microscope

Claims (1)

[Claims] A fixed-polarization optical fiber fusion device that is equipped with a mechanism that can clamp an optical fiber and manually rotate it about its axis, and that is equipped with an abutment rod for adjusting the spacing at the tip of the optical fiber. In the splicing device, a mirror is provided at the upper end of the abutment rod so that the end faces of both left and right optical fibers can be observed simultaneously under a microscope, and the abutment rod is placed at predetermined positions in the upper, middle, and lower stages. The feature is that each can be stopped.
Fusion splicing equipment for constant polarization optical fiber.