Abstract:
A method of cleaving an optical fiber comprises inserting the optical fiber through a bore of a holding member, securing the optical fiber to the holding member with a bonding agent, operating at least one laser to emit at least one laser beam, and directing the at least one laser beam from the at least one laser to the end face of the holding member. At least a portion of the at least one laser beam reflects off the end face of the holding member and is thereafter incident on an end portion of the optical fiber. The at least one laser beam cleaves the end portion of the optical fiber less than 20 μm from the end face of the holding member. Related systems are also disclosed.
Abstract:
A system and method for marking a moving surface of a fiber optic cable is provided. The system includes a supply of the fiber optic cable, a laser generating device configured to generate a laser beam that forms markings by interacting with the material of the moving surface of the fiber optic cable. The system includes a movement device moving the fiber optic cable through the system at a speed of at least 50 m per minute. The system includes a laser directing device located in the path of the laser beam and configured to change the path of the laser beam to direct the laser beam to a plurality of discrete locations on the moving surface to form a series of marks on the moving surface. The moving surface includes a plurality of tracking indicia to allow the position of the moving surface to be determined.
Abstract:
A method of forming an optical surface on an end portion of an optical fiber inserting the optical fiber through a ferrule bore of a ferrule so that the end portion extends past an end face on the ferrule. At least one laser beam is emitted from at least one laser and directed to the end face of the ferrule at a location spaced from the ferrule bore. The at least one laser beam is also directed at an angle relative to the end face of the ferrule so as to be incident on the end portion of the optical fiber after reflecting off the end face of the ferrule. The at least one laser is operated to cleave the end portion of the optical fiber, and the end face on the ferrule does not crack due to thermal expansion when the at least one laser is operated.
Abstract:
A method cleaving an end portion of an optical fiber involves providing a ferrule having a first end, a second end, and a ferrule bore extending between the first and second ends. An optical fiber is inserted through the ferrule bore so that an end portion of the optical fiber extends past an end face on the second end of the ferrule. At least one laser beam is emitted from at least one laser and directed to be incident on the end portion of the optical fiber at a first location. The at least one laser beam is emitted and directed to have a maximum beam width that is less than an outer diameter of the optical fiber at the first location so that the at least one laser can be operated to form a hole in the optical fiber at the first location.
Abstract:
A method of cleaving an optical fiber comprises inserting the optical fiber through a bore of a holding member, securing the optical fiber to the holding member with a bonding agent, operating at least one laser to emit at least one laser beam, and directing the at least one laser beam from the at least one laser to the end face of the holding member. At least a portion of the at least one laser beam reflects off the end face of the holding member and is thereafter incident on an end portion of the optical fiber. The at least one laser beam cleaves the end portion of the optical fiber less than 20 μm from the end face of the holding member. Related systems are also disclosed.
Abstract:
A crush resistant, kink resistant optical cable including crush resistant, kink resistant optical fiber buffer tubes and systems and method for making the same are provided. The buffer tubes include a depression pattern formed along the outer surface of the buffer tube. The depression pattern provides areas of decreased thickness in the buffer tube facilitating flexibility and kink resistance. The system and method relates to laser ablation for forming the depression pattern in the buffer tube.
Abstract:
A method of forming an optical surface on an end portion of an optical fiber comprises inserting the optical fiber through a ferrule bore of a ferrule so that the end portion extends past an end face on the ferrule. At least one laser beam is emitted from at least one laser and directed to the end face of the ferrule. The at least one laser beam is shaped into an ellipse and comprises at least 90 percent linearly-polarized light incident on the end face of the ferrule as S-polarized light. The at least one laser is operated so that the S-polarized light reflects off the end face of the ferrule and cleaves the end portion of the optical fiber.
Abstract:
A system and method for marking a moving surface of a fiber optic cable is provided. The system includes a supply of the fiber optic cable, a laser generating device configured to generate a laser beam that forms markings by interacting with the material of the moving surface of the fiber optic cable. The system includes a movement device moving the fiber optic cable through the system at a speed of at least 50 m per minute. The system includes a laser directing device located in the path of the laser beam and configured to change the path of the laser beam to direct the laser beam to a plurality of discrete locations on the moving surface to form a series of marks on the moving surface. The moving surface includes a plurality of tracking indicia to allow the position of the moving surface to be determined.
Abstract:
A method of polishing an optical fiber that extends through a ferrule involves: (a) determining a polishing depth by measuring the distance between an end of the optical fiber and an end face of the ferrule with an interferometer; (b) performing a polishing step based on the the polishing depth to remove material from the end of the optical fiber; and (c) repeating steps (a) and (b) until the end of the optical fiber is within a predetermined distance of the end face of the ferrule. Related systems for polishing an optical fiber that extends through a ferrule are also disclosed.
Abstract:
A method cleaving an end portion of an optical fiber involves providing a ferrule having a first end, a second end, and a ferrule bore extending between the first and second ends. An optical fiber is inserted through the ferrule bore so that an end portion of the optical fiber extends past an end face on the second end of the ferrule. At least one laser beam is emitted from at least one laser and directed to be incident on the end portion of the optical fiber at a first location. The at least one laser beam is emitted and directed to have a maximum beam width that is less than an outer diameter of the optical fiber at the first location so that the at least one laser can be operated to form a hole in the optical fiber at the first location.