Hello, everyone!
Today, I will continue to explain fusion splicing. In this article, I will explain methods for aligning optical fibers.
As I said in a previous article, there are two methods used by a fusion splicer to align optical fibers. Those are:
Optical Core or PAS (Profile Alignment Systems), and
Local Injection and Detection (LID System).
Opticalcore or PAS (Profile AlignmentSystems)
Most fusion splicers use this optical fiber alignment technique. Optical fibers are illuminated from two directions (there are two light sources). The light sources are located at an angle of 90 degrees. On the opposite side, there are the cameras, which are at an angle of 90 degrees to each other. As well as light sources. Based on the image from these cameras, the fusion splicer software recognizes the fiber core and begins the process of adjusting the position of the optical fibers.
Figure 1. Optical Core or Profile Alignment Systems (PAS)
Profile alignment is used in fusion splicing ribbon cables. After splicing, the software evaluates the splice - mechanical resistance of the joint and attenuation.
Local Injection and Detection (LID System)
In this method, light enters the bent fiber as shown in Figure 2. On one side we have a light source, where light enters the fiber, after that, the next bending is where the light leaves the fiber. There is a photo detector. By moving the optical fiber, the fusion splicer measures light coupling. In this way, it seeks the position of the optical fibers to ensure the best transmission. This method, like the previous method, checks the splice after the fusion splicing is completed.
Figure 2. Local Injection and Detection (LID System)
In general, both of these methods work well and can be used. But the first method is more used - Optical Core or PAS (Profile Alignment Systems).
After the fusion splicing is completed, a splice protector is installed at the splice site. It is used to protect the splice. The splice protector is introduced into the heater of the fusion splicer, in order to melt the plastic and connect it to the optical fiber.
This is the end of this article. I will continue to write about this topic in the next article >> Fusion splicing (3).
Thank you!
