GB2068142A - Terminations for clad optical fibres - Google Patents
Terminations for clad optical fibres Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2068142A GB2068142A GB8102587A GB8102587A GB2068142A GB 2068142 A GB2068142 A GB 2068142A GB 8102587 A GB8102587 A GB 8102587A GB 8102587 A GB8102587 A GB 8102587A GB 2068142 A GB2068142 A GB 2068142A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- optical fibre
- sleeve
- cladding
- silica core
- ferrule
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 title claims description 9
- 239000013307 optical fiber Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 42
- VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silicium dioxide Chemical group O=[Si]=O VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 32
- 238000005253 cladding Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 28
- 239000004215 Carbon black (E152) Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 21
- 229930195733 hydrocarbon Natural products 0.000 claims abstract description 21
- 150000002430 hydrocarbons Chemical class 0.000 claims abstract description 21
- 239000002861 polymer material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 14
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 13
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 238000002844 melting Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- 230000008018 melting Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 14
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 claims description 11
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 claims description 9
- 229920002050 silicone resin Polymers 0.000 claims description 8
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 claims description 7
- -1 polytetrafluoroethylene Polymers 0.000 claims description 6
- 229920001343 polytetrafluoroethylene Polymers 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000004810 polytetrafluoroethylene Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000004812 Fluorinated ethylene propylene Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- HQQADJVZYDDRJT-UHFFFAOYSA-N ethene;prop-1-ene Chemical group C=C.CC=C HQQADJVZYDDRJT-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 5
- 229920009441 perflouroethylene propylene Polymers 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000012768 molten material Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 235000012239 silicon dioxide Nutrition 0.000 claims description 2
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
- G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
- G02B6/3807—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs
- G02B6/3833—Details of mounting fibres in ferrules; Assembly methods; Manufacture
- G02B6/3834—Means for centering or aligning the light guide within the ferrule
- G02B6/3835—Means for centering or aligning the light guide within the ferrule using discs, bushings or the like
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
- G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
- G02B6/3807—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs
- G02B6/3833—Details of mounting fibres in ferrules; Assembly methods; Manufacture
- G02B6/3855—Details of mounting fibres in ferrules; Assembly methods; Manufacture characterised by the method of anchoring or fixing the fibre within the ferrule
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
- G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
- G02B6/3807—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs
- G02B6/3833—Details of mounting fibres in ferrules; Assembly methods; Manufacture
- G02B6/3854—Ferrules characterised by materials
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Optics & Photonics (AREA)
- Mechanical Coupling Of Light Guides (AREA)
Abstract
In order to reduce or eliminate movement of the silica core relative to a clamping ferrule due to the resilience of the fibre cladding, a length of the cladding is removed from the end of the optical fibre and replaced by a fluorinated hydrocarbon polymer material of lower refractive index and greater strength and rigidity. The clamping ferrule and the silica core is bonded to this material either by melting it or heat shrinking it in position.
Description
SPECIFICATION
Improvements relating to methods of making terminations for clad optical fibres
This invention relates to methods of making terminations for clad optical fibres. Optical fibres commonly comprise a silica core within a silicone resin cladding and when making terminal connections of such fibres within demountable connectors, for example, the cladding is usually clamped by means of a metal ferrule firmly secured to the connector body. This arrangement in demountable connectors suffers from the disadvantage that the silica core of the optical fibre may still move relative to the clamping ferrule due to the resilience of the fibre cladding and/or poor adhesion between the core and the cladding and such movement may seriously affect the efficiency of the optical connector.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of making a termination for a clad optical fibre in which the above disadvantages are overcome or substantially reduced.
According to the present invention a method of making a terminations for a clad optical fibre comprises the steps of removing a portion of the cladding from the end of the optical fibre, coating the exposed silica core with a layer of a fluroinated hydrocarbon polymer material of lower refractive index and greater strength and rigidity than the cladding and forming a mechanical connection to the fluorinated hydrocarbon polymer layer for securing the fibre.
The fluorinated hydrocarbon polymer may comprise polytetrafluoroethylene which has a melting point of 300-400"C or a fluorinated ethylene propylene polymer which has a lower melting point (about 200"C).
The fluorinated hydrocarbon polymer material may be melted on to the silica core of the optical fibre or it may be provided in the form of a sleeve of suitable dimensions which may be heat shrunk on to the exposed silica core.
The fluorinated hydrocarbon material, as it is melted on to the core of the optical fibre may also serve to bond the core to a metal ferrule.
The invention also includes an optical fibre having a termination made by the method as set forth above.
By way of example the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings which depict in Figures 1 to 3 the steps in attaching a metal ferrule to the silica core of an optical fibre.
Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawing an optical fibre comprises a pure silica core 1 surrounded by silicone resin cladding 2 which in turn is contained within an outer plastics sheath 3. The optical fibre is prepared for connection to an optical fibre terminating structure, such as a demountable connector, by stripping back the outer plastics sheath 3 from the end of the optical fibre as shown and then removing the silicone resin cladding 2 to leave the end of the silica core 1 projecting from the end of the fibre. A sleeve 4 of polytetrafluoroethylene or a fluorinated ethylene propylene polymer is then fitted on to the core 1 as shown in Fig. 2 leaving as narrow a gap as possible between the sleeve 4 and the end face of the cladding 2. As will be seen the outer diameter of the sleeve 4 corresponds to that of the cladding 2.
As can be seen from Fig. 3 a metal ferrule 5 is then positioned over the sleeve 4 on the core 1 and the material of sleeve 4 melted in any convenient manner so that the ferrule 5 becomes bonded to the silica core 1. By means of the ferrule 5 the optical fibre may be mechanically secured to the body of a demountable connector for example.
The material of the sleeve 4 is mechanically stronger and significantly more rigid than the silicone resin cladding and consequently an improved mechanical connection is provided between the ferrule and connector body and the silica core 1 of the optical fibre so that movement of the core 1 relative to the ferrule is positively prevented.
Instead of the material of the sleeve 4 being completely melted, the sleeve can be heat shrunk on to the silica core 1.
The ferrule 5 preferably comprises two halves which are urged together by a suitable spring. Thus when it is placed over the sleeve 4 pressure is exerted on the sleeve 4 so that when it is melted, an improved bond is achieved between the ferrule 5 and the material of the sleeve 4 and the silica core 1 and the material. Any pockets of air are also forced out of the molten material. The split ferrule also achieves improved bonds when the sleeve 4 is not completely melted, but heat shrunk on to the silica core 1.
1. A method of making a termination for a clad optical fibre comprising the steps of removing a portion of the cladding from the end of the optical fibre characterised by the steps of coating the exposed silica core (1) of the optical fibre with a layer of a fluorinated hydrocarbon polymer material (4) of lower refractive index and greater strength and rigidity than the cladding (2) and forming a mechanical connection to the fluorinated hydrocarbon polymer layer (4) for securing the optical fibre.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that the fluorinated hydrocarbon polymer material (4) comprises polytetrafluoroethylene.
3. A method as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that the fluorinated hydrocarbon polymer material (4) comprises a fluorinated
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.
Claims (9)
1. A method of making a termination for a clad optical fibre comprising the steps of removing a portion of the cladding from the end of the optical fibre characterised by the steps of coating the exposed silica core (1) of the optical fibre with a layer of a fluorinated hydrocarbon polymer material (4) of lower refractive index and greater strength and rigidity than the cladding (2) and forming a mechanical connection to the fluorinated hydrocarbon polymer layer (4) for securing the optical fibre.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that the fluorinated hydrocarbon polymer material (4) comprises polytetrafluoroethylene.
3. A method as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that the fluorinated hydrocarbon polymer material (4) comprises a fluorinated ethylene propylene polymer.
4. A method as claimed in any preceding claim characterised in that the fluorinated hy drocarbon polymer material (4) is melted on to the silica core (1) of the optical fibre.
5. A method as claimed in any preceding claim in characterised in that the fluorinated hydrocarbon polymer material comprises a sleeve (4) which is heat shrunk on to the silica core (1) of the optical fibre.
6. A method as claimed in claim 4 in which the fluorinated hydrocarbon polymer material, as it is melted, is bonded on to a metal ferrule (5).
7. An optical fibre having a termination made by the method according to any preceding claim.
8. A method of making a termination for a clad optical fibre substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
9. An optical fibre having a termination constructed substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB8102587A GB2068142A (en) | 1980-01-29 | 1981-01-28 | Terminations for clad optical fibres |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB8002912 | 1980-01-29 | ||
| GB8102587A GB2068142A (en) | 1980-01-29 | 1981-01-28 | Terminations for clad optical fibres |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB2068142A true GB2068142A (en) | 1981-08-05 |
Family
ID=26274324
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB8102587A Withdrawn GB2068142A (en) | 1980-01-29 | 1981-01-28 | Terminations for clad optical fibres |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2068142A (en) |
Cited By (13)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0131742A3 (en) * | 1983-06-08 | 1986-01-22 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | A method for coupling the end section of an optical fiber cable to an optical connector |
| EP0223609A3 (en) * | 1985-11-20 | 1988-08-24 | Raychem Corporation (A Delaware Corporation) | Contact for terminating an optical fiber |
| EP0285784A1 (en) * | 1987-03-31 | 1988-10-12 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Fibre-optical connection and method of its production |
| US4865411A (en) * | 1987-12-16 | 1989-09-12 | American Telephone And Telegraph Company At&T Technologies, Inc. | Recoated spliced lengths of optical fibers |
| US4976596A (en) * | 1987-12-16 | 1990-12-11 | At&T Bell Laboratories | Apparatus for recoating spliced lengths of optical fibers |
| USRE34005E (en) * | 1985-11-20 | 1992-07-21 | Raychem Corporation | Contact for terminating an optical fiber |
| US5277730A (en) * | 1987-12-16 | 1994-01-11 | At&T Bell Laboratories | Methods of recoating spliced lengths of optical fibers |
| EP0574015A3 (en) * | 1992-06-12 | 1994-02-02 | Whitaker Corp | |
| US6154596A (en) * | 1998-03-26 | 2000-11-28 | Hughes Electronics Corporation | Front end preparation procedure for efficient coupling and improved power handling of light into a multi-mode fiber |
| US6317555B1 (en) * | 1998-05-06 | 2001-11-13 | Cidra Corporation | Creep-resistant optical fiber attachment |
| GB2450116A (en) * | 2007-06-13 | 2008-12-17 | Gsi Group Ltd | Termination of an optical fibre comprising angled capillary and cladding mode stripper |
| US7839902B2 (en) | 2006-06-23 | 2010-11-23 | Gsi Group Ltd. | Fibre laser system |
| EP2546687A1 (en) * | 2011-07-12 | 2013-01-16 | Hosiden Corporation | Optical connector and optical fiber coupling structure |
-
1981
- 1981-01-28 GB GB8102587A patent/GB2068142A/en not_active Withdrawn
Cited By (16)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0131742A3 (en) * | 1983-06-08 | 1986-01-22 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | A method for coupling the end section of an optical fiber cable to an optical connector |
| EP0223609A3 (en) * | 1985-11-20 | 1988-08-24 | Raychem Corporation (A Delaware Corporation) | Contact for terminating an optical fiber |
| US4790622A (en) * | 1985-11-20 | 1988-12-13 | Raychem Corp. | Contact for terminating an optical fiber |
| USRE34005E (en) * | 1985-11-20 | 1992-07-21 | Raychem Corporation | Contact for terminating an optical fiber |
| EP0285784A1 (en) * | 1987-03-31 | 1988-10-12 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Fibre-optical connection and method of its production |
| US4865411A (en) * | 1987-12-16 | 1989-09-12 | American Telephone And Telegraph Company At&T Technologies, Inc. | Recoated spliced lengths of optical fibers |
| US4976596A (en) * | 1987-12-16 | 1990-12-11 | At&T Bell Laboratories | Apparatus for recoating spliced lengths of optical fibers |
| US5277730A (en) * | 1987-12-16 | 1994-01-11 | At&T Bell Laboratories | Methods of recoating spliced lengths of optical fibers |
| EP0574015A3 (en) * | 1992-06-12 | 1994-02-02 | Whitaker Corp | |
| US6154596A (en) * | 1998-03-26 | 2000-11-28 | Hughes Electronics Corporation | Front end preparation procedure for efficient coupling and improved power handling of light into a multi-mode fiber |
| EP0945744A3 (en) * | 1998-03-26 | 2001-04-25 | Hughes Electronics Corporation | Front end preparation procedure for coupling of light into a multi-mode fiber |
| US6317555B1 (en) * | 1998-05-06 | 2001-11-13 | Cidra Corporation | Creep-resistant optical fiber attachment |
| US7839902B2 (en) | 2006-06-23 | 2010-11-23 | Gsi Group Ltd. | Fibre laser system |
| GB2450116A (en) * | 2007-06-13 | 2008-12-17 | Gsi Group Ltd | Termination of an optical fibre comprising angled capillary and cladding mode stripper |
| US8213753B2 (en) | 2007-06-13 | 2012-07-03 | Gsi Group Ltd. | System for delivering the output from an optical fibre |
| EP2546687A1 (en) * | 2011-07-12 | 2013-01-16 | Hosiden Corporation | Optical connector and optical fiber coupling structure |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |