35
ADVANCED OPERATION - Splicing program structure: Splicing process
Pulling or tapering
Pre-defined program: 09
Pulling or tapering is used primarily to create micro-lenses
and microscope fiber probes out of fiber end-faces. During
the process, the splicer simultaneously pulls and heats the
fibers into an hour glass shape that eventually divides at the
tip. This tapering process increases the mode field diameter
to give the fiber a higher numerical aperture. To then capital-
ize on this phenomenon to make a micro-lens, the ends are
made to take on a semi-spherical form which can focus light
from an external source into the core.
Example of fiber probes for a micro-
scope
Hour-glass form at the end of the first
pulling step using Program 09
Pulling or tapering control parameters
PULL 1, PULL 2, PULL 3
are the three parameters controlling the pulling or tapering
process. They represent three rounds of pulling, and each is
associated with the FUSION CURRENT and FUSION TIME
carrying the same number (eg. FUSION CURRENT 2 is the
current used during PULL 2). The PULL parameters are
binary and can only be turned off or on.
Example of micro-lenses formed using
Program 09
Sample program for creating fiber probes
FUSION CURRENT 1 12 mA
FUSION TIME 1 15 sec.
PULL 1 Yes
FUSION CURRENT 2 10 mA
FUSION TIME 2 5 sec.
PULL 2 Yes
FUSION CURRENT 3 7 mA
FUSION TIME 3 10 sec.
PULL 3 Yes
To Next Page
Loading...