METHODS FOR LASER PROCESSING ARRAYED OPTICAL FIBERS ALONG WITH SPLICING CONNECTORS

• US 20110198324A1
• Filed: 02/16/2011
• Published: 08/18/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Corning Optical Communications LLC (Corning Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Corning Optical Communications LLC (Corning Incorporated)
• Inventors: de Jong, Michael, Luther, James P., Hall, Radawan, Isenhour, Micah C., Knecht, Dennis M.
• Granted Patent: US 9,268,091 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 219/121.72
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/245 Removing protective coverings of light guides before coupling
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/25 Preparing the ends of light guides for coupling, e.g. cutting
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/2555 Alignment or adjustment devices for aligning prior to splicing
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/32 having lens focusing means positioned between opposed fibre ends with lens being an integral part of the single fibre end G02B6/262
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3809 without a ferrule embedding the fibre end, i.e. with bare fibre end
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3825 with an intermediate part, e.g. adapter, receptacle, linking two plugs

Abstract

A method for laser processing arrays of optical fibers and high-fiber count splicing connectors and adapters are disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing a structure having optical fibers arranged in a plurality of rows and placing a protection element adjacent to a first row of optical fibers and a second row of optical fibers. Thereafter, the first row of optical fibers can be processed using the laser. The protection element may also be used to move optical fibers. In one embodiment, the protection element has a first portion and a second portion that have relative movement therebetween. In other variations, an absorption element may be provided adjacent the first row of optical fibers for inhibiting incidental damage to the structure.

Claims

1. A method for laser processing a plurality of optical fibers comprising the steps of:

providing a structure having a plurality of optical fibers arranged in a plurality of rows;

inserting a protection element adjacent to a first row of optical fibers and a second row of optical fibers for shielding the second row of fibers; and

laser processing the first row of optical fibers.

2. The method of claim 1, further including the step of providing an absorption element adjacent to the first row of optical fibers.

3. The method of claim 1, further including the step of using the protection element to move the second row of optical fibers.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the protection element is a reflection element.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the protection element is an absorption element.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the protection element is a dispersion element.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the protection element has a first portion and a second portion.

8. The method of claim 7, further including the step of moving the first portion of the protection element relative to the second portion of the protection element.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the protection element includes a hinge and a space therebetween.

10. The method of claim 7, further including the step of inserting one or more optical fibers into a space between the first portion and the second portion of the protection element.

11. The method of claim 1, further including the step of repositioning the protection element for laser processing the second row of optical fibers.

12. A method for laser processing a plurality of optical fibers comprising the steps of:

providing a structure having a plurality of optical fibers arranged in a plurality of rows;

inserting a protection element adjacent to the plurality of optical fibers so that a first row of optical fibers are presented for laser processing and a second row of optical fibers are shielded, the protection element having a first portion and a second portion; and

laser processing the first row of optical fibers.

13. The method of claim 12, further including the step of providing an absorption element adjacent to the first row of optical fibers.

14. The method of claim 12, further including the step of using the protection element to move the second row of optical fibers.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the protection element includes one or more of a reflection element, an absorption element and a dispersion element.

16. The method of claim 12, further including the step of moving the first portion of the protection element relative to the second portion of the protection element.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the protection element includes a space disposed between a hinge of the protection element.

18. The method of claim 12, further including the step of inserting the first row of optical fibers into a space between the first portion and the second portion of the protection element.

19. The method of claim 12, further including the step of repositioning the protection element for presenting the second row of optical fibers for laser processing and shielding the second row of optical fibers.

20. A protection element for laser processing optical fibers, comprising:

a first portion;

a second portion attached to the first portion by a hinge and a space between the first portion and the second portion for receiving optical fibers for laser processing.