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White Papers

Innovation is a key component of the AFL culture and one of our core values. Our engineers continually research and develop the latest in optical fiber technology to provide the best solutions for the industry and our customers. Check out these white papers-you might find the answer you're seeking.

 

Fourier Analysis Method for Asymmetric Polarization-Maintaining Fiber Alignment

by: Wenxin Zheng, Hiroshi Sugawara, Bryan Malinsky

Abstract: A new method for alignment of asymmetric polarization-maintaining (PM) fibers has been developed. It improves alignment accuracy for PM fibers with asymmetric stress applying parts. It provides a fast and accurate universal method for splicing recently developed PM fiber types.

 

Stripping Optical Fibers Utilizing the Fujikura PCS-100 Polyimide Coating Stripper

by: Robert Valerio

Abstract: The recently released Fujikura PCS-100 is a novel stripping tool for removing polyimide coating from optical fibers. Extensive testing on the stripping ability of this equipment has demonstrated repeatable high tensile strength values with narrow distributions, both for polyimide and acrylate-coated optical fibers. Additionally, the PCS-100 stripping process has been shown to create an evenly beveled coating edge, ideal for applications that include recoating.

 

Interrelation Profile Analysis Method for Alignment of Polarization-Maintaining Fiber

by: Wenxin Zheng, Doug Duke, Toshiki Kubo, and Bryan Malinsky

Abstract: A new method for alignment of polarization-maintaining (PM) fibers has been developed that solves alignment problems with low-contrast PM fibers. It provides a fast and accurate universal method for PM fiber alignment.

 

Heating Power Feedback Control for CO2 Laser Fusion Splicers

by: Wenxin Zheng, Hiroshi Sugawara, Toshirou Mizushima, William Klimowych

Abstract: A novel feedback control method has been developed for an automated splicer using a CO2 laser as the heating element. The feedback method employs a sensor for laser beam power and CMOS cameras as sensors for fiber luminescence which is directly related to glass temperature. The CO2 laser splicer with this type of feedback system provides a consistent platform for the fiber laser and bio-medical industry for fabrication of fused glass components such as tapers, couplers, combiners, mode-field adaptors, and fusion splices. With such a closed loop feedback system, both splice loss and peak-to-peak taper ripple are greatly reduced.

 

Automated Alignment and Splicing for Multicore Fibers

by: Wenxin Zheng

Abstract: A novel method for aligning multi-core fibers (MCF) provides a systematic approach for MCF splicing in the lab, in cable factories, and in the field. This method also provides possibility of loss estimation for side-cores using IPA method and central core with WSI images.

 

Fluorine-doped Core Boosts Radiation Resistance of Single-mode Fiber

by: Sean Foley

Abstract: Reliable fiber-optic communications in high-radiation environments such as linear accelerators and nuclear reactors is made possible by silica fibers with optimized fluorine-doped cores.

 

Arc Power Calibration for Fusion Splicing Optical Fibers with Variety Diameters

by: Wenxin Zheng and Bryan Malinsky

Abstract: A novel arc calibration method has been developed for fusion splicing optical fibers with a large variety of glass diameters. This method heats the fiber with multiple short arcs and measures the amount of meltback at the corner of the fiber-ends. The fiber corner melting speed is found to be proportional to the fiber temperature. By varying the arc power of the multiple arcs, we can determine the desired arc power and appropriate melting speed for the tested fiber. This method has tested to be consistent and accurate using a newly released splicer with a controllable plasma zone. The splicer can automatically select the correct arc power for various fiber glass diameters. It enables the optimized splice parameters to be easily transferred to multiple splicers in production lines, resulting in consistent, high quality splice results.