Claims
- 1. Method for forming a low reflectance termination on an end of an optical fiber comprisingtensioning said optical fiber between two spaced points thereon, moving a ball termination torch from a given location in a given direction with respect to said fiber such that a portion of the flame therefrom intercepts said fiber and severs said fiber into two pieces each having a tapered end, retracting at least one of said tapered ends a predetermined distance in a direction away from the other of said tapered ends, and continuing to move said torch such that said flame heats said at least one of said tapered ends to cause it to become shortened.
- 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of continuing to move said torch comprises continuing to move said torch in said given direction.
- 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of continuing to move said torch comprises reversing the direction of said torch and traversing said torch back to said given location.
- 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of tensioning comprises tensioning said optical fiber between two stripping clamps and retracting at least one of said stripping clamps away from the other of said stripping clamps.
- 5. The method of claim 4, wherein said stripping clamps are positioned a distance of no more than approximately 4 cm apart, whereby fiber curl on said optical fiber having said rounded end termination is minimized.
- 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of tensioning comprises simultaneously retracting said clamps in opposite directions.
- 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of continuing to move said torch results in the formation of a low reflectance termination having a back reflection less than −60 dB.
Parent Case Info
This is a division of application Ser. No. 09/043,758, filed Mar. 25, 1998 U.S. Pat. No. 6,092,394 which is a 371 of PCT/US96/15254 filed Sep. 16, 1996, and claims Benefit to No. 60/004,647 filed Sep. 29, 1995.
US Referenced Citations (8)
Foreign Referenced Citations (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
3-46602 |
Feb 1991 |
JP |
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60/004647 |
Sep 1995 |
US |