US20170121222A1 - Electric arc apparatus for processing an optical fiber, and related systems and methods - Google Patents
Electric arc apparatus for processing an optical fiber, and related systems and methods Download PDFInfo
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- US20170121222A1 US20170121222A1 US15/404,305 US201715404305A US2017121222A1 US 20170121222 A1 US20170121222 A1 US 20170121222A1 US 201715404305 A US201715404305 A US 201715404305A US 2017121222 A1 US2017121222 A1 US 2017121222A1
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- optical fiber
- longitudinal axis
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
- C03C—CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF GLASSES, GLAZES OR VITREOUS ENAMELS; SURFACE TREATMENT OF GLASS; SURFACE TREATMENT OF FIBRES OR FILAMENTS MADE FROM GLASS, MINERALS OR SLAGS; JOINING GLASS TO GLASS OR OTHER MATERIALS
- C03C25/00—Surface treatment of fibres or filaments made from glass, minerals or slags
- C03C25/62—Surface treatment of fibres or filaments made from glass, minerals or slags by application of electric or wave energy; by particle radiation or ion implantation
- C03C25/6293—Plasma or corona discharge
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- 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
- G02B6/255—Splicing of light guides, e.g. by fusion or bonding
- G02B6/2552—Splicing of light guides, e.g. by fusion or bonding reshaping or reforming of light guides for coupling using thermal heating, e.g. tapering, forming of a lens on light guide ends
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
- C03B—MANUFACTURE, SHAPING, OR SUPPLEMENTARY PROCESSES
- C03B37/00—Manufacture or treatment of flakes, fibres, or filaments from softened glass, minerals, or slags
- C03B37/10—Non-chemical treatment
- C03B37/14—Re-forming fibres or filaments, i.e. changing their shape
- C03B37/15—Re-forming fibres or filaments, i.e. changing their shape with heat application, e.g. for making optical fibres
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
- C03C—CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF GLASSES, GLAZES OR VITREOUS ENAMELS; SURFACE TREATMENT OF GLASS; SURFACE TREATMENT OF FIBRES OR FILAMENTS MADE FROM GLASS, MINERALS OR SLAGS; JOINING GLASS TO GLASS OR OTHER MATERIALS
- C03C15/00—Surface treatment of glass, not in the form of fibres or filaments, by etching
- C03C15/02—Surface treatment of glass, not in the form of fibres or filaments, by etching for making a smooth surface
-
- 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
- G02B6/255—Splicing of light guides, e.g. by fusion or bonding
- G02B6/2551—Splicing of light guides, e.g. by fusion or bonding using thermal methods, e.g. fusion welding by arc discharge, laser beam, plasma torch
-
- 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
- G02B6/3863—Details of mounting fibres in ferrules; Assembly methods; Manufacture fabricated by using polishing techniques
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
- H01J37/00—Discharge tubes with provision for introducing objects or material to be exposed to the discharge, e.g. for the purpose of examination or processing thereof
- H01J37/32—Gas-filled discharge tubes
- H01J37/32009—Arrangements for generation of plasma specially adapted for examination or treatment of objects, e.g. plasma sources
- H01J37/32055—Arc discharge
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
- H01J37/00—Discharge tubes with provision for introducing objects or material to be exposed to the discharge, e.g. for the purpose of examination or processing thereof
- H01J37/32—Gas-filled discharge tubes
- H01J37/32431—Constructional details of the reactor
- H01J37/32532—Electrodes
- H01J37/32541—Shape
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
- H01J37/00—Discharge tubes with provision for introducing objects or material to be exposed to the discharge, e.g. for the purpose of examination or processing thereof
- H01J37/32—Gas-filled discharge tubes
- H01J37/32431—Constructional details of the reactor
- H01J37/32532—Electrodes
- H01J37/32568—Relative arrangement or disposition of electrodes; moving means
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
- H01L21/00—Processes or apparatus adapted for the manufacture or treatment of semiconductor or solid state devices or of parts thereof
- H01L21/02—Manufacture or treatment of semiconductor devices or of parts thereof
- H01L21/04—Manufacture or treatment of semiconductor devices or of parts thereof the devices having at least one potential-jump barrier or surface barrier, e.g. PN junction, depletion layer or carrier concentration layer
- H01L21/18—Manufacture or treatment of semiconductor devices or of parts thereof the devices having at least one potential-jump barrier or surface barrier, e.g. PN junction, depletion layer or carrier concentration layer the devices having semiconductor bodies comprising elements of Group IV of the Periodic System or AIIIBV compounds with or without impurities, e.g. doping materials
- H01L21/30—Treatment of semiconductor bodies using processes or apparatus not provided for in groups H01L21/20 - H01L21/26
- H01L21/302—Treatment of semiconductor bodies using processes or apparatus not provided for in groups H01L21/20 - H01L21/26 to change their surface-physical characteristics or shape, e.g. etching, polishing, cutting
-
- 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
- G02B6/25—Preparing the ends of light guides for coupling, e.g. cutting
-
- 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
- G02B6/255—Splicing of light guides, e.g. by fusion or bonding
- G02B6/2553—Splicing machines, e.g. optical fibre fusion splicer
-
- 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
- G02B6/3616—Holders, macro size fixtures for mechanically holding or positioning fibres, e.g. on an optical bench
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
- H01J2237/00—Discharge tubes exposing object to beam, e.g. for analysis treatment, etching, imaging
- H01J2237/32—Processing objects by plasma generation
- H01J2237/33—Processing objects by plasma generation characterised by the type of processing
- H01J2237/334—Etching
Definitions
- This disclosure relates generally to optical fibers, and more particularly to electric arc apparatuses for processing optical fibers, and related systems and methods.
- Optical fibers are useful in a wide variety of applications, including the telecommunications industry for voice, video, and data transmissions.
- a telecommunications system that uses optical fibers
- fiber optic cables that carry the optical fibers connect to equipment or other fiber optic cables.
- fiber optic connectors are often provided on the ends of fiber optic cables.
- the process of terminating individual optical fibers from a fiber optic cable is referred to as “connectorization.” Connectorization can be done in a factory, resulting in a “pre-connectorized” or “pre-terminated” fiber optic cable, or the field (e.g., using a “field-installable” fiber optic connector).
- a fiber optic connector typically includes a ferrule with one or more bores that receive one or more optical fibers.
- the ferrule supports and positions the optical fiber(s) with respect to a housing of the fiber optic connector.
- an optical fiber in the ferrule is positioned in a known, fixed location relative to the housing. This allows an optical connection to be established when the optical fiber is aligned with another optical fiber provided in the mating component (i.e., the other connector or an adapter).
- the ferrule bore in a fiber optic connector may extend from a rear of the ferrule to a front of the ferrule.
- an optical fiber can be passed through the ferrule so as to extend beyond an end face of the ferrule.
- an optical surface i.e., an end surface/facet intended for optical coupling
- the optical surface is typically formed a precise distance from the end face of the ferrule according to very tight dimensional standards to reduce signal attenuation.
- the final optical surface of the optical fiber may be within 200 nm of the end face of the ferrule.
- One conventional method of forming an optical surface involves a mechanical cleaving step followed by several mechanical polishing steps.
- Such methods can be time-consuming and labor-intensive due to the number of polishing steps required to precisely control material removal and meet the tight dimensional requirements. For example, it may be necessary to begin with coarse grit when mechanically polishing and gradually switch to finer grits in subsequent polishing steps to carefully control the protrusion of the optical fiber from the end face of the ferrule and to form an optical surface of high quality.
- Mechanical polishing processes can be time-consuming, labor-intensive, and use a large amount of consumables. Additionally, these processes sometimes suffer from low yields due to human error.
- an optical fiber refers to “at least one optical fiber,” as the electric arc apparatuses disclosed may be used to process multiple optical fibers.
- the electric arc apparatus includes a body defining a space configured to accommodate the optical fiber extending along a longitudinal axis.
- the electric arc apparatus also includes one or more first electrodes and one or more second electrodes.
- the one or more first electrodes are coupled to or integrally formed with the body, and each terminates at a first location spaced from the longitudinal axis.
- the one or more second electrodes each terminates at a second location spaced from the first location in direction along or parallel to the longitudinal axis.
- the one or more first electrodes or one or more second electrodes are configured to receive a voltage that generates an plasma field between the first and second locations, and the first and second locations are positioned so that the plasma field intersects the longitudinal axis when the plasma field is generated.
- the first electrode(s) each at least partially converge before terminating at the first location, and/or the second electrode(s) each at least partially converges before terminating at the second location.
- an electric arc apparatus includes one or more first electrodes each having an end portion terminates at an opening defined by the one or more first electrodes.
- the opening is configured to accommodate the optical fiber extending along a longitudinal axis.
- the electric arc apparatus also includes one or more second electrodes each having an end portion that terminates at a location spaced from the opening defined by the one or more first electrodes.
- the one or more first electrodes or one or more second electrodes are configured to receive a voltage that generates a plasma field between the one or more first electrodes and the one or more second electrodes.
- the one or more first electrodes and the one or more second electrodes are shaped to focus the plasma field so that the plasma field extends across the longitudinal axis and modifies the end of the optical fiber.
- this may be achieved by the end portion(s) of the one or more first electrodes each at least partially converging before terminating at the opening, and by the end portion(s) of the one or more second electrodes each at least partially converging before terminating at the location spaced from the opening.
- Methods of processing an optical fiber using an electric arc apparatus are also disclosed.
- the electric arc apparatus may be one of those mentioned above, for example.
- One embodiment of such a method involves extending the optical fiber along the longitudinal axis, positioning an end of the optical fiber closer to the one or more first electrodes than to one or more second electrodes, providing a voltage to the one or more first electrodes or the one or more second electrodes to generate a plasma field, wherein the plasma field modifies the end of the optical fiber.
- a method of processing an optical fiber with an electric arc apparatus involves extending the optical fiber along a longitudinal axis, wherein one or more first electrodes of the electric arc apparatus each terminates at a first location spaced from the longitudinal axis. An end of the optical fiber is positioned closer to the one or more first electrodes than to one or more second electrodes of the electric arc apparatus. The one or more second electrodes each terminates at a second location that is spaced from the first location in a direction along or parallel to the longitudinal axis.
- the method also involves providing a voltage to the one or more first electrodes or the one or more second electrodes to generate a plasma field between the first and second locations. The first and second locations are positioned so that the plasma field intersects the longitudinal axis, and the plasma field modifies the end of the optical fiber.
- a method of processing an optical fiber involves extending the optical fiber along a longitudinal axis, wherein the longitudinal axis extends through an opening defined by one or more first electrodes of an electric arc apparatus.
- the one or more first electrodes each have an end portion that terminates at the opening
- the method also involves positioning an end of the optical fiber closer to the one or more first electrodes than to one or more second electrodes of the electric arc apparatus.
- the one or more second electrodes each have an end portion that terminates at a location spaced from the opening defined by the one more first electrodes.
- a voltage is provided to the one or more first electrodes or the one or more second electrodes to generate a plasma field between the one or more first electrodes and the one or more second electrodes.
- the plasma field is focused by the one or more first electrodes and the one or more second electrodes so that the plasma field extends across the longitudinal axis and modifies the end of the optical fiber.
- FIG. 1 a perspective view of an example of a fiber optic connector
- FIG. 2 is an exploded side view the fiber optic connector of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a portion of a fiber optic cable that includes an optical fiber, a primary coating applied to the optical fiber, and a tight buffer coating applied to the primary coating, with some of the tight buffer coating having been removed from an end section of the optical fiber and primary coating;
- FIG. 4 is a schematic view similar to FIG. 3 , but with the primary coating removed from the end section of the optical fiber;
- FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the fiber optic cable of FIG. 4 prior to inserting the end section of the optical fiber into a bore of a ferrule;
- FIG. 6 is a schematic view of one embodiment of an electric arc apparatus that may be used to process an optical fiber
- FIG. 7 is a schematic view similar to FIG. 6 , but illustrating the electric arc apparatus generating a plasma field to modify an end of the optical fiber;
- FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the optical fiber of FIGS. 6 and 7 after having been processed with the electric arc apparatus;
- FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a conventional electric arc apparatus being used to process an end of an optical fiber
- FIG. 10 is a schematic view of the optical fiber of FIG. 9 after having been processed with the conventional electric arc apparatus;
- FIG. 11 is a schematic view of an embodiment of an electric arc apparatus that has a first electrode defining an opening configured to accommodate an optical fiber;
- FIG. 12 is a schematic view of a portion of an electric arc apparatus according to another embodiment, wherein the electric arc apparatus has a plurality of first electrodes (or a single first electrode with a plurality of end segments) defining an opening configured to accommodate an optical fiber;
- FIG. 13 is a schematic view of an electric arc apparatus according to yet another embodiment being used to process an end of an optical fiber
- FIG. 14 is a schematic view of an electric arc apparatus according to yet another embodiment being used to process an end of an optical fiber
- FIG. 15 is a schematic view of an electric arc apparatus according to yet another embodiment being used to process an end of an optical fiber
- FIG. 16 is a schematic view of an electric arc apparatus having a body configured to receive a ferrule that has an optical fiber extending therethrough;
- FIG. 17 is a schematic view of a portion of the electric arc apparatus of FIG. 16 being received in a space between a ferrule and housing of a fiber optic connector;
- FIG. 18 is a schematic view of an electric arc apparatus being used to process an optical fiber that still includes a primary coating.
- the description relates to devices and methods processing an optical fiber.
- the processing may be part of terminating one or more optical fibers with a fiber optic connector, either in the field or in a factory, and forming a fiber optic cable assembly.
- a fiber optic connector (“connector”) 10 is shown in FIG. 1 .
- the connector 10 is shown in the form of a SC-type connector, the devices and methods described below may be applicable to different connector designs. This includes ST, LC, FC, MU, MT, and MTP-type connectors, for example, and other single-fiber or multi-fiber connector designs.
- the description below relates to processing an optical fiber that is to be used in a fiber optic connector rather than a fiber optic connector itself.
- a general overview of the connector 10 will be provided simply to facilitate discussion, as one or more components of the connector 10 may be referred to when subsequently describing the devices and methods for processing an optical fiber.
- the connector 10 includes a ferrule 12 having a front end 14 and rear end 16 , a ferrule holder 18 having opposed first and second end portions 20 , 22 , and a housing 24 (also referred to as an “inner housing” or “connector body”).
- the rear end 14 of the ferrule 12 is received in the first end portion 20 of the ferrule holder 18 , while the front end 14 remains outside the ferrule holder 18 .
- the second end portion 22 of the ferrule holder 18 is received in the housing 24 .
- a spring 26 may be disposed around the second end portion 22 and configured to interact with walls of the housing 24 to bias the ferrule holder 18 (and ferrule 12 ).
- a lead-in tube 28 may extend from a rear end of the housing 24 to within the second end portion 22 of the ferrule holder 18 to help guide the insertion of an optical fiber (not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 ) into the ferrule 12 .
- An outer shroud 32 (also referred to as an “outer housing”) is positioned over the assembled ferrule 12 , ferrule holder 18 , and housing 24 , with the overall configuration being such that the front end 16 of the ferrule 12 presents an end face 34 configured to contact a mating component (e.g., another fiber optic connector; not shown).
- FIG. 3 schematically illustrates an example of a fiber optic cable 38 including an optical fiber 40 upon which the connector 10 may be installed.
- the optical fiber 40 guides light through a principle known as “total internal reflection,” where light waves are contained within a core by a cladding that has a different index of refraction than the core.
- the core and cladding are not labeled in FIG. 3 , but together define the optical fiber 40 and may comprise glass (e.g., germanium-doped silica).
- One or more coating layers surround the optical fiber 40 to protect the optical fiber 40 from the environment and mechanical loads.
- a primary coating 42 surrounds the optical fiber 40
- a tight buffer coating 44 surrounds the primary coating 42 .
- the primary coating 42 may be an acrylic polymer or the like and simply be referred to as “the coating”.
- the tight buffer coating 44 may comprise polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyurethane, polyolefin, or the like, and be referred to as a “tight buffer.”
- PVC polyvinyl chloride
- the optical fiber 40 , primary coating 42 , and tight buffer coating 44 represent part of the fiber optic cable 38 , which may or may not include other optical fibers.
- the primary coating 42 and tight buffer coating 44 are removed from a section of the optical fiber 40 before installing a connector, such as the connector 10 .
- the tight buffer coating 44 has been removed (i.e., “stripped”) from the primary coating 42 over an end section 48 of the optical fiber 40 .
- the primary coating 42 has been removed from the end section 48 of the optical fiber 40 to expose the optical fiber 40 .
- the optical fiber is then ready to be inserted into a bore 50 of the ferrule 12 , as shown in FIG. 5 .
- the devices and methods described below may be used to process the optical fiber before or after such insertion.
- the processing may relate to polishing the optical fiber 40 (i.e., forming an optical surface of a desired quality for optical coupling on an end of the optical fiber 40 ).
- the optical fiber 40 may be inserted through the bore 50 and, in some embodiments, even secured to the ferrule 12 using a bonding agent (also referred to as an “adhesive composition”; not shown) before such processing takes place.
- a bonding agent also referred to as an “adhesive composition”; not shown
- such processing may take place prior to inserting and/or securing the optical fiber 40 in the ferrule 12 .
- FIG. 6 schematically illustrates one embodiment of an electric arc apparatus 100 that accommodates the optical fiber 40 extending along a longitudinal axis A 1 .
- the optical fiber 40 is positioned by a support or body 102 .
- a generic element supporting the optical fiber 40 is shown in FIG. 6 as the support 102 , but as will be apparent from the description of other embodiments below, the electric arc apparatus 100 may alternatively or additionally include a body that is coupled to or part of an electrode and that defines a space through which the optical fiber 40 extends. The body in such embodiments may even serve as the support 102 , positioning the optical fiber 40 along the longitudinal axis A 1 .
- embodiments will be described below to further illustrate these aspects.
- the optical fiber 40 has an end 104 and a front facet/surface 106 with a profile characterized by roughness, cracks, scratches, undesirable geometry, or other physical attributes that would likely result in excessive attenuation if the front surface 106 was part of an optical coupling with another optical fiber or a device.
- the processing described below modifies the end 104 of the optical fiber 40 so that the front surface 106 has a smoother profile with a desired curvature and/or angle relative to the longitudinal axis A 1 .
- the processing may be used to make what is known in the optical communications industry as a physical contact (PC), superior physical contact (SPC), ultra physical contact (UPC), or angled physical contact (APC) polish.
- PC physical contact
- SPC superior physical contact
- UPC ultra physical contact
- API angled physical contact
- a high precision cleaver (not shown) may be used prior to processing with the electric arc apparatus 100 .
- low-precision cleaving may be performed with low-cost tools (e.g., scissors), or even without tools (e.g., looping the optical fiber 40 until the optical fiber 40 breaks), and optionally be followed by one or more preliminary polishing steps using polishing pads or other conventional devices prior to final processing with the electric arc apparatus 100 .
- the electric arc apparatus 100 includes a first electrode 110 and second electrode 112 .
- first and second in this context simply refer to the electrodes having different polarities at a given time.
- the first electrode 110 may be electrically coupled to a positive terminal of a power source 114 , such as a battery
- the second electrode 112 may be electrically coupled to a negative terminal of the power source 114 or to ground.
- the second electrode 112 may be electrically coupled to the positive terminal of the power source 114 while the first electrode 110 may be electrically coupled to the negative terminal or to ground.
- the power source 114 may supply direct current such that the first and second electrodes 110 , 112 maintain their polarity, or alternating current such that the first and second electrodes 110 , 112 switch polarity while current is supplied.
- the power source 114 may be a wall outlet, for example.
- first and second electrodes 110 , 112 Only end portions of the first and second electrodes 110 , 112 are shown in FIG. 6 , and both the first and second electrodes 110 , 112 are shown as being tip-shaped in the illustrated embodiment. Thus, at least the end portions of the first and second electrodes 110 , 112 each converge to respective terminal ends 120 , 122 in the form a rounded or pointed tip. In FIG. 6 , the first and second electrodes 110 , 112 are shown as being rod-shaped before each converges.
- the first and second electrodes 110 , 112 may each have a diameter (or thickness, if not rod-shaped) between about 4 and about 12 times the diameter of the optical fiber 40 (e.g., between about 0.5 mm and about 1.5 mm for a 125 ⁇ m-diameter optical fiber) before converging.
- the first electrode 110 and/or second electrode 112 may only partially converge.
- the language “at least partially converge” refers to an electrode narrowing in some manner before terminating.
- the narrowing may be a reduction in cross-sectional area that occurs gradually and/or in a step-like manner at one or more locations along a length of the electrode.
- FIG. 6 illustrates the end portions of the first and second electrodes 110 , 112 being tip-shaped, in alternative embodiments where an electrode at least partially converges, the corresponding terminal end may be a flat or spherical surface as long as the electrode has a reduction in cross-sectional area at one or more locations along its length.
- An electrode may even be hollow and converge to an opening defined by its terminal end in some embodiments, examples of which are described further below.
- the first electrode 110 extends obliquely toward the longitudinal axis A 1 .
- the language “obliquely toward” refers to being slanted, inclined, or otherwise non-perpendicular and non-parallel to the longitudinal axis A 1 .
- FIG. 6 illustrates the first electrode extending along a first electrode axis A E1 . Although the first electrode axis A E1 intersects the longitudinal axis A 1 , the first electrode 110 terminates at a first location spaced from the longitudinal axis A 1 by a distance D 1 measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A 1 .
- the distance D 1 may be slightly larger than one half the diameter of the optical fiber 40 , such as about 1-2 times larger.
- D 1 may be between about 62.5 and about 125 ⁇ m for a 125 ⁇ m-diameter optical fiber.
- An angle ⁇ 1 is formed between the longitudinal axis A 1 and first electrode axis A E1 and, for embodiments like FIG. 6 where the first electrode 110 extends obliquely toward the longitudinal axis A 1 , is something other than 0, 90, 180, or 360 degrees.
- Other embodiments where the first electrode axis A E1 is parallel or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A 1 are also possible.
- the second electrode 112 is shown as being tip-shaped and has at least an end portion extending obliquely toward the longitudinal axis A 1 .
- FIG. 6 illustrates the end portion of the second electrode 112 extending along a second electrode axis A E2 that intersects the longitudinal axis A 1 at an angle ⁇ 2 .
- the second electrode 112 approaches the first electrode 110 , the second electrode 112 terminates at a second location that is spaced from: a) the longitudinal axis A 1 by a distance D 2 measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A 1 , and b) the first location in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis A 1 .
- the distance D 1 may be less than the distance D 2 , as shown, or vice-versa.
- the second electrode 112 may extend along and/or terminate at the longitudinal axis A 1 (i.e., the distance D 2 may be zero) such that the second location is spaced from the first location in a direction along the longitudinal axis A 1 .
- the distance between the first and second locations in the direction parallel to or along the longitudinal axis A 1 defines an electrode gap, E.
- the electrode gap E may be between about 4 and about 40 times the diameter of the optical fiber 40 (e.g., between about 0.5 mm and 5 mm for a 125 ⁇ m-diameter optical fiber).
- the end 104 of the optical fiber 40 is positioned closer to the first electrode 110 than to the second electrode 112 , even though the optical fiber 40 may extend to or beyond a transverse plane (i.e., perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A 1 ) including the terminal end 120 of the first electrode 110 .
- FIG. 6 illustrates the end 104 of the optical fiber 40 being spaced from the terminal end 120 of the first electrode 110 by a distance D 3 measured parallel to the longitudinal axis A 1 .
- the distance D 3 may be less than half the electrode gap E. In some embodiments, the distance D 3 may even be less than one-fourth of the electrode gap E.
- the power source 114 may be activated to generate an electric arc between the first electrode 110 and second electrode 112 . More specifically, the power source 114 provides a voltage that results in current flow through the electrode gap E. The current ionizes the air between the first electrode 110 and second electrode 120 to form a plasma field 130 . The electric arc is a visible discharge of the current in the plasma field 130 . Reference number 130 will be used in the remainder of the description to refer to both the electric arc and plasma field for convenience.
- the power source 114 may be provided as part of the electric arc apparatus 100 , as may be the case when the power source 114 is a rechargeable battery. In other embodiments, the power source 114 may be provided separately such that an individual couples the electric arc apparatus 100 to the power source 114 prior to use.
- the arrangement of the first and second electrodes 110 , 112 results in the plasma field 130 being shaped to selectively heat the front surface 106 of the optical fiber 40 .
- Nearby portions of the optical fiber 40 may be positioned largely or entirely outside of the plasma field 130 . The heating of these portions is limited so that they retain or substantially retain their shape, as shown in FIG. 8 .
- the front surface 106 has been modified to have a slightly rounded profile with a height variance (measured parallel to the longitudinal axis A 1 ) less than 500 nm, or even less than 200 nm, consistent with a polishing operation.
- FIGS. 9 and 10 schematically illustrate a conventional arrangement of first and second electrodes 140 , 142 processing the optical fiber 40 .
- the first and second electrodes 140 , 142 each include at least an end portion extending along a common electrode axis A E that is arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A 1 .
- both the end 104 and nearby portions of the optical fiber 40 extend into a plasma field 144 formed between the first and second electrodes 140 , 142 .
- the large amount of heat applied to these portions may result in the optical fiber 40 bulging or otherwise changing shape.
- the electric arc apparatus 100 ( FIGS. 6 and 7 ) can still provide this functionality.
- the end 104 of the optical fiber 40 may be extended past the terminal end 120 of the first electrode 110 and inserted further into the plasma field 130 (e.g., the distance D 3 in FIG. 6 may be greater, perhaps even more than half the electrode gap E).
- FIG. 11 illustrates an electric arc apparatus 148 as an example of such an embodiment.
- At least the end portion of the first electrode 110 in FIG. 11 partially or completely encircles the longitudinal axis A 1 , thereby making the first electrode 110 at least partially hollow.
- An opening 150 defined by the first electrode 110 accommodates the optical fiber 40 extending along the longitudinal axis A 1 .
- the opening 150 has a diameter or minimum width (if non-circular) D 0 that may only be slightly larger than the diameter of the optical fiber 40 , such as about 1 - 2 times larger.
- D 0 may be between about 125 ⁇ m and about 250 ⁇ m for a 125 ⁇ m-diameter optical fiber 40 .
- the second electrode 112 may still terminate at a location closer to the longitudinal axis A 1 than the first electrode 110 , similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 . Specifically, for the embodiment shown in FIG. 11 , the second electrode 112 may terminate at a location closer to the longitudinal axis A 1 than a periphery of the opening 150 such that the distance D 3 is less than the diameter D 0 .
- the opening 150 is defined by a plurality of first electrodes 110 rather than a single first electrode.
- the end portions of the first electrodes 110 are circumferentially distributed about the longitudinal axis A 1 so that their terminal ends 120 define the opening 150 through which the longitudinal axis A 1 extends.
- the opening 150 may not have a continuous periphery. Indeed, there may be as few as two first electrodes 110 defining the opening 150 in alternative embodiments.
- the end portions shown in FIG. 12 may alternatively be segments of a single first electrode 110 .
- the end portions shown in FIG. 12 may extend from a common body (not shown) of the first electrode 110 .
- the opening 150 may be defined by a plurality of terminal ends 120 .
- the second electrode 112 is only shown as a single electrode in FIGS. 6, 7, 11 , and 12 , embodiments will be appreciated involving a plurality of second electrodes 112 or a single second electrode 112 with a plurality of end portions, similar to the first electrode 110 in FIG. 12 .
- Methods of processing the optical fiber 40 involve extending the optical fiber 40 along the longitudinal axis A 1 .
- the first electrode(s) 110 of the electric arc apparatus 100 each at least partially converge before terminating and may even define an opening 150 through which the longitudinal axis A 1 extends.
- the second electrode(s) 112 each at least partially converge before terminating as well.
- the end 104 of the optical fiber 40 is positioned between the first and second electrodes 110 , 112 , and specifically between respective first and second locations where the first and second electrodes 110 , 112 terminate.
- the second location is spaced from the first location in a direction along or parallel to the longitudinal axis A 1 .
- a voltage may be provided to either the first electrode(s) 110 or second electrode(s) 112 to generate the plasma field 130 between the first and second electrode(s) 110 , 112 that modifies the end 104 of the optical fiber 40 .
- FIG. 13 illustrates an embodiment of an electric arc apparatus 200 where the first electrode 110 includes a body 202 having a different shape than an end portion 204 of the first electrode 110 .
- the body 202 defines a space 206 that accommodates the optical fiber 40 extending along the longitudinal axis A 1 .
- the body 202 itself may extend in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis A 1 and may have a center aligned with the longitudinal axis A 1 .
- the electric arc apparatus 200 (or at least part of the electric arc apparatus 200 ) may be considered to be co-axial with the optical fiber 40 .
- the end portion 204 of the first electrode 110 still converges toward the opening 150 defined by the terminal end 120 , and the opening 150 is still sized to allow the optical fiber 40 to pass therethrough.
- the second electrode 112 in FIG. 13 includes a wide portion 210 and converging portion 212 .
- the converging portion 212 provides a gradual transition from the wide portion 210 to the terminal end 122 . Stated differently, the converging portion 212 extends both in a direction along the longitudinal axis A 1 and toward the longitudinal axis A 1 before defining the terminal end 122 , which in the embodiment shown in a slightly concave surface having a reduced width/cross-sectional area compared to the wide portion 210 .
- the presence of at least some convergence in the first electrode 110 and second electrode 112 , and the relatively small electrode gap E helps keep the plasma field 130 relatively small and focused so that its shape is easy to control/predict.
- the plasma field 130 Only a small plasma field is necessary due to the plasma field 130 intersecting the longitudinal axis A 1 such that the front surface 106 of the optical fiber 40 can be directly exposed to the plasma field 130 .
- the ability to more accurately control/predict the plasma field 130 allows for processing in a more repeatable manner. Additionally, the small nature of the plasma field 130 means that the voltage required to generate the plasma field 130 can be kept relatively small.
- FIG. 14 illustrates an electric arc apparatus 300 similar to the electric arc apparatus 20 of FIG. 13 , but with the second electrode 112 having a different shape.
- the second electrode 112 still includes a wide portion 310 , but the wide portion 310 has a single, step-like transition to a narrow portion 312 that includes the terminal end 122 .
- the second electrode 112 is still considered to at least partially converge.
- the narrow portion 312 extends along the longitudinal axis A 1 and has a relatively small width/thickness. Such an arrangement may be used to make the plasma field 130 more focused, especially near the terminal end 122 .
- FIG. 15 illustrates an electric arc apparatus 400 according to yet another example.
- the first electrode 112 still includes a body 402 and an end portion 404 , but a space 406 defined by the body 402 has at least two sections 406 a , 406 b with different diameters (or widths, for non-cylindrical bodies) measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A 1 .
- a shoulder or stop 408 is defined at a transition between the sections 406 a , 406 b .
- the shoulder 408 may be used to help position the end 104 of the optical fiber 40 relative to the terminal end 120 of the first electrode 110 .
- the primary coating 42 FIGS.
- tight buffer coating 44 may be removed from from a predetermined length of the optical fiber 40 .
- This predetermined length may be based on the distance between the shoulder 408 and terminal end 120 of the first electrode 110 plus the desired distance D 3 (if any; FIG. 11 ) for the end 104 of the optical fiber 40 to extend past the opening 150 .
- the optical fiber 40 may be inserted into the body 402 and moved along the longitudinal axis A 1 until the remaining tight buffer coating 44 abuts the shoulder 408 . At this point the optical fiber 40 is prevented from advancing further within the body 402 and the end 104 is located in the desired position for processing with the electric arc apparatus 400 .
- first electrode 110 is shown as having a different shape than in previous embodiments.
- the second electrode 112 likewise has a different shape. Both, however, still at least partially converge before terminating.
- the different shapes are merely provided to further illustrate how many variants will be appreciated by skilled persons. Indeed, the shapes of the first and second electrodes 110 , 112 may vary depending on the particular embodiment and desired shape of the plasma field 130 .
- FIG. 16 illustrates an electric arc apparatus 500 having a body 502 defining a space 506 sized to receive the ferrule 12 .
- the first electrode 110 is coupled to the body 502 such that the body 502 is not part of the first electrode 110 in this embodiment, although the body 502 could be part of the first electrode 110 if desired.
- FIG. 16 illustrates an electric arc apparatus 500 having a body 502 defining a space 506 sized to receive the ferrule 12 .
- the first electrode 110 is coupled to the body 502 such that the body 502 is not part of the first electrode 110 in this embodiment, although the body 502 could be part of the first electrode 110 if desired.
- the body 502 may be a sleeve with the space 506 having a diameter that is greater than the diameter of the ferrule 12 (e.g., at least 1.25 mm for a 1.25 mm-diameter ferrule, at least 2.5 mm for a 2.5 mm-diameter ferrule, etc.).
- the diameter of the sleeve 506 may also be only slightly larger than the diameter of the ferrule 12 , such as less than 1% larger, to provide a close fit and thereby serve as a support for the ferrule 12 and optical fiber 40 .
- the space 506 may be similar to the space 406 ( FIG. 15 ) by having two more sections with different diameters (or widths) measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A 1 .
- a transition between two of the sections in such embodiments may define a shoulder or stop, like the shoulder 408 , configured to prevent further movement of the ferrule 12 toward the first electrode 110 after the ferrule 12 has been inserted into the body 502 .
- FIG. 17 illustrates how the body 502 may even be configured to accommodate the ferrule 12 when the ferrule 12 is assembled as part of the connector 10 .
- the body is configured to be received in a space between the ferrule 12 and a housing, such as the outer housing 32 , of the connector 10 .
- the connector 10 may be fully assembled before processing the optical fiber 40 with the electric arc apparatus 500 .
- FIG. 18 illustrates how an electric arc apparatus, such as the electric arc apparatus 200 , may be used to process the end of an optical fiber 40 that has not been stripped of the primary coating 42 .
Abstract
Description
- This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/US15/42349 filed on Jul. 28, 2015, which claims the benefit of priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 14/529,670, filed on Oct. 31, 2014, and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/031,233, filed on July 31, 2014, all three applications being incorporated herein by reference.
- This disclosure relates generally to optical fibers, and more particularly to electric arc apparatuses for processing optical fibers, and related systems and methods.
- Optical fibers are useful in a wide variety of applications, including the telecommunications industry for voice, video, and data transmissions. In a telecommunications system that uses optical fibers, there are typically many locations where fiber optic cables that carry the optical fibers connect to equipment or other fiber optic cables. To conveniently provide these connections, fiber optic connectors are often provided on the ends of fiber optic cables. The process of terminating individual optical fibers from a fiber optic cable is referred to as “connectorization.” Connectorization can be done in a factory, resulting in a “pre-connectorized” or “pre-terminated” fiber optic cable, or the field (e.g., using a “field-installable” fiber optic connector).
- Regardless of where installation occurs, a fiber optic connector typically includes a ferrule with one or more bores that receive one or more optical fibers. The ferrule supports and positions the optical fiber(s) with respect to a housing of the fiber optic connector. Thus, when the housing of the fiber optic connector is mated with another connector or an adapter, an optical fiber in the ferrule is positioned in a known, fixed location relative to the housing. This allows an optical connection to be established when the optical fiber is aligned with another optical fiber provided in the mating component (i.e., the other connector or an adapter).
- The ferrule bore in a fiber optic connector may extend from a rear of the ferrule to a front of the ferrule. With such a design, an optical fiber can be passed through the ferrule so as to extend beyond an end face of the ferrule. After securing the optical fiber relative to the ferrule by using a bonding agent or the like, an optical surface (i.e., an end surface/facet intended for optical coupling) may be formed on the optical fiber. The optical surface is typically formed a precise distance from the end face of the ferrule according to very tight dimensional standards to reduce signal attenuation. For example, the final optical surface of the optical fiber may be within 200 nm of the end face of the ferrule.
- One conventional method of forming an optical surface involves a mechanical cleaving step followed by several mechanical polishing steps. Such methods can be time-consuming and labor-intensive due to the number of polishing steps required to precisely control material removal and meet the tight dimensional requirements. For example, it may be necessary to begin with coarse grit when mechanically polishing and gradually switch to finer grits in subsequent polishing steps to carefully control the protrusion of the optical fiber from the end face of the ferrule and to form an optical surface of high quality. Mechanical polishing processes can be time-consuming, labor-intensive, and use a large amount of consumables. Additionally, these processes sometimes suffer from low yields due to human error.
- Various techniques for cleaving and polishing an optical fiber with non-mechanical means, such as with lasers or electric arcs, are also known. Although these techniques may help reduce or eliminate some of the polishing steps associated with mechanical processing, there remains room for improvement.
- Embodiments of an electric arc apparatus for processing an optical fiber are disclosed below. It should be noted that “an optical fiber” refers to “at least one optical fiber,” as the electric arc apparatuses disclosed may be used to process multiple optical fibers.
- According to one embodiment, the electric arc apparatus includes a body defining a space configured to accommodate the optical fiber extending along a longitudinal axis. The electric arc apparatus also includes one or more first electrodes and one or more second electrodes. The one or more first electrodes are coupled to or integrally formed with the body, and each terminates at a first location spaced from the longitudinal axis. The one or more second electrodes each terminates at a second location spaced from the first location in direction along or parallel to the longitudinal axis. The one or more first electrodes or one or more second electrodes are configured to receive a voltage that generates an plasma field between the first and second locations, and the first and second locations are positioned so that the plasma field intersects the longitudinal axis when the plasma field is generated. Optionally, the first electrode(s) each at least partially converge before terminating at the first location, and/or the second electrode(s) each at least partially converges before terminating at the second location.
- According to another embodiment, an electric arc apparatus includes one or more first electrodes each having an end portion terminates at an opening defined by the one or more first electrodes. The opening is configured to accommodate the optical fiber extending along a longitudinal axis. The electric arc apparatus also includes one or more second electrodes each having an end portion that terminates at a location spaced from the opening defined by the one or more first electrodes. The one or more first electrodes or one or more second electrodes are configured to receive a voltage that generates a plasma field between the one or more first electrodes and the one or more second electrodes. Additionally, the one or more first electrodes and the one or more second electrodes are shaped to focus the plasma field so that the plasma field extends across the longitudinal axis and modifies the end of the optical fiber. Optionally, this may be achieved by the end portion(s) of the one or more first electrodes each at least partially converging before terminating at the opening, and by the end portion(s) of the one or more second electrodes each at least partially converging before terminating at the location spaced from the opening.
- Methods of processing an optical fiber using an electric arc apparatus are also disclosed. The electric arc apparatus may be one of those mentioned above, for example. One embodiment of such a method involves extending the optical fiber along the longitudinal axis, positioning an end of the optical fiber closer to the one or more first electrodes than to one or more second electrodes, providing a voltage to the one or more first electrodes or the one or more second electrodes to generate a plasma field, wherein the plasma field modifies the end of the optical fiber.
- According to another embodiment, a method of processing an optical fiber with an electric arc apparatus involves extending the optical fiber along a longitudinal axis, wherein one or more first electrodes of the electric arc apparatus each terminates at a first location spaced from the longitudinal axis. An end of the optical fiber is positioned closer to the one or more first electrodes than to one or more second electrodes of the electric arc apparatus. The one or more second electrodes each terminates at a second location that is spaced from the first location in a direction along or parallel to the longitudinal axis. The method also involves providing a voltage to the one or more first electrodes or the one or more second electrodes to generate a plasma field between the first and second locations. The first and second locations are positioned so that the plasma field intersects the longitudinal axis, and the plasma field modifies the end of the optical fiber.
- According to another embodiment, a method of processing an optical fiber involves extending the optical fiber along a longitudinal axis, wherein the longitudinal axis extends through an opening defined by one or more first electrodes of an electric arc apparatus. The one or more first electrodes each have an end portion that terminates at the opening The method also involves positioning an end of the optical fiber closer to the one or more first electrodes than to one or more second electrodes of the electric arc apparatus. The one or more second electrodes each have an end portion that terminates at a location spaced from the opening defined by the one more first electrodes. A voltage is provided to the one or more first electrodes or the one or more second electrodes to generate a plasma field between the one or more first electrodes and the one or more second electrodes. The plasma field is focused by the one or more first electrodes and the one or more second electrodes so that the plasma field extends across the longitudinal axis and modifies the end of the optical fiber.
- Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and in part will be readily apparent to those skilled in the technical field of optical communications. It is to be understood that the foregoing general description, the following detailed description, and the accompanying drawings are merely exemplary and intended to provide an overview or framework to understand the nature and character of the claims.
- The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate one or more embodiment(s), and together with the description serve to explain principles and operation of the various embodiments. Features and attributes associated with any of the embodiments shown or described may be applied to other embodiments shown, described, or appreciated based on this disclosure.
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FIG. 1 a perspective view of an example of a fiber optic connector; -
FIG. 2 is an exploded side view the fiber optic connector ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a portion of a fiber optic cable that includes an optical fiber, a primary coating applied to the optical fiber, and a tight buffer coating applied to the primary coating, with some of the tight buffer coating having been removed from an end section of the optical fiber and primary coating; -
FIG. 4 is a schematic view similar toFIG. 3 , but with the primary coating removed from the end section of the optical fiber; -
FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the fiber optic cable ofFIG. 4 prior to inserting the end section of the optical fiber into a bore of a ferrule; -
FIG. 6 is a schematic view of one embodiment of an electric arc apparatus that may be used to process an optical fiber; -
FIG. 7 is a schematic view similar toFIG. 6 , but illustrating the electric arc apparatus generating a plasma field to modify an end of the optical fiber; -
FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the optical fiber ofFIGS. 6 and 7 after having been processed with the electric arc apparatus; -
FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a conventional electric arc apparatus being used to process an end of an optical fiber; -
FIG. 10 is a schematic view of the optical fiber ofFIG. 9 after having been processed with the conventional electric arc apparatus; -
FIG. 11 is a schematic view of an embodiment of an electric arc apparatus that has a first electrode defining an opening configured to accommodate an optical fiber; -
FIG. 12 is a schematic view of a portion of an electric arc apparatus according to another embodiment, wherein the electric arc apparatus has a plurality of first electrodes (or a single first electrode with a plurality of end segments) defining an opening configured to accommodate an optical fiber; -
FIG. 13 is a schematic view of an electric arc apparatus according to yet another embodiment being used to process an end of an optical fiber; -
FIG. 14 is a schematic view of an electric arc apparatus according to yet another embodiment being used to process an end of an optical fiber; -
FIG. 15 is a schematic view of an electric arc apparatus according to yet another embodiment being used to process an end of an optical fiber; -
FIG. 16 is a schematic view of an electric arc apparatus having a body configured to receive a ferrule that has an optical fiber extending therethrough; -
FIG. 17 is a schematic view of a portion of the electric arc apparatus ofFIG. 16 being received in a space between a ferrule and housing of a fiber optic connector; and -
FIG. 18 is a schematic view of an electric arc apparatus being used to process an optical fiber that still includes a primary coating. - Various embodiments will be further clarified by examples in the description below. In general, the description relates to devices and methods processing an optical fiber. The processing may be part of terminating one or more optical fibers with a fiber optic connector, either in the field or in a factory, and forming a fiber optic cable assembly. One example of a fiber optic connector (“connector”) 10 is shown in
FIG. 1 . Although theconnector 10 is shown in the form of a SC-type connector, the devices and methods described below may be applicable to different connector designs. This includes ST, LC, FC, MU, MT, and MTP-type connectors, for example, and other single-fiber or multi-fiber connector designs. Again, the description below relates to processing an optical fiber that is to be used in a fiber optic connector rather than a fiber optic connector itself. A general overview of theconnector 10 will be provided simply to facilitate discussion, as one or more components of theconnector 10 may be referred to when subsequently describing the devices and methods for processing an optical fiber. - As shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2 , theconnector 10 includes aferrule 12 having afront end 14 andrear end 16, aferrule holder 18 having opposed first andsecond end portions rear end 14 of theferrule 12 is received in thefirst end portion 20 of theferrule holder 18, while thefront end 14 remains outside theferrule holder 18. Thesecond end portion 22 of theferrule holder 18 is received in thehousing 24. Aspring 26 may be disposed around thesecond end portion 22 and configured to interact with walls of thehousing 24 to bias the ferrule holder 18 (and ferrule 12). Additionally, a lead-intube 28 may extend from a rear end of thehousing 24 to within thesecond end portion 22 of theferrule holder 18 to help guide the insertion of an optical fiber (not shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 ) into theferrule 12. An outer shroud 32 (also referred to as an “outer housing”) is positioned over the assembledferrule 12,ferrule holder 18, andhousing 24, with the overall configuration being such that thefront end 16 of theferrule 12 presents anend face 34 configured to contact a mating component (e.g., another fiber optic connector; not shown). -
FIG. 3 schematically illustrates an example of afiber optic cable 38 including anoptical fiber 40 upon which theconnector 10 may be installed. Theoptical fiber 40 guides light through a principle known as “total internal reflection,” where light waves are contained within a core by a cladding that has a different index of refraction than the core. The core and cladding are not labeled inFIG. 3 , but together define theoptical fiber 40 and may comprise glass (e.g., germanium-doped silica). One or more coating layers surround theoptical fiber 40 to protect theoptical fiber 40 from the environment and mechanical loads. In the embodiment shown, aprimary coating 42 surrounds theoptical fiber 40, and atight buffer coating 44 surrounds theprimary coating 42. Theprimary coating 42 may be an acrylic polymer or the like and simply be referred to as “the coating”. Thetight buffer coating 44 may comprise polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyurethane, polyolefin, or the like, and be referred to as a “tight buffer.” Theoptical fiber 40,primary coating 42, andtight buffer coating 44 represent part of thefiber optic cable 38, which may or may not include other optical fibers. - Typically the
primary coating 42 andtight buffer coating 44 are removed from a section of theoptical fiber 40 before installing a connector, such as theconnector 10. InFIG. 3 , thetight buffer coating 44 has been removed (i.e., “stripped”) from theprimary coating 42 over anend section 48 of theoptical fiber 40. InFIG. 4 , theprimary coating 42 has been removed from theend section 48 of theoptical fiber 40 to expose theoptical fiber 40. The optical fiber is then ready to be inserted into abore 50 of theferrule 12, as shown inFIG. 5 . The devices and methods described below may be used to process the optical fiber before or after such insertion. For example, the processing may relate to polishing the optical fiber 40 (i.e., forming an optical surface of a desired quality for optical coupling on an end of the optical fiber 40). Theoptical fiber 40 may be inserted through thebore 50 and, in some embodiments, even secured to theferrule 12 using a bonding agent (also referred to as an “adhesive composition”; not shown) before such processing takes place. Alternatively, such processing may take place prior to inserting and/or securing theoptical fiber 40 in theferrule 12. - With this in mind, various examples of devices and methods for processing the optical fiber will now be described. The processing is achieved with an electric arc apparatus having one or more first electrodes and one or more second electrodes. For example,
FIG. 6 schematically illustrates one embodiment of anelectric arc apparatus 100 that accommodates theoptical fiber 40 extending along a longitudinal axis A1. Theoptical fiber 40 is positioned by a support orbody 102. A generic element supporting theoptical fiber 40 is shown inFIG. 6 as thesupport 102, but as will be apparent from the description of other embodiments below, theelectric arc apparatus 100 may alternatively or additionally include a body that is coupled to or part of an electrode and that defines a space through which theoptical fiber 40 extends. The body in such embodiments may even serve as thesupport 102, positioning theoptical fiber 40 along the longitudinal axis A1. Again, embodiments will be described below to further illustrate these aspects. - The
optical fiber 40 has anend 104 and a front facet/surface 106 with a profile characterized by roughness, cracks, scratches, undesirable geometry, or other physical attributes that would likely result in excessive attenuation if thefront surface 106 was part of an optical coupling with another optical fiber or a device. The processing described below modifies theend 104 of theoptical fiber 40 so that thefront surface 106 has a smoother profile with a desired curvature and/or angle relative to the longitudinal axis A1. For example, the processing may be used to make what is known in the optical communications industry as a physical contact (PC), superior physical contact (SPC), ultra physical contact (UPC), or angled physical contact (APC) polish. It should also be noted thatFIG. 6 is not drawn to scale and that the initial profile of thefront surface 106 may be closer to the desired profile. For example, a high precision cleaver (not shown) may be used prior to processing with theelectric arc apparatus 100. Alternatively, low-precision cleaving may be performed with low-cost tools (e.g., scissors), or even without tools (e.g., looping theoptical fiber 40 until theoptical fiber 40 breaks), and optionally be followed by one or more preliminary polishing steps using polishing pads or other conventional devices prior to final processing with theelectric arc apparatus 100. - The
electric arc apparatus 100 includes afirst electrode 110 andsecond electrode 112. The terms “first” and “second” in this context simply refer to the electrodes having different polarities at a given time. For example, thefirst electrode 110 may be electrically coupled to a positive terminal of apower source 114, such as a battery, and thesecond electrode 112 may be electrically coupled to a negative terminal of thepower source 114 or to ground. Alternatively, thesecond electrode 112 may be electrically coupled to the positive terminal of thepower source 114 while thefirst electrode 110 may be electrically coupled to the negative terminal or to ground. Thepower source 114 may supply direct current such that the first andsecond electrodes second electrodes power source 114 may be a wall outlet, for example. Thus, references to positive and negative in the drawings and description below are merely for illustrative, non-limiting purposes. Thepower source 114 itself will not be illustrated in subsequent figures for convenience. - Only end portions of the first and
second electrodes FIG. 6 , and both the first andsecond electrodes second electrodes FIG. 6 , the first andsecond electrodes second electrodes - In other embodiments, the
first electrode 110 and/orsecond electrode 112 may only partially converge. As used herein, the language “at least partially converge” refers to an electrode narrowing in some manner before terminating. The narrowing may be a reduction in cross-sectional area that occurs gradually and/or in a step-like manner at one or more locations along a length of the electrode. Thus, althoughFIG. 6 illustrates the end portions of the first andsecond electrodes - In the embodiment shown in
FIG. 6 , thefirst electrode 110 extends obliquely toward the longitudinal axis A1. As used herein, the language “obliquely toward” refers to being slanted, inclined, or otherwise non-perpendicular and non-parallel to the longitudinal axis A1.FIG. 6 illustrates the first electrode extending along a first electrode axis AE1. Although the first electrode axis AE1 intersects the longitudinal axis A1, thefirst electrode 110 terminates at a first location spaced from the longitudinal axis A1 by a distance D1 measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A1. The distance D1 may be slightly larger than one half the diameter of theoptical fiber 40, such as about 1-2 times larger. For example, D1 may be between about 62.5 and about 125 μm for a 125 μm-diameter optical fiber. An angle α1 is formed between the longitudinal axis A1 and first electrode axis AE1 and, for embodiments likeFIG. 6 where thefirst electrode 110 extends obliquely toward the longitudinal axis A1, is something other than 0, 90, 180, or 360 degrees. Other embodiments where the first electrode axis AE1 is parallel or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A1 are also possible. - Like the
first electrode 110, thesecond electrode 112 is shown as being tip-shaped and has at least an end portion extending obliquely toward the longitudinal axis A1.FIG. 6 illustrates the end portion of thesecond electrode 112 extending along a second electrode axis AE2 that intersects the longitudinal axis A1 at an angle α2. Although thesecond electrode 112 approaches thefirst electrode 110, thesecond electrode 112 terminates at a second location that is spaced from: a) the longitudinal axis A1 by a distance D2 measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A1, and b) the first location in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis A1. The distance D1 may be less than the distance D2, as shown, or vice-versa. Additionally, in alternative embodiments, thesecond electrode 112 may extend along and/or terminate at the longitudinal axis A1 (i.e., the distance D2 may be zero) such that the second location is spaced from the first location in a direction along the longitudinal axis A1. Regardless, the distance between the first and second locations in the direction parallel to or along the longitudinal axis A1 defines an electrode gap, E. In some embodiments, the electrode gap E may be between about 4 and about 40 times the diameter of the optical fiber 40 (e.g., between about 0.5 mm and 5 mm for a 125 μm-diameter optical fiber). - The
end 104 of theoptical fiber 40 is positioned closer to thefirst electrode 110 than to thesecond electrode 112, even though theoptical fiber 40 may extend to or beyond a transverse plane (i.e., perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A1) including theterminal end 120 of thefirst electrode 110.FIG. 6 illustrates theend 104 of theoptical fiber 40 being spaced from theterminal end 120 of thefirst electrode 110 by a distance D3 measured parallel to the longitudinal axis A1. As can be appreciated from the above statements, the distance D3 may be less than half the electrode gap E. In some embodiments, the distance D3 may even be less than one-fourth of the electrode gap E. - As schematically shown in
FIGS. 6 and 7 , thepower source 114 may be activated to generate an electric arc between thefirst electrode 110 andsecond electrode 112. More specifically, thepower source 114 provides a voltage that results in current flow through the electrode gap E. The current ionizes the air between thefirst electrode 110 andsecond electrode 120 to form aplasma field 130. The electric arc is a visible discharge of the current in theplasma field 130.Reference number 130 will be used in the remainder of the description to refer to both the electric arc and plasma field for convenience. In some embodiments, thepower source 114 may be provided as part of theelectric arc apparatus 100, as may be the case when thepower source 114 is a rechargeable battery. In other embodiments, thepower source 114 may be provided separately such that an individual couples theelectric arc apparatus 100 to thepower source 114 prior to use. - As can be seen in
FIG. 7 , the arrangement of the first andsecond electrodes plasma field 130 being shaped to selectively heat thefront surface 106 of theoptical fiber 40. Nearby portions of theoptical fiber 40, including nearby portions of an outer cylindrical surface 132, may be positioned largely or entirely outside of theplasma field 130. The heating of these portions is limited so that they retain or substantially retain their shape, as shown inFIG. 8 . There is little or no “bulging” of theoptical fiber 40 proximate theend 104; only thefront surface 106 has been modified to have a different geometry. In this embodiment, thefront surface 106 has been modified to have a slightly rounded profile with a height variance (measured parallel to the longitudinal axis A1) less than 500 nm, or even less than 200 nm, consistent with a polishing operation. - The advantages of the
electric arc apparatus 100 can be further appreciated by making a comparison toFIGS. 9 and 10 , which schematically illustrate a conventional arrangement of first andsecond electrodes optical fiber 40. The first andsecond electrodes optical fiber 40 is extended to or beyond a transverse plane including the common electrode axis AE, both theend 104 and nearby portions of theoptical fiber 40 extend into aplasma field 144 formed between the first andsecond electrodes optical fiber 40 bulging or otherwise changing shape. This can be especially problematic if theoptical fiber 40 has not yet been inserted into a ferrule whose bore is not sized to accommodate the bulging. Nevertheless, if such bulging is desired, which may be the case if theoptical fiber 40 has already been inserted through a bore of a ferrule, the electric arc apparatus 100 (FIGS. 6 and 7 ) can still provide this functionality. In such embodiments, theend 104 of theoptical fiber 40 may be extended past theterminal end 120 of thefirst electrode 110 and inserted further into the plasma field 130 (e.g., the distance D3 inFIG. 6 may be greater, perhaps even more than half the electrode gap E). - It was mentioned above how the the language “at least partially converge” refers to an electrode narrowing in some manner before terminating, and that in some embodiments an electrode may converge to an opening defined at its terminal end.
FIG. 11 illustrates anelectric arc apparatus 148 as an example of such an embodiment. At least the end portion of thefirst electrode 110 inFIG. 11 partially or completely encircles the longitudinal axis A1, thereby making thefirst electrode 110 at least partially hollow. Anopening 150 defined by thefirst electrode 110 accommodates theoptical fiber 40 extending along the longitudinal axis A1. Theopening 150 has a diameter or minimum width (if non-circular) D0 that may only be slightly larger than the diameter of theoptical fiber 40, such as about 1-2 times larger. For example, D0 may be between about 125 μm and about 250 μm for a 125 μm-diameteroptical fiber 40. Thesecond electrode 112 may still terminate at a location closer to the longitudinal axis A1 than thefirst electrode 110, similar to the embodiment shown inFIG. 6 . Specifically, for the embodiment shown inFIG. 11 , thesecond electrode 112 may terminate at a location closer to the longitudinal axis A1 than a periphery of theopening 150 such that the distance D3 is less than the diameter D0. - As shown in
FIG. 12 , embodiments are also possible where theopening 150 is defined by a plurality offirst electrodes 110 rather than a single first electrode. The end portions of thefirst electrodes 110 are circumferentially distributed about the longitudinal axis A1 so that their terminal ends 120 define theopening 150 through which the longitudinal axis A1 extends. Thus, theopening 150 may not have a continuous periphery. Indeed, there may be as few as twofirst electrodes 110 defining theopening 150 in alternative embodiments. - The end portions shown in
FIG. 12 may alternatively be segments of a singlefirst electrode 110. For example, the end portions shown inFIG. 12 may extend from a common body (not shown) of thefirst electrode 110. Thus, even in embodiments where there is only a single first electrode, theopening 150 may be defined by a plurality of terminal ends 120. - Although the
second electrode 112 is only shown as a single electrode inFIGS. 6, 7, 11 , and 12, embodiments will be appreciated involving a plurality ofsecond electrodes 112 or a singlesecond electrode 112 with a plurality of end portions, similar to thefirst electrode 110 inFIG. 12 . - The principles mentioned-above with reference to
FIGS. 6-8, 11, and 12 can be summarized as follows. Methods of processing theoptical fiber 40 according to this disclosure involve extending theoptical fiber 40 along the longitudinal axis A1. The first electrode(s) 110 of theelectric arc apparatus 100 each at least partially converge before terminating and may even define anopening 150 through which the longitudinal axis A1 extends. The second electrode(s) 112 each at least partially converge before terminating as well. Theend 104 of theoptical fiber 40 is positioned between the first andsecond electrodes second electrodes optical fiber 40, first electrode(s) 110, and second electrode(s) 112 positioned in this manner, a voltage may be provided to either the first electrode(s) 110 or second electrode(s) 112 to generate theplasma field 130 between the first and second electrode(s) 110, 112 that modifies theend 104 of theoptical fiber 40. - Additional examples that further illustrate the above-mentioned principles or variations thereof will now be described. The same reference numbers will be used to refer to elements corresponding to those already described in connection with
FIGS. 6, 7, 11, and 12 . Only the differences are mentioned to appreciate the modifications and variations. - To this end,
FIG. 13 illustrates an embodiment of anelectric arc apparatus 200 where thefirst electrode 110 includes abody 202 having a different shape than anend portion 204 of thefirst electrode 110. Thebody 202 defines aspace 206 that accommodates theoptical fiber 40 extending along the longitudinal axis A1. As shown, thebody 202 itself may extend in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis A1 and may have a center aligned with the longitudinal axis A1. In this respect, the electric arc apparatus 200 (or at least part of the electric arc apparatus 200) may be considered to be co-axial with theoptical fiber 40. Theend portion 204 of thefirst electrode 110 still converges toward theopening 150 defined by theterminal end 120, and theopening 150 is still sized to allow theoptical fiber 40 to pass therethrough. - The
second electrode 112 inFIG. 13 includes awide portion 210 and convergingportion 212. The convergingportion 212 provides a gradual transition from thewide portion 210 to theterminal end 122. Stated differently, the convergingportion 212 extends both in a direction along the longitudinal axis A1 and toward the longitudinal axis A1 before defining theterminal end 122, which in the embodiment shown in a slightly concave surface having a reduced width/cross-sectional area compared to thewide portion 210. The presence of at least some convergence in thefirst electrode 110 andsecond electrode 112, and the relatively small electrode gap E, helps keep theplasma field 130 relatively small and focused so that its shape is easy to control/predict. Only a small plasma field is necessary due to theplasma field 130 intersecting the longitudinal axis A1 such that thefront surface 106 of theoptical fiber 40 can be directly exposed to theplasma field 130. The ability to more accurately control/predict theplasma field 130 allows for processing in a more repeatable manner. Additionally, the small nature of theplasma field 130 means that the voltage required to generate theplasma field 130 can be kept relatively small. -
FIG. 14 illustrates anelectric arc apparatus 300 similar to theelectric arc apparatus 20 ofFIG. 13 , but with thesecond electrode 112 having a different shape. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 14 , thesecond electrode 112 still includes awide portion 310, but thewide portion 310 has a single, step-like transition to anarrow portion 312 that includes theterminal end 122. Thus, thesecond electrode 112 is still considered to at least partially converge. In the particular embodiment shown, thenarrow portion 312 extends along the longitudinal axis A1 and has a relatively small width/thickness. Such an arrangement may be used to make theplasma field 130 more focused, especially near theterminal end 122. -
FIG. 15 illustrates anelectric arc apparatus 400 according to yet another example. In this embodiment, thefirst electrode 112 still includes abody 402 and anend portion 404, but aspace 406 defined by thebody 402 has at least twosections sections shoulder 408 may be used to help position theend 104 of theoptical fiber 40 relative to theterminal end 120 of thefirst electrode 110. For example, the primary coating 42 (FIGS. 3 and 4 ) andtight buffer coating 44 may be removed from from a predetermined length of theoptical fiber 40. This predetermined length may be based on the distance between theshoulder 408 andterminal end 120 of thefirst electrode 110 plus the desired distance D3 (if any;FIG. 11 ) for theend 104 of theoptical fiber 40 to extend past theopening 150. In this regard, theoptical fiber 40 may be inserted into thebody 402 and moved along the longitudinal axis A1 until the remainingtight buffer coating 44 abuts theshoulder 408. At this point theoptical fiber 40 is prevented from advancing further within thebody 402 and theend 104 is located in the desired position for processing with theelectric arc apparatus 400. - Note that the
end portion 404 of thefirst electrode 110 is shown as having a different shape than in previous embodiments. Thesecond electrode 112 likewise has a different shape. Both, however, still at least partially converge before terminating. The different shapes are merely provided to further illustrate how many variants will be appreciated by skilled persons. Indeed, the shapes of the first andsecond electrodes plasma field 130. - One of the possibilities mentioned above in connection with
FIG. 5 was that theoptical fiber 40 may be first inserted through thebore 50 of theferrule 12 prior to being processed with an electric arc apparatus. In some embodiments, the electric arc apparatus may even be configured to accommodate a ferrule. For example,FIG. 16 illustrates anelectric arc apparatus 500 having abody 502 defining aspace 506 sized to receive theferrule 12. Thefirst electrode 110 is coupled to thebody 502 such that thebody 502 is not part of thefirst electrode 110 in this embodiment, although thebody 502 could be part of thefirst electrode 110 if desired. As shown inFIG. 16 , thebody 502 may be a sleeve with thespace 506 having a diameter that is greater than the diameter of the ferrule 12 (e.g., at least 1.25 mm for a 1.25 mm-diameter ferrule, at least 2.5 mm for a 2.5 mm-diameter ferrule, etc.). The diameter of thesleeve 506 may also be only slightly larger than the diameter of theferrule 12, such as less than 1% larger, to provide a close fit and thereby serve as a support for theferrule 12 andoptical fiber 40. - Although not shown in
FIG. 16 , thespace 506 may be similar to the space 406 (FIG. 15 ) by having two more sections with different diameters (or widths) measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A1. A transition between two of the sections in such embodiments may define a shoulder or stop, like theshoulder 408, configured to prevent further movement of theferrule 12 toward thefirst electrode 110 after theferrule 12 has been inserted into thebody 502. -
FIG. 17 illustrates how thebody 502 may even be configured to accommodate theferrule 12 when theferrule 12 is assembled as part of theconnector 10. In particular, the body is configured to be received in a space between theferrule 12 and a housing, such as theouter housing 32, of theconnector 10. Thus, theconnector 10 may be fully assembled before processing theoptical fiber 40 with theelectric arc apparatus 500. - Persons skilled in optical connectivity will appreciate additional variations and modifications of the apparatuses and methods already described. Again, the
electric arc apparatuses electric arc apparatuses electric arc apparatuses FIG. 18 illustrates how an electric arc apparatus, such as theelectric arc apparatus 200, may be used to process the end of anoptical fiber 40 that has not been stripped of theprimary coating 42. Accordingly, where a method claim below does not explicitly recite a step mentioned in the description above, it should not be assumed that the step is required by the claim. Additionally, where a method claim below does not actually recite an order to be followed by its steps or an order is otherwise not required based on the claim language, it is no way intended that any particular order be inferred.
Claims (20)
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
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US201462031233P | 2014-07-31 | 2014-07-31 | |
US14/529,670 US9266771B1 (en) | 2014-07-31 | 2014-10-31 | Electric arc apparatus for processing an optical fiber, and related systems and methods |
PCT/US2015/042349 WO2016018848A1 (en) | 2014-07-31 | 2015-07-28 | Electric arc apparatus for processing an optical fiber, and related systems and methods |
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PCT/US2015/042349 Continuation WO2016018848A1 (en) | 2014-07-31 | 2015-07-28 | Electric arc apparatus for processing an optical fiber, and related systems and methods |
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US20170121222A1 true US20170121222A1 (en) | 2017-05-04 |
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US14/529,670 Expired - Fee Related US9266771B1 (en) | 2014-07-31 | 2014-10-31 | Electric arc apparatus for processing an optical fiber, and related systems and methods |
US15/404,305 Abandoned US20170121222A1 (en) | 2014-07-31 | 2017-01-12 | Electric arc apparatus for processing an optical fiber, and related systems and methods |
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US14/529,670 Expired - Fee Related US9266771B1 (en) | 2014-07-31 | 2014-10-31 | Electric arc apparatus for processing an optical fiber, and related systems and methods |
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JP7223382B1 (en) | 2022-02-10 | 2023-02-16 | フォトニックサイエンステクノロジ株式会社 | Pitch converter manufacturing equipment |
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EP3506868A1 (en) * | 2016-08-31 | 2019-07-10 | Smith & Nephew PLC | Systems and methods for controlling operation of a reduced pressure therapy system to detect leaks |
US10923331B1 (en) * | 2016-10-22 | 2021-02-16 | Surfx Technologies Llc | Plasma cleaning device and process |
US11079554B1 (en) * | 2020-02-26 | 2021-08-03 | The Boeing Company | Process for polishing end face of gigabit plastic optical fiber |
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JPH10268162A (en) | 1997-03-25 | 1998-10-09 | Oki Electric Ind Co Ltd | Light module |
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FR2794871B1 (en) * | 1999-06-09 | 2002-07-05 | France Telecom | COLLECTIVE PROCESS FOR THE COLLECTIVE REALIZATION OF MICRO-LENSES AT THE END OF AN ASSEMBLY OF OPTICAL FIBERS OF THE FIBER TAPE TYPE |
JP2003270449A (en) | 2002-03-18 | 2003-09-25 | Mitsubishi Electric Corp | Optical fiber coating layer removing apparatus and its operating method |
JP2004061672A (en) | 2002-07-25 | 2004-02-26 | Totoku Electric Co Ltd | Method for working end face of optical fiber, optical fiber and device for working end face of optical fiber |
JP2005241702A (en) | 2004-02-24 | 2005-09-08 | Fujikura Ltd | Method for repairing optical connector end face, method for finishing optical connector end face, and optical connector |
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CA2479863C (en) | 2004-08-31 | 2012-04-17 | Raman Kashyap | Modifying the coating on optical fibres |
US7555188B2 (en) | 2005-08-05 | 2009-06-30 | 3Sae Technologies, Inc. | Method of cleaning and stripping an optical fiber using an electrical arc, and associated apparatus |
US7342198B2 (en) | 2005-08-05 | 2008-03-11 | 3Sae Technologies, Inc. | Method and apparatus for generating an electrical arc |
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2014
- 2014-10-31 US US14/529,670 patent/US9266771B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
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- 2015-07-28 WO PCT/US2015/042349 patent/WO2016018848A1/en active Application Filing
- 2015-07-28 EP EP15757026.8A patent/EP3175271A1/en not_active Withdrawn
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2017
- 2017-01-12 US US15/404,305 patent/US20170121222A1/en not_active Abandoned
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JP7223382B1 (en) | 2022-02-10 | 2023-02-16 | フォトニックサイエンステクノロジ株式会社 | Pitch converter manufacturing equipment |
JP2023117108A (en) * | 2022-02-10 | 2023-08-23 | フォトニックサイエンステクノロジ株式会社 | Pitch converter manufacturing device |
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WO2016018848A1 (en) | 2016-02-04 |
US20160031749A1 (en) | 2016-02-04 |
EP3175271A1 (en) | 2017-06-07 |
US9266771B1 (en) | 2016-02-23 |
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