Re: Connection Loss for Fusion-spliced PM SMF

stan wrote:
On Jun 27, 1:50 pm, "sushe...@xxxxxxxxx" <sushe...@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
There have been a few threads on this subject, but I would like to get
the opinion from this newsgroup on a specific question.

For 1.55 microns, what is the lowest connection loss that I can get by
fusion-splicing two PM single-mode fibers? I have seen results
ranging from 0.02 dB to 0.2 dB, and am not sure what is possible.
This is assuming that I can get state-of-the-art splicing equipment.
If you can also point me to references supporting the loss values, I
would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks,
Susheem

Premium splicers are the only way to go, but losses should be the same
as for standard SMF using them. Fujikura/AFL Ericcson, and Vytran
have PM-capable splice units I'm aware of (listed them in price range
order)



Not totally true since you also have the axis alignment issue. If you are slightly off axis you can potentially launch some percent into the wrong axis.

There are three things involved with producing low loss splices;
1) good cleaving
A good cleaver will produce clean, flat cleaves. If there is the slightest nick in the edge of the fiber this can propagate and result in fiber breakage. It can also cause the fiber to stand off from each other when you go to splice them which causes all sorts of problems.

2) cleanliness
You must make sure both fiber ends are meticulously clean after the cleaving process. Any dirt will cause splice loss or if really bad it will cause a break. I used to use CMOS grade isopropynol and Kimwipes to clean the fiber ends before splicing. Maybe overkill but I always produced low loss splices.

3) a good splicer

I used to be able to produce almost lossless splices using an old fujikura cleaver and splicer when I did "live" splicing on PM. This is where you don't let the machine line up the axis for you but you shot a laser down one end and monitor the output at the other. As you rotate the fiber you monitor the light loss and find the best alignment.

Good luck,
P. Danek
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Connection Loss for Fusion-spliced PM SMF
    ... splice loss and polarization extinction ratio as two ... polarization extinction ratio (with Ericsson, Fujikura, or Vytran PM ... This was with PANDA fiber using an Ericsson FSU 995 PM splicer. ...
    (sci.optics)
  • Re: Tolerable power loss in connector (heat generation)
    ... I am using a fiber pigtailed laser with a panda fiber and connect with ... an FC/APC to another panda fiber. ... guess the loss is because of two different diameters. ... Heat generation is typically a problem for very high power, ...
    (sci.optics.fiber)
  • Re: Tolerable power loss in connector (heat generation)
    ... You need someone who is a great splicer and has access to a high end splicer such as a Vytran. ... They can make a tapered core fuse when splicing the two ends together. ... If you try and splice a 850 fiber to a 1550 fiber you will have problems even if you taper the cores together. ... You will get loss into the cladding. ...
    (sci.optics.fiber)
  • Re: DB loss after Encapsulating a fusion splice
    ... after I encapsulate I loose I have significant loss. ... Check if you fiber is having a waveguiding polymer coating. ... a)why are you incapsulating the splice in an epoxy? ...
    (sci.optics.fiber)
  • Re: Transmitting Solar Power w Fiber Optics
    ... Look at the DB loss of the light in the fiber of interest. ... Why do penguins walk so far to get to their nesting grounds? ...
    (sci.optics)
Quantcast