Low Loss Splicing And Connection Of Optical Waveguide Cables

The individual loss mechanisms contributing to the insertion loss of an optical waveguide joint are described and quantified. Losses attributable to the characteristics of individual waveguides as well as losses due to coupling technique are included. The identification and understanding of these loss mechanisms has led to the design of optical waveguide alignment and retention techniques that minimize or avoid these effects. To make a connector useful in field applications of optical cables utilizing these techniques, the hardware must be reliable, stable, low cost, quick, and fully intermateable, as well as providing low insertion loss. Experimental results are given that indicate extrinsic insertion loss as low as 0.3 dB is routinely attainable in each channel of multifiber connections utilizing low-loss optical waveguides.