Extrinsic fiber damage and its effect on the reliability of optical fiber connectors and splices

The long-term mechanical reliability of optical fiber in connectors and splices will be determined by the magnitude of the stress on the fiber, the operating environment, and the size and geometry of the flaws in the fiber. Examples which demonstrate the generation of fiber damage when using conventional fiber termination tools, techniques and components are given, and the effects of interaction between the extrinsic flaws generated and fiber failure are shown. Problems associated with making realistic, lifetime/reliability predictions are reviewed.

[1]  J. T. Krause.  Zero stress strength reduction and transitions in static fatigue of fused silica fiber lightguides , 1980 .

[2]  John B. Wachtman,et al.  Highlights of Progress in the Science of Fracture of Ceramics and Glass , 1974 .

[3]  Terry A. Michalske,et al.  Steric Effects in Stress Corrosion Fracture of Glass , 1987 .

[4]  T. T. Wang,et al.  Long-term mechanical behaviour of optical fibres coated with a u.v.-curable epoxy acrylate , 1978 .

[5]  J. E. Ritter,et al.  Engineering Design and Fatigue Failure of Brittle Materials , 1978 .

[6]  C. M. Perrott,et al.  Elastic-plastic indentation: Hardness and fracture , 1977 .

[7]  David L. Davidson,et al.  The crack-initiation threshold in ceramic materials subject to elastic/plastic indentation , 1979 .

[8]  A. G. Evans,et al.  ABRASIVE WEAR IN CERAMICS: AN ASSESSMENT , 1979 .

[9]  J. E. Ritter,et al.  Analysis of fatigue data for lifetime predictions for ceramic materials , 1978 .

[10]  Charles R. Kurkjian,et al.  Environmental Effects on the Static Fatigue of Silica Optical Fiber , 1988 .

[11]  David Kalish,et al.  Temperature Dependence of Static Fatigue of Optical Fibers Coated with a Uv‐Curable Polyurethane Acrylate , 1982 .

[12]  Sheldon M. Wiederhorn,et al.  Subcritical Crack Growth in Ceramics , 1974 .

[13]  David Kalish,et al.  Static and Dynamic Fatigue of a Polymer‐Coated Fused Silica Optical Fiber , 1978 .

[14]  S. Wiederhorn,et al.  Mechanisms of Subcritical Crack Growth in Glass , 1978 .

[15]  Sheldon M. Wiederhorn,et al.  Reliability, Life Prediction and Proof Testing of Ceramics , 1974 .