Laser splicing of end caps: process requirements in high power laser applications

High power fiber laser assemblies require monolithic joining technologies for low loss, mechanically stable and reliable spliced component interconnection. In contrast to conventional heat sources for splicing a carbon dioxide laser heats optical fibers and end caps only by radiation. The advantages of laser heating, e.g. precisely defined areas of laser impact and high process purity, meet the goals for high power applications. Requirements and challenges like tensile strength, centricity and reproducibility while using the splicing technology for a production line will be shown on behalf of a special developed CO2 laser splicing device, splicing experiments and respective results.