Fusion and Elongation Method Integrated with Vacuum System to Fabricate Single-Mode Fiber Couplers

Abstract

. The single mode fiber coupler has been successfully fabricated in various power ratio based on fusion and elongation method. Two single mode fibers were joined by heating them under the torch flame injected by H2 Gas with the temperature range of 1200°C - 1500°C. Coupling mode theory was determined to simulate the power characteristics of the fiber coupler which is then combined with the experimental results. The measurement of power output characteristics shows that good agreement between power ratio characteristic of experimental and theoretical simulation was obtained when the elongation process runs with a pulling speed of 180 μm/s. However, good performance of fiber couplers interm of coupling loss with typical of 0.05 dB has been obtained by integrating a vacuum system as the fiber holders inside the slot of pulling stages. Experimental results found that the suitable pressure of vacuum system operating during heating process is 120 mbar.