High power handling shape memory alloy optical fiber connector

Abstract

We present a novel shape memory alloy-based optical fiber splicing device that can provide robust, low loss, and high power handling splices between single-mode fibers of identical or entirely different glass compositions. The achieved splice loss was as low as 0.12 dB between two SMF-28 fibers with an average value of 0.23 dB. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of a purely mechanical splicing device that can withstand optical powers in excess of 10 W with various combinations of silica and fluoride fibers. The device can be used in moderate to high power all-fiber components, especially those involving junctions unsuitable to fusion splicing, such as fiber lasers and amplifiers based on fluoride, chalcogenide, or microstructured fibers.