Optical fiber fusion splicer and method for fusion splicing optical fibers

Abstract

An optical fiber fusion splicer (10) is provided with an image acquisition unit (9), a condition setting unit (14), and a fusion splicing unit (3). The image acquisition unit (9) acquires an image including end faces (F1a, F2a) of first and second optical fibers (F1, F2) to be connected in a state where the respective end faces (F1a, F2a) of the first and second optical fibers (F1, F2) are disposed to face each other. The condition setting unit (14) grasps the respective states of the end faces (F1a, F2a) on the basis of the image, and sets a splicing condition according to the respective states of the end faces (F1a, F2a). The fusion splicing unit (3) fusion splices the first and second optical fibers (F1, F2) to each other by discharge between a pair of electrode bars (3b) in accordance with the splicing condition set by the condition setting unit. The splicing condition includes at least one among the respective positions (X1, X2) of the end faces (F1a, F2a) before the start of the discharge, the distance (D) between the end surfaces (F1a, F2a) before the start of the discharge, a preliminary discharge time, a main discharge time, a push-in amount after the end faces come into contact with each other, and a pull-back amount after the end faces are pushed in.

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