Bent Optical Fiber Laser Heating Strain Relaxation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for forming bent optical fibers with smaller radii of curvature often result in increased optical transmission loss, making it challenging to achieve a desired bend profile while maintaining acceptable transmission performance.
Innovation Solution
A bent optical fiber manufacturing method involving a pre-step of preparing silica-based glass fibers, followed by bending and then heating specific regions with laser light to relax the bends and adjust the curvature, ensuring the optical transmission loss remains within permissible limits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the radius of curvature of the bent region is made smaller to achieve further reduction of the profile, then the profile height is reduced, but the optical transmission loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the heating temperature and duration of the bend portion through laser irradiation. By precisely adjusting these parameters, the glass transition temperature of the optical fiber is reached to relax strain without causing excessive bending that would increase transmission loss, thus resolving the contradiction between profile reduction and transmission loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by forming a bend portion with a preliminary radius of curvature that is smaller than the desired final radius. The bend portion is then heated to relax the strain, which increases the radius of curvature to the desired value while maintaining the reduced profile, thereby preventing excessive transmission loss.
2Volume of moving object
If a bend with smaller radius of curvature is formed to reduce profile, then the mechanical strain increases, but the mechanical reliability degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the heating temperature to reach the glass transition temperature of the optical fiber material. This temperature change allows the bend portion to relax strain and improve mechanical reliability while maintaining the reduced profile configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of excessive strain in the bent region into a beneficial effect by applying controlled heating. The heat treatment relaxes the strain that would otherwise degrade mechanical reliability, transforming the problematic tight bend into a mechanically sound structure.
3Reliability
If conventional heating methods are used to relax strain, then the mechanical reliability is improved, but the manufacturing precision and control of bend radius deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional contact heating methods (such as flame heating) with laser light irradiation. This substitution provides non-contact, localized heating with precise control over the heated region, enabling accurate control of the bend radius while effectively relaxing strain to improve mechanical reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control by monitoring the heating process and adjusting laser irradiation parameters to achieve the desired bend radius. This feedback mechanism ensures that the bend portion is heated to the appropriate temperature to relax strain without excessive heating that would compromise manufacturing precision.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method effectively forms bent optical fibers with desired radii of curvature while maintaining low optical transmission loss, enhancing mechanical reliability and reducing strain in the fibers.
Implementation Method 1
a laser light irradiating step of heating the bend portion by irradiation with laser light to soften the bend portion formed in the bend portion forming step
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment of the invention relates to a bent optical fiber manufacturing method for manufacturing a bent optical fiber in which a bent region with a desired radius of curvature is formed, while maintaining an optical transmission loss within a permissible range. The method has a pre-step of preparing an optical fiber comprised of silica-based glass, a bend portion forming step of forming a bend portion in a partial region of the optical fiber, and a laser light irradiating step of irradiating the thus-formed bend portion with laser light.