Optical Combiner Fiber Composition for Low-Deformation Fusion Splicing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical combiners experience deformation in the cross section of optical fibers during fusion-splicing, leading to deterioration in beam quality due to differences in softening temperatures and viscosities among the fibers.
Innovation Solution
An optical combiner configuration where at least one first optical fiber, positioned centrally, is made of materials with higher softening temperatures than the other fibers, minimizing deformation by maintaining higher viscosity during fusion-splicing, and ensuring efficient coupling with a second optical fiber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fusion-splicing is performed to join optical fiber bundle and second optical fiber, then coupling efficiency is improved, but cross-sectional deformation of optical fibers occurs due to heating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material composition parameter of the optical fibers, specifically using fluorine-doped quartz glass with controlled dopant concentrations (0.5-5 mol% for central fiber, 1-10 mol% for outer fibers) to achieve different softening temperatures. This parameter change allows the central fiber to maintain higher viscosity during fusion-splicing, reducing cross-sectional deformation while ensuring proper coupling.
2Stability of the object's composition
If external heating is applied to form fused portion, then gaps between optical fibers are eliminated, but cross section of optical fibers deforms from circular shape
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating spatial variation in material composition among the optical fibers. The central optical fiber contains 0.5-5 mol% fluorine dopant while outer optical fibers contain 1-10 mol% fluorine dopant, creating a gradient structure. This local differentiation in dopant concentration results in different softening temperatures and viscosities at different positions, allowing the central fiber to resist deformation while outer fibers facilitate gap elimination.
3Ease of manufacture
If material with lower softening temperature is used, then fusion-splicing is easier, but cross-sectional deformation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter by introducing fluorine dopants with specifically controlled concentrations (0.5-10 mol%) to adjust softening temperatures. The central fiber uses lower dopant concentration (0.5-5 mol%) for higher softening temperature and reduced deformation, while outer fibers use higher concentrations (1-10 mol%) for easier splicing. This parameter optimization balances manufacturability with shape preservation.
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
This configuration reduces deformation in the cross section of the central optical fiber, enhancing beam quality by maintaining isotropic deformation and improving coupling efficiency compared to conventional methods.
Implementation Method 1
When the fused portion is formed, the optical fiber bundle is externally heated so that the first optical fibers are each fused.
Implementation Method 2
the at least one predetermined first optical fiber being composed of one or more materials having higher softening temperatures than one or more materials for the other first optical fibers
Data Source
AI summary
An optical combiner includes: an optical fiber bundle formed by a plurality of first optical fibers; and a second optical fiber including an end surface joined to an end surface of the optical fiber bundle by fusion-splicing. The plurality of first optical fibers includes a predetermined first optical fiber and other first optical fibers. The predetermined first optical fiber is composed of one or more materials having higher softening temperatures than one or more materials of the other first optical fibers.