Polymer Micro-bridge for Low-Loss Optical Fiber Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge lies in developing a method to connect plastic optical fibers with standard silica glass fibers of different geometrical dimensions, which is essential for hybrid telecommunications networks, while minimizing signal loss, as existing detachable connections suffer from high losses exceeding 1.5 dB.
Innovation Solution
A polymer micro-bridge is created using a photopolymerization process, acting as a mode converter, connecting optical fibers of varying materials and geometries by aligning them coaxially and introducing a photopolymerizing substance containing disodium salt of Eosin Y, methyldiethanolamine, pentaerythritol triacrylate, and heptafluorobutyl acrylate, with a light beam initiating polymerization, resulting in a polymer micro-bridge that adapts technical parameters for low-loss connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If detachable connections are used to connect plastic fibres with silica glass fibres, then adaptability to different fibre types is improved, but connection loss increases to above 1.5 dB
Solution Approach 1:
A polymer converter acts as an intermediary element between the plastic optical fibre and the silica glass fibre. The converter includes a first polymer section coupled to the plastic fibre, a second polymer section coupled to the silica glass fibre, and a gradient index section that optically couples the two polymer sections. This intermediate structure adapts the different geometrical dimensions and optical properties of the two fibre types while maintaining low connection loss below 0.15 dB.
2Ease of manufacture
If standard mechanical splicing methods are used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but connection loss remains high at 1.5 dB or more
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical alignment and splicing systems with a photopolymerization-based manufacturing process. A photopolymerizing substance is introduced between the fibre ends, and UV light initiates polymerization to form the converter structure. This substitution of mechanical processes with photochemical processes enables precise control of the optical interface while maintaining ease of manufacture.
3Adaptability or versatility
If fibres with different geometrical dimensions are connected, then versatility of network configuration is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The polymer converter employs local quality variations through its gradient index section, where the refractive index changes continuously from the first polymer section to the second polymer section. This gradient structure locally adapts the optical field distribution to match the different geometrical dimensions of the connected fibres, reducing sensitivity to alignment errors and manufacturing tolerances.
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 approach achieves connection losses below 0.15 dB, significantly lower than commercial mechanical splicing, enabling efficient data transmission with reduced material and production costs, particularly suitable for indoor installations with many bends.
Implementation Method 1
introducing a photopolymerizing substance between their end faces and illuminating it with a light beam, wherein the light beam initiates polymerization
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 2
AI summary
The method to produce a polymer converter for connecting optical fibres according to the present invention is characterized by the polymer converter is created between optical fibres made of different materials. The polymer converter for connecting fibres made of different materials, being a polymer microbridge (1) created at the end faces of the pair of optical fibres (2 and 3) positioned in front of each other, wherein at least one of the fibres is a plastic fibre made in the photopolymerisation process. The mixture of the photopolymerising substance introduced as a drop between the end faces consists of Eosin Y, co-initiator (MDEA - methyldiethanolamine) and multifunction monomers: pentaerythritol triacrylate (PETA) and additionally heptafluorobutyl acrylate (HFBA) for connecting the optical fibres.