TECH TALK

Fusion Splicing
Core Alignment vs Cladding Alignment

INSPIRATION INNOVATION INTEGRATION

Continued growth in fibre optic communications

has resulted in a growing number of applications and
deployment environments for optical cables. Telco
backhaul, access networks, FTTH, LAN, sensing and
submarine installations all present unique challenges
optically and environmentally to network operators and
installers alike.
Fusion splicing is the process by which two optical fibres are joined
together to create one continuous optical path. Fibres are fused together
using a series of electrical arcs which firstly clean the fibres then heat the
two fibre surfaces. Once heated, the two fibres are pushed together to
create a continuous optical path. The aim is to fuse the fibres together
while maintaining the lowest optical
lossperformance.
Prior to splicing the fibres are cleaved.
The cable jacket, protective materials and
water blocking gels are removed and the
primary coating is stripped to expose the
bare fibre. The fibres are now ready for
cleaving. Cleaving is the process by which
the bare fibres are scored and snapped
using a precision blade to expose a clean
fibre end face perpendicular to thefibre.
Splicing Methods

180X zoom showing precision cleave (left)

and fibre break (right)

Core Alignment Spicing

Core Alignment Fusion Splicing is the most commonly used fusion
splicing technology.
A system of cameras, lenses, light sources and motors work together
to optimise the fibres core location and alignment. Fibres are located
in v-grooves which allow them to move in all three axis which provides
core-core alignment optimisation. The ability to control core location
on each fibre results in improved splice performance as the splicer can
compensate against influences such as fibre offset due to contamination
or core-cladding concentricity mismatches.

Core alignment image processing

AFC Tech Talk

TECH TALK

Cladding Alignment Splicing

In cladding alignment fusion splicing, a fixed v-groove alignment method
is used to align the claddings of the two fibres. Fibres are moved inwards
and outwards only. In addition to cleave quality, the alignment and
subsequent splice performance is heavily influenced by fibre position,
core-cladding concentricity and mode field diameter (MFD). Fibre
location is influenced by contamination on the fibre or v-grooves and can
be controlled by the operator. Maintaining clean fibre and v-grooves will
ensure the fibres are seated in their optimum position. Splice performance
is also influenced by core-cladding concentricity and MFD, however
these are fibre manufacture parameters and cannot be controlled by the
operator. These factors typically come into consideration when splicing
new to old fibres and also dissimilar fibres such as singlemode G652.D
toG657.A.

Poor
Concentricity

Good
Concentricity

Maintaining
clean fibre
and v-grooves
will ensure
the fibres are
seated in their
optimum
position

Mismatch due to poor concentricity

Poor fibre concentricity causing core misalignment

After splicing
Once the fibres have been fused together, the splicer will provide a
loss estimate and perform a proof test. The proof test applies a force
to the fibre in opposing directions to check the mechanical integrity
of the splice joint. A splice protector sleeve is placed over the joint and
with heat applied, shrunk down over the fibre to provide additional
mechanicalprotection.

Best Practice Fusion Splicing

Clean maintain a clean and contamination free work area. Contamination will migrate through all
aspects of the splicing process. Regularly clean items such as stripping tools, cleaver pads, cleaver blade,
V-grooves, camera lenses, mirror and splicer travel case.
Cleaver blades continuously monitor cleaver performance and adjust blade position when required.
Frontline maintenance regularly perform self-maintenance routines such as arc calibration, electrode
stablisation and battery cycling.
Original parts only use manufacturers original consumables such as electrodes and cleaver blades.
Servicing only send your splicer to manufacturer endorsed service centres. Only manufacturer endorsed
service centres have manufacturer trained and certified technicians, access to manufacturer original parts
and firmware.
Safety always dispose of fibre offcuts in an appropriate manner such as sharps container.

Fusion Splicing - Core Alignment vs Cladding Alignment

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