Automation of fiber optic polished coupler fabrication

An electromechanical system which manufactures polished fiber-optic couplers is described. A stand-alone microprocessor-based control unit places the fiber for polishing onto a polishing wheel. The control unit then monitors the optical power output of the fiber and terminates polishing when the desired amount of fiber has been removed. Microprocessor hardware and software are discussed. Experimental results show that this system produces very precise fiber couplers.<
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