Low-loss splices in optical fibers

Several methods are reported for making splices in optical fibers. The methods have application to both liquid-core and solid-core fibers and have been demonstrated for liquid-core fibers. The lowest-loss splice consists of an inserted glass pin and an outer sleeve. Best repeatable results are 0.4 dB loss in the splice. A splicing device has been constructed which provides automatic alignment of the components and automatic assembly for several fibers at once. The technique may be directly extended to multiple splicing as for fiber cables.