The animated TECHTip Tutorial is available here.

This tutorial covers problems/errors in splicing of optical fibers as well as other issues related to optical fiber communications.

End gaps are the most common splice problem resulting in insertion loss and return loss. Concentricity and End Angle errors often result in similar losses from light reflections emerging from the connector and can cause light reflections called Fresnel reflection, back reflection, or return loss. On mechanical splices of optical fibers, return loss can be reduced by using Perpendicular Cleaving (cutting the fiber ferrule-fiber alignment mechanism) flush at a 90 degree angle.

There are several types of connector-related loss (bit errors) which results from misalignments which include:

• Lateral displacement - where one fiber axis does not match with the other fiber

• Angular displacement - where the angle of the splice is misaligned
• End separation - where fibers are slightly apart

Directional loss can result from NA and core diameter differences. Logically, from a larger fiber (numerical aperture or core diameter) to a smaller fiber may have a greater loss than from a smaller to larger.

Fresnel reflection loss is caused by the differences in the refractive indices of the two fibers and the air gap between them. Dust may also fill the gap causing further loss.

Fresnel reflection loss can be as much as 15 db - a level sufficient to disrupt the loss of many lasers.

Animated examples are provided in the tutorial.

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[tags]techtionary,animated tutorial,fresnel reflection loss,splicing optical fiber[/tags]