An optical network comprises a fiber distribution cable and a terminal assembly. The terminal assembly receives a plurality of optical fibers from the fiber distribution cable and distributes one or more individual fibers to one or more single fiber bare-fiber holders that hold and protect each single fiber prepared and configured for splicing via an individual splicing element. The splicing element includes an alignment mechanism having a base plate and a clamp plate. At least one of the base plate and clamp plate is formed from a silica material and at least one of the base plate and clamp plate includes an alignment groove or channel configured to receive the first and second optical fibers in an end-to-end manner. The splice element also comprises an optical adhesive disposed in at least a portion of the alignment groove, wherein the optical adhesive is curable via actinic radiation.

A splice element for splicing a first and a second optical fiber comprises an alignment mechanism having a base plate and a clamp plate. At least one of the base plate and clamp plate is formed from a silica material and at least one of the base plate and clamp plate includes an alignment groove configured to receive the first and second optical fibers in an end-to-end manner. The splice element also comprises an optical adhesive disposed in at least a portion of the alignment groove, wherein the optical adhesive is curable via actinic radiation.

A method for fusion-splicing optical fibers and a fusion splicer are provided, which enable preventing a fusion spliced portion from disconnecting when the optical fiber is removed from the fusion splicer. A fusion-splicing method for optical fibers comprises: holding optical fibers and on optical fiber holding parts respectively provided on a pair of movable stages; butting ends of optical fibers by bringing the pair of movable stages mutually closer; fusion-splicing butted optical fibers to form a fusion spliced portion S; carrying out a proof test, the proof test including applying a tension to the fusion spliced portion S by moving the pair of movable stages so as to distance them from each other; and bringing the pair of movable stages mutually closer by a predetermined distance upon completion of the proof test.

An optical fiber termination tool includes a tool base having a pocket to receive a mechanical splice optical fiber connector; a lever hingedly connected to the tool base, the lever including a wedge; and a slide mounted to the lever, the slide slidable relative to the lever, the slide movable from a first position to a second position to move the wedge from a disengaged position to an engaged position.

The invention discloses a positioning fixture for fixing an end face structure of an optical fiber splice closure, comprising a fixed clamp, where a movable clamp is connected to the fixed clamp, a locking component is disposed between the fixed clamp and the movable clamp, the fixed clamp is provided with a first groove, the movable clamp is provided with a second groove, and the first groove and the second groove cooperate to form a circular annular slot, where a slot width of the circular annular slot is greater than a thickness of the circumferential flange, the first groove and the second groove are both provided with feature lug bosses that are distributed at intervals along their respective circumferential directions and used for clamping with the circumferential flange.

Field-installable mechanical splice connectors for making optical and/or electrical connections in the field are disclosed. One embodiment is a mechanical splice connector having an optical portion that includes at least one lens. The connector also includes a mechanical retention component for securing at least one optical field fiber to the at least one body.

A fusion splicer according to one embodiment includes an optical fiber holder, a rotation mechanism rotating the optical fiber holder, a bending portion bending the optical fiber, a light source allowing light from the side of the optical fiber to be incident on the optical fiber bent by the bending portion, and a power supply unit supplying power to the light source. A tip of the optical fiber protrudes from an end of the optical fiber holder, and the rotation mechanism is disposed on the opposite side of the end of the optical fiber holder in the axial direction extending along the optical fiber. The bending portion and the light source are disposed on the opposite side of the optical fiber holder interposing the rotation mechanism in the axial direction. The bending portion includes a bending adjustment unit adjusting a bending amount of the optical fiber.

An optical fiber fusion splicing method for performing fusion splicing through positioning of optical fibers to be spliced in a V-groove is provided. The optical fiber fusion splicing method includes pressing the optical fibers placed in the V-groove relatively toward the V-groove using a clamp, varying a clamp pressure of the clamp pressing the optical fibers, and moving the optical fibers placed in the V-groove with respect to the V-groove in an axial direction.