An optical fiber fusion splicer includes an image acquisition unit, a condition setting unit, and a fusion splicing unit. The image acquisition unit acquires an image including each of end surfaces of first and second optical fibers that are splicing targets in a state where the end surfaces of the first and second optical fibers are disposed to face each other. The condition setting unit sets splicing conditions in accordance with a state of each of the end surfaces by identifying the state of each of the end surfaces on the basis of the image. The fusion splicing unit fusion-splices the first and second optical fibers together by means of discharge between a pair of electrode bars in accordance with the splicing conditions set by the condition setting unit.

A deterioration estimation method according to one embodiment is a deterioration estimation method for estimating deterioration of a blade of an optical fiber cutter that cuts an optical fiber. The deterioration estimation method includes a process of determining a state of an end face of the optical fiber cut by the blade and a process of estimating from a determination result for the end face whether or not the blade is deteriorated.

The box has a base (10) and a (20) which is hinged to the base (10 and displaceable between a closed position and an open position. At least one peripheral wall (12) of the base (10) is provided with at least two lateral openings (13) each being flanked by two inclined recesses (13a/13b) and each closed by a sealing grommet (30) for the passage of at least one multi-fiber optical cable (CO) and which is pressed into the lateral opening (13) to receive thereon a sealing gasket (24) carried by the lid (20). A splitter accommodation tray (60) has a front face (61) attached to the top wall (21) of the lid (20) and carrying splitter and/or fiber accommodation means (MSF), and a rear face (62) covered by a splitter protective plate (PS). Each splitter and/or fiber accommodation means (MSF) is connectable to a fiber extension (EF1) of an optical cable (CO) received in the base (10) and to fiber extensions (EF2) connected to output adapters (AS) mounted. on at least one peripheral wall (22) of the lid (20) and externally connected to connectors (C) of terminal cables (CT).

An optical fiber fuse protection device includes an upstream optical fiber disposed on an upstream side, a downstream optical fiber disposed on a downstream side, and a wall interposed between a part of the upstream optical fiber and a part of the downstream optical fiber. The downstream optical fiber is fusion-spliced to the upstream optical fiber and is made of a single optical fiber or a plurality of optical fibers fusion-spliced to each other.

Provided is a system for and a method of processing an optical fiber, such as tapering an optical fiber. The method includes receiving fiber parameters defining characteristics of an optical fiber, modeling an idealized fiber based on the fiber parameters to establish modeled data, and establishing processing parameters. A processing operation is performed on the optical fiber according to the processing parameters to produce a resultant fiber. Aspects of the resultant fiber are measured to establish measured data. The measured data and the modeled data are normalized to a common axis and a difference between the two is determined. The processing parameters are adjusted based on the differences.

A laser device includes: a laser unit that outputs laser light; an output end that launches the laser light; a first fusion splice portion; and a second fusion splice portion. In each of the first fusion splice portion and the second fusion splice portion, two multi-mode fibers are fusion-spliced. Each of the two multi-mode fibers include a core through which the laser light propagates and a cladding that surrounds the core. The first fusion splice portion is disposed closer to the laser unit than is the second fusion splice portion. At least a part of the core in the first fusion splice portion contains a dopant that is the same type as a dopant contained in the cladding in the first fusion splice portion for decreasing a refractive index.

This fusion splicing system includes a model creation device and a plurality of fusion splicers. The model creation device creates a determination model by performing machine learning using sample data indicating a correspondence relationship between feature amounts obtained from imaging data of optical fibers and types of the optical fibers. Each fusion splicer has an imaging unit, a determination unit, and a splicing unit. The imaging unit generates imaging data. The determination unit inputs feature amounts to the determination model and determines a type of each of the pair of optical fibers. The splicing unit fusion splices the pair of optical fibers on splicing conditions based on determination results. The model creation device creates the determination model by classifying the plurality of fusion splicers into two or more groups each estimated to have similar tendencies in the imaging data and collecting the sample data for each group.

Techniques for aligning each of a plurality of optical fibers for coupling to a photonic integrated circuit (PIC). Transmission is detected from each respective optical fiber to the PIC using a probe, and the respective optical fiber is aligned based on the detected transmission. Each of the plurality of optical fibers is coupled to the PIC using at least one of: (i) laser splicing, (ii) laser spot welding, or (iii) arc welding,

A fusion splicing system includes a fusion splicer configured to perform fusion splicing of optical fibers, and a server configured to receive fusion splicing data pertaining to the fusion splicing from an information terminal capable of communicating with the fusion splicer, or the fusion splicer via a communication network. The fusion splicing data includes first identification information for identifying a project to which the fusion splicing belongs. The server retains second identification information related to a registered project registered in advance, compares the first identification information with the second identification information, and interrelates the fusion splicing data with the registered project indicated by the second identification information when the first identification information coincides with the second identification information.

Laser light splicing of optical fibers with laser light outside of the peak absorption band of the optical fibers, for example splicing of silica optical fibers at wavelengths smaller than about 9 μm. In some variants, the product of the absorption coefficient at ambient temperature of the optical fibers at the wavelength of the laser light with the power of the laser light is smaller than the product of the peak absorption coefficient at ambient temperature in the absorption band by the power required to splice the optical fibers with light at the peak absorption.