fusjonsskjøt

A fusjonsskjøt, often translated as fusion splice, is a technique used to join two optical fibers together permanently. This is achieved by aligning the two fiber ends and then melting them together using an electric arc. The process is performed by a specialized fusion splicer machine, which precisely aligns the fiber cores and ensures minimal signal loss at the splice point.

The preparation of the fiber ends is critical for a successful fusion splice. The outer protective coating of the fiber is stripped away, followed by the removal of the buffer coating. The exposed fiber ends are then cleaned thoroughly to remove any contaminants. Finally, the ends are cleaved cleanly at a 90-degree angle to ensure a flat, perpendicular surface.

Once the fibers are placed in the fusion splicer, the machine typically uses a camera system to display magnified images of the fiber ends. Users or the machine itself then meticulously align the cores of the two fibers. The electric arc then initiates, melting the glass at the tips of the fibers. The machine may also apply a small amount of pressure to fuse the fibers while they are molten.

After the fusion process, the splice is inspected for quality. A good splice will have minimal loss, meaning very little light signal is reflected back or lost. The newly formed splice is then protected by a heat-shrinkable sleeve, which is heated to encapsulate and strengthen the joint. Fusion splicing is the preferred method for joining optical fibers in many telecommunications and data networking applications due to its low loss and high reliability.