Patent ID: 6404963
Filing Date: 2002-06-11
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
A method for joining a large core polymer fiber with a coupling member such as a glass rod and comprising the steps ofproviding a longitudinally extending large core polymer fiber having a polymer core and cladding surrounding the polymer core, the cladding having a higher melting temperature than the polymer core; heating the large core polymer fiber at a preselected point along its length thereby causing the polymer core to reach a substantially uniform temperature and soften at the preselected point; fracturing the polymer core at the preselected point by pulling the polymer core apart sharply thereby causing the polymer core to be stressed at a high rate at the preselected point, the fracturing step resulting in a removable core portion and a remaining core portion disposed within the cladding with the remaining core portion having a smooth, flat end formed by a fracture surface resulting from the fracturing step; removing the removable core portion to create a void in the cladding of the large core polymer fiber; and inserting a coupling member in the void.