Patent ID: 6516635
Filing Date: 2003-02-11
Classification: C03B,G02B

Abstract:
A method for forming a combination of two optical fiber couplers, the method comprising:providing a fiber complex that physically couples first and second optical fibers; aligning the two fibers in a first fiber coupler and in a second fiber coupler, spaced apart by a selected separation distance, with the fiber complex therebetween; propagating a light beam having a selected wavelength component within the first and second fibers; varying a light beam wavelength within the wavelength component and measuring successive maximum and minimum values of a selected interferometric variable IF associated with the two fibers, as the wavelength component is varied; and when (1) the successive maximum values fall within an envelope having a selected threshold width that includes a reference maximum value and (2) the successive maximum and minimum values differ by at least a first selected threshold difference, interpreting occurrence of these conditions as indicating that the combination of the first and second couplers is acceptable.