Patent ID: 7494288
Filing Date: 2009-02-24
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. A method for fusion splicing of an optical fiber using an optical fiber fusion splicer comprising a setting means for setting respective end surfaces of two optical fibers that are to be spliced in order to abut against each other, a heating means for generating an arc discharge between two discharge electrodes and heating an abutment portion of said optical fibers using a discharge beam, and an image pickup means for picking up an image of said discharge beam, the method comprising: measuring, from image signals obtained by said image pickup means when a preliminary arc discharge is generated between said discharge electrodes when no optical fibers have been placed in a discharge area, brightness distributions on a plurality of lines that are set at different positions along a rectilinear direction between said discharge electrodes and run in a direction substantially at right angles to the rectilinear direction; estimating a heating center of the arc discharge along an axial direction of the optical fiber from the plurality of brightness distributions; controlling a position of said setting means along the axial direction of the optical fiber such that the abutment portion of said two optical fibers is positioned in the estimated heating center; and thereafter controlling said heating means such that a main arc discharge is generated and said abutment portion is heated by said discharge beam.