Patent ID: 7147388

Claim:
A method for making a retarding polarization fiber segment for a light wave to obtain a desired polarization state, said method comprising the steps of: (a) clamping, by way of a first clamp, an input optical fiber, having first and second ends, to an input fiber holding fixture establishing a first reference plane substantially transverse to said input optical fiber; (b) cleaving said input optical fiber at said first end a controlled distance B away from said reference plane; (c) splicing a retardation fiber to said first end of said input optical fiber; (d) clamping, by way of a second clamp, said retardation fiber to a second holding fixture in fixed relation to said first input fiber holding fixture, and there being a second reference plane transverse to said second holding fixture; (e) releasing said first clamp on said input optical fiber; (f) moving said input fiber holding fixture a selected distance D, relative to said second holding fixture, to achieve a desired delay line; (g) clamping said input optical fiber to said input fiber holding fixture; and (h) cleaving said retardation fiber at said controlled distance B away from said first reference plane.