Self-core-alignment arc-fusion splicer based on a simple local monitoring method

We have developed an arc-fusion splicer with a self-core-alignment function based on cladding-mode-leakage light power monitoring that incorporates a microprocessor, piezoelectric elements, and a photoreceiver with high sensitivity, for monitoring the leakage light power without bending the receiving fiber. The design and the performance of the splicer are presented. Using the splicer, we successfully demonstrate the splicings of single-mode fibers in a repeater section of an experimental optical submarine cable transmission system. The required time for one splicing including the self-core-alignment process is only 50 s and we have obtained extremely good results with an average splice loss of 0.035 dB for 100 splices at the far end of a 30-km-long single-mode fiber connected with a repeater.