Low-loss splices for single mode fibres

A technique for producing low-loss splices in single-mode fibres has been developed and evaluated. The splices are made by sandwiching the fibre butt-joint ends between a glass V-groove block and a flat glass plate, both of which are made by fibre-drawing techniques. A new splice-loss measuring technique is described. The majority of splices made on identical fibres have losses of less than 0.01 dB.