Practical splicing of poly-methyl-methacrylate plastic optical fibers

Area of Science:

• Engineering
• Materials Science
• Optical Communications

Background:

• Plastic optical fibers (POF) like poly-methyl-methacrylate (PMMA) are increasingly used in various applications.
• Existing splicing techniques for POF can be complex, time-consuming, or expensive.
• There is a need for simple, accessible splicing methods for widespread adoption.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and present a simple, fast, and cost-effective splicing technique for PMMA plastic optical fibers.
• To demonstrate the practicality of this technique for home networks, laboratory research, and educational purposes.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a widely available, low-cost transparent adhesive and a suitable alignment sleeve.
• Employed the polyethylene jacket for fiber alignment, eliminating the need for fiber tip cleaning or polishing.
• Measured insertion losses for various PMMA-based fiber types.

Main Results:

• Achieved a practical and straightforward splicing method for PMMA optical fibers.
• Demonstrated low insertion losses across different PMMA fiber types.
• The technique requires minimal preparation, such as no need for cleaning or polishing fiber tips.

Conclusions:

• The described splicing technique offers a simple, fast, and cost-effective solution for PMMA plastic optical fibers.
• This method is highly suitable for applications in home networks, laboratory research, and educational settings.
• The technique's ease of use and low cost can promote broader utilization of PMMA optical fibers.