Core alignment procedure for single-mode-fibre jointing

An auxiliary optical system is described which will enable the core alignment of single-mode fibres in a jointing location without use of far-end apparatus. The system is based on the launching of an optical signal into the core of the first fibre and the detection of this signal from the core of the second fibre by bending of the fibres and without removal of the coating. A two-step experimental alignment procedure is described consisting of a visual coarse alignment followed by a fine alignment by means of a simple piezo-electric fibre translator.