Devitrification effect on optical-fiber strength reduction by fusion splicing

Devitrification effect on the strength reduction of optical silica fiber at fusion spliced point was examined and discussed. By a heating experiment for silica glass plates, crystalline growth on the plate surface was examined. Contamination influence, heating-temperature dependence, and heating-time dependence, were evaluated. These results give a good explanation of fiber strength reduction characteristics which were experimentally investigated by using a discharge fusion splicing apparatus.