Fusion splicing of double-clad large mode area fibres for fabrication of high power fibre lasers

Abstract

Fusion splicing is a fibre connection technology that is a key element in the fabrication of high power fibre lasers. Obtaining low optical transmission loss fusion splices remains a challenge in the development of high power fibre lasers. To address this problem, splicing experiments were conducted to find the best parameters to produce low splice losses (<0.1 dB). Due to the large number of splice parameters, the experimental methodology made use of fractional factorial design which enables the reduction of the required number of experiments by performing them at a certain specific combination of parameters. A system was setup to conduct splice loss measurements. The splice loss results were analysed by using a statistical tool called the analysis of variance (ANOVA) which revealed that gap distance and arc power 2 splice parameters have a stronger influence on the splice loss. Optimal splice parameter set points were found that produced the lowest average splice loss