Optical Fiber Splice Loss

Issued: July 2006, Supercedes: May 2006

Document: AN0003

Abstract
Optical power loss at the splicing point of two ends of optical fiber
is known as splice loss. In this application note splice loss
measurement technique, extrinsic & intrinsic factors effecting
splice loss and typical settings of splicing instrument for Sterlite
G652 fibers are described.

Keywords
Optical fiber , Splice Loss, Mode field diameter

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Definition

Fusion splicing is a technique to join two fibers ends. Optical power loss at the splicing point is
known as splice loss.

How splice loss can be measured?

An Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR) can be used for splice loss measurement. A
cable section-containing splices are normally shown as knees on the optical power loss OTDR
graph. As per the procedure (ANSI/TIA/EIA-455-8-2000), splice loss measurements with an
OTDR must be conducted from both directions and averaged (by adding with signs)for
accurate splice loss. Below is the graphical picture of ‘gainers’ and ‘exaggerated losses’
measurements; the effect on actual splice loss is relatively low.

It is important to remember that actual splice-loss is the measured splice-loss in both

directions divided with two.

Splice loss A to B + Splice loss B to A

Splice Loss = ---- ---------------------Eq (1)
2

Example:

0.04dB A to B + (-0.02dB) B to A
Splice Loss = = 0.01 dB ---------------------------Eq. (2)
2

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On which parameters splice loss is dependent?
The parameters, which control loss in any fiber joining method, can be classified as Intrinsic
and Extrinsic parameters.

Intrinsic
Intrinsic Parameters
Intrinsic or fiber related parameters are determined when the fiber is manufactured and
cannot be controlled by the individual doing splicing.
Mode Field Diameter (MFD) is the most important intrinsic parameter. More splice loss can be
observed for higher difference in MFD values. The MFD is a characteristic, which describes the
mode field (cross-sectional area of light) traveling down a fiber at a given wavelength. When
fibers with different MFD values are spliced together, a MFD mismatch occurs at splice point.
With the help of the following formula splice loss due to MFD mismatch can be calculated
from MFDs (in µm) of two fibers

1 MFD1 MFD2
Splice Loss (in dB) = 20 Log + ------------------------ Eq. (3)
2 MFD2 MFD1

MFD of PMD-LITE fibers can vary from 8.8 to 9.6 µm. As per the above equation splice loss
between two extreme MFD values is 0.035 dB.

Splice loss due to MFD difference

0.06 8.8
8.9
Calculated Splice Loss (in dB)

0.05
9
0.04 9.1
9.2
0.03 9.3
9.4
0.02
9.5
0.01 9.6
9.7
-
9.8
8.7 8.9 9.1 9.3 9.5 9.7 9.9
MFD1 (in µm)

Figure 1

Figure 1 shows calculated splice loss as per equation 3 with various MFD combinations of
range 8.8-9.8 µm. Higher differences in MFD values between two fibers increases splice loss.

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 0.06

Maxim um splice loss due to MFD

0.05

0.04
difference (in dB)

0.03

0.02

0.01

0
8.8 8.9 9 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 9.6 9.7 9.8
MFD (in µm)

Figure 2

Figure 2 shows maximum splice loss of fiber with particular MFD value with any other fiber of
MFD range 8.8-9.6 µm. Splice loss of fiber with MFD 9.3 µm is lowest when spliced with any
other fiber of range 8.8-9.6 µm. Splice loss increase in either side of the band and reaches
0.05 dB at two extreme points. Thus it is better to maintain MFD value close to 9.3µm to
achieve least splice loss with any other fibers.

Extrinsic Parameters
Extrinsic, or splice process related parameters are those induced by splicing methods and
procedures. Splice process parameters include lateral and angular alignment, contamination
at the fiber end and core deformation due to un-optimized heating & pressing. These external
parameters can be controlled/minimized by improving skill of the individual doing splicing and
by automated fiber alignment and fusion cycles.

It has been observed that splice loss between two identical fibers with same MFD and
geometry parameters is as high as 0.04 dB. This excess loss is due to miss alignment and
other splicing process parameters. Figure 3 shows fiber end conditions with various un-
optimized splicing parameters.

Figure 3
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Other important extrinsic parameter is fiber end angle. Proper fiber end preparation is the
most fundamental step to get acceptable splice loss. Generally end angle less than two
degrees gives acceptable field splice loss. End angle is dependent on condition of cleaver and
cleaver blade. Typical end angle of well – maintained cleaver is around one-half degree. Figure
4 is showing comparison between bad and good cleaving. It has been observed that extrinsic
parameters can give splice loss as high as 0.4 dB. By controlling extrinsic parameters,
acceptable field splice loss can be achieved.

Figure 4 Bad vs Good Cleave

Recommended Splicing parameters for Sterlite’s G652 fibers

Parameters
• ARC duration 01.50sec
• Pre-fusion 00.10sec
• ARC gap 10.00µm
• Overlap 15.00µm
• ARC power 00.20step

Alignment method
• Auto Core Alignment

Fiber end check

• Auto cleave angle check

Measurement method
• Optical time domain reflectormeter (discussed above)

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