FIBER-OPTIC CABLE FOR MULTICHANNEL ACOUSTOOPTICAL SWITCH AND ITS MANUFACTURING PROCESS Russian patent published in 2002 - IPC

FIELD: multichannel fiber-optic communication lines. SUBSTANCE: fiber- optic cable has on input end assembly of tightly connected optical fibers placed in stiff shell provided with fastenings for attaching it to acoustooptical switch case. At least part of fibers in assembly have at least one section lengthwise of fiber whose diameter of sheath next to core is smaller than that of sheath on remaining length of cable. Interconnected fibers form truncated cone with its top facing butt end of fiber-optic cable and ends of fibers form planar or concave spherical end of cable input end. During cable manufacture protective sheath is stripped off each fiber on its input end, fibers are placed along guides, treated part is immersed in acid solution for the time sufficient to reduce diameter of each fiber to desired value, and this part is washed; then input end of cable is immersed in neutral solution, extracted therefrom at the same time providing for fiber-to-fiber sticking throughout entire length of treated part, input end of cable is placed in adhesive solution so that cable end comes in contact with adhesive surface; in the process adhesive fills up vacant space between assembly fibers throughout entire length of treated part due to capillary forces, and after adhesive has solidified on entire length of treated part, sleeve having calibrated outer diameter is fitted onto cable end; free space inside sleeve is filled with adhesive and upon its hardening sleeve is inserted in stiff shell so that end part of cable together with sleeve protrudes from stiff shell, whereupon sleeve is rigidly fixed to shell on input end of fiber-optic cable; projecting part of cable is cut off, and input end is polished. EFFECT: minimized number of channels at minimal area of input end; minimal loss at light beam entrance in fiber; minimal cross coupling between line channels, enhanced reliability under abnormal conditions. 12 cl, 9 dwg