Influences of nanoscale abrasive suspensions on the polishing of fiber-optic connectors

摘要

Effects of different nanoscale abrasive suspensions on the geometrical quality including fiber and ferrule surface roughness, fiber height, radius of curvature and apex offset, and the optical performance in terms of return and insertion losses in polishing of fiber connectors were investigated using a commercial fiber-connector polishing machine. Significant differences in geometrical and optical qualities were found among the suspensions investigated. The results indicate that a colloidal silica suspension of grit size of 50 nm gave a much better geometrical quality than conventionally used alcohol, consequently yielding a more attractive optical performance than the designated return loss of 45 dB and insertion loss of 0.3 dB.