Publication result detail

Fusion Splicing Technique for Minimizing Insertion Loss and Back Reflection Between Single-Mode and Hollow-Core Fibers

BURIAN, R.; DEJDAR, P.; MÜNSTER, P.; HORVÁTH, T.

Original Title

Fusion Splicing Technique for Minimizing Insertion Loss and Back Reflection Between Single-Mode and Hollow-Core Fibers

English Title

Fusion Splicing Technique for Minimizing Insertion Loss and Back Reflection Between Single-Mode and Hollow-Core Fibers

Type

WoS Article

Original Abstract

This paper investigates optimized fusion splicing techniques for connecting single-mode fiber (SMF) and hollow-core fiber (HCF) with the aim of minimizing insertion loss and back-reflection. Several approaches were evaluated, including direct fusion splicing, fiber tapering, angled cleaving prior to fusion, and the insertion of a graded-index (GRIN) fiber. It was observed that conventional automatic fusion settings designed for SMF result in significant end-face deformation and high splice loss. By carefully adjusting arc power, discharge position, and fiber overlap, splice performance was substantially improved. Fiber tapering enhanced mode-field alignment but required precise and repeatable control. Angled cleaving effectively reduced back-reflection, albeit at the expense of increased insertion loss. The use of a GRIN fiber provided the most effective mode-field matching, achieving the lowest insertion loss and back-reflection among the tested methods. The results demonstrate that reliable SMF-HCF splicing is feasible, however, further optimization is required to ensure long-term robustness and reproducibility.

English abstract

This paper investigates optimized fusion splicing techniques for connecting single-mode fiber (SMF) and hollow-core fiber (HCF) with the aim of minimizing insertion loss and back-reflection. Several approaches were evaluated, including direct fusion splicing, fiber tapering, angled cleaving prior to fusion, and the insertion of a graded-index (GRIN) fiber. It was observed that conventional automatic fusion settings designed for SMF result in significant end-face deformation and high splice loss. By carefully adjusting arc power, discharge position, and fiber overlap, splice performance was substantially improved. Fiber tapering enhanced mode-field alignment but required precise and repeatable control. Angled cleaving effectively reduced back-reflection, albeit at the expense of increased insertion loss. The use of a GRIN fiber provided the most effective mode-field matching, achieving the lowest insertion loss and back-reflection among the tested methods. The results demonstrate that reliable SMF-HCF splicing is feasible, however, further optimization is required to ensure long-term robustness and reproducibility.

Keywords

Fiber splicing, hollow-core fibers, insertion loss

Key words in English

Fiber splicing, hollow-core fibers, insertion loss

Authors

BURIAN, R.; DEJDAR, P.; MÜNSTER, P.; HORVÁTH, T.

Released

19.02.2026

Publisher

Taylor & Francis

Periodical

FIBER AND INTEGRATED OPTICS

Volume

45

Number

2026

State

United States of America

Pages from

86

Pages to

104

Pages count

19

URL

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01468030.2026.2629781

BibTex

@article{BUT201666,
  author="{} and Radek {Burian} and  {} and Petr {Dejdar} and  {} and Petr {Münster} and  {} and Tomáš {Horváth}",
  title="Fusion Splicing Technique for Minimizing Insertion Loss and Back Reflection Between Single-Mode and Hollow-Core Fibers",
  journal="FIBER AND INTEGRATED OPTICS",
  year="2026",
  volume="45",
  number="2026",
  pages="86--104",
  doi="10.1080/01468030.2026.2629781",
  issn="0146-8030",
  url="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01468030.2026.2629781"
}