CLAMPING METHOD FOR FUSION SPLICING OF MULTICORE-COATED OPTICAL FIBER

PURPOSE:To rationalize the process by attaching fixing tools to outside peripheral surface of end parts of multicore coated optical fibers and removing coating layers and cutting front end parts of respective optical fiber strands to an even length to eliminate the irregularity in length of front ends of optical fiber strands in the clamping state. CONSTITUTION:End parts of multicore coated optical fibers Fa and Fb are fitted into recessed grooves 19 of fixing tools 11, and base plates 12 and cover plates 13 are closed and held to attach fixing tools 11 to outside peripheral surfaces of end parts of multicore coated optical fibers Fa and Fb. Coating layers and optical fiber strands 1a-1e and 2a-2e in these layers are mutually bound, and coating layers are removed and front end parts of optical fiber strands 1a-1e and 2a-2e are cut to an even length. Consequently, front ends of optical fiber strands are cut to an even length in an about even state. Thereafter, end parts of multicore coated optical fibers Fa and Fb are placed on a mobile base together with fixing tools, and fixing tools 11 are detachably fixed to the mobile base, and thereby, front ends of optical fiber strands 1a-1e and 2a-2e are not irregular in length in the set state on the mobile base.