Optical fiber splice

An optical fiber splice element comprising a sheet of ductile material having a novel focus hinge defining first and second legs, each of the legs having a V-groove therein for receiving the optical fibers. The focus hinge, comprising a groove on one side of the sheet, a notch on the other side of the sheet aligned with the groove, and a convex hinge web, provides precise registration of the V-grooves when the sheet is folded; this in turn leads to improved alignment of the fibers. The V-grooves also have a novel angular geometry which optimizes the clamping forces, resulting in lower insertion loss. The interior angle of the V-grooves is smaller than the optimum angle whereby, when the fiber is clamped and portions of the V-groove surfaces are deformed, the V-groove has an effective angle which is approximately equal to the optimum angle.