This set of Optical Communications Multiple Choice Questions & Answers (MCQs) focuses on “Fiber Splices”.
1. A permanent joint formed between two different optical fibers in the field is known as a ____________
a) Fiber splice
b) Fiber connector
c) Fiber attenuator
d) Fiber dispersion
View Answer
Explanation: The jointing of two individual fibers is called as fiber splicing. It is used to establish long-haul optical fiber links by joining two small length fibers.
2. How many types of fiber splices are available?
a) One
b) Two
c) Three
d) Four
View Answer
Explanation: Splices are divided into two types depending upon the splicing technique used. These are fusion splicing (welding) and mechanical splicing.
3. The insertion losses of the fiber splices are much less than the Fresnel reflection loss at a butted fiber joint.
a) True
b) False
View Answer
Explanation: The Fresnel reflection loss is usually more because there is no large step change in refractive index with the fusion splice as it forms a continuous fiber connection. Also, some method of index matching tends to be utilized with mechanical splices.
4. What is the main requirement with the fibers that are intended for splicing?
a) Smooth and oval end faces
b) Smooth and square end faces
c) Rough edge faces
d) Large core diameter
View Answer
Explanation: A curved mandrel is used which cleaves the fiber to achieve end preparation. The edges must be smooth and have square face at the end for splicing purpose.
5. In score and break process, which of the following is not used as a cutting tool?
a) Diamond
b) Sapphire
c) Tungsten carbide
d) Copper
View Answer
Explanation: The score and break process is also called as scribe and break. It involves the scribing of the fiber surface under tension with a cutting tool. Copper is not used as a cutting tool.
6. The heating of the two prepared fiber ends to their fusing point with the application of required axial pressure between the two optical fibers is called as ____________
a) Mechanical splicing
b) Fusion splicing
c) Melting
d) Diffusion
View Answer
Explanation: Fusion splicing is also called as welding. It refers to the welding of two fiber ends. It is essential for fusion splicing that the fiber ends are adequately positioned and aligned in order to achieve good continuity of the transmission medium at the junction point.
7. Which of the following is not used as a flame heating source in fusion splicing?
a) Microprocessor torches
b) Ox hydric burners
c) Electric arc
d) Gas burner
View Answer
Explanation: Micro-plasma torches uses argon and hydrogen and alcohol vapor. The most widely used heating source is an electric arc. Thus, gas burner is not used in fusion splicing.
8. The rounding of the fiber ends with a low energy discharge before pressing the fibers together and fusing with a stronger arc is called as ____________
a) Pre-fusion
b) Diffusion
c) Crystallization
d) Alignment
View Answer
Explanation: Pre-fusion involves rounding of fiber ends. It removes the requirement for fiber end preparation which has a distinct advantage in the field environment. It is utilized with multimode fibers giving average splice losses of 0.09dB.
9. _____________ is caused by surface tension effects between the two fiber ends during fusing.
a) Pre-fusion
b) Diffusion
c) Self-alignment
d) Splicing
View Answer
Explanation: The two fiber ends are close but not aligned before fusion. During fusion, the surface tension affects the fiber ends to get aligned. After fusion, they are aligned in such a way that a transmission medium can get a good continuity.
10. Average insertion losses as low as _________ have been obtained with multimode graded index and single-mode fibers using ceramic capillaries.
a) 0.1 dB
b) 0.5 dB
c) 0.02 dB
d) 0.3 dB
View Answer
Explanation: Mechanical techniques for splicing involve the use of an accurately produced rigid tube in which fiber ends are permanently bonded. It utilizes a ceramic capillary in which an epoxy resin is injected through a transverse bore to provide mechanical sealing and index matching. This technique which uses ceramic capillaries provides insertion losses as low as 0.1dB.
11. _____________ are formed by sandwiching the butted fiber ends between a V-groove glass substrate and a flat glass retainer plate.
a) Springroove splices
b) V-groove splices
c) Elastic splices
d) Fusion splices
View Answer
Explanation: In V-groove splices, a V-groove glass substrate is used with a flat glass plate. The name V-groove suggests that the fiber ends are spliced in a V-shape.
These splices provide losses as low as 0.01dB.
12. Mean splice insertion losses of 0.05 dB are obtained using multimode graded index fibers with the Springroove splice.
a) True
b) False
View Answer
Explanation: Springroove utilizes a bracket containing two cylindrical pins which act as alignment guide for two fiber ends. An elastic element is used to press the fibers into a groove. The assembly is secured with a drop of epoxy resin. It provides a loss of 0.05 dB and has found a practical use in Italy.
13. Alignment accuracy of the order ___________ is obtained using the three glass rod alignment sleeve.
a) 0.23 μm
b) 0.15 μm
c) 0.05 μm
d) 0.01 μm
View Answer
Explanation: Alignment accuracies as high as 0.05 μmare necessary to obtain low losses. The mode-field diameter for single-mode fiber is in the range 8 to 10μm. The three glass rod alignment provides higher accuracies than rotary splice sleeve.
14. In case of multiple fusion, splice losses using an electric arc fusion device with multimode graded index fiber range from ____________
a) 0.01 to 0.04 dB
b) 0.19 to 0.25 dB
c) 0.12 to 0.15 dB
d) 0.04 to 0.12 dB
View Answer
Explanation: In multiple fusions, an electric arc fusing device allows splicing of 12 fibers simultaneously. It takes a tool time of 6 minutes, which requires only 30 seconds per splice. The splice losses for single mode fiber are of 0.04 dB as maximum whereas for graded index fibers, losses are up to 0.12dB.
Sanfoundry Global Education & Learning Series – Optical Communications.
To practice all areas of Optical Communications, here is complete set of 1000+ Multiple Choice Questions and Answers.