[Solid_ec] Fwd: Re: Fiber Fuser for GlueX

[Yi Qiang]

Hi Xiaochao,

Fusing fibers has become a very matured process for its simple setup, 
easy procedure and good performance. We used this technique to fabricate 
the GlueX's microscope hodoscope and fused short saqure 2x2mm2 
scintillator fibers with transparent long fibers. Forwarded are some 
information I got from my colleague at UConn who's building the 
microscope and hope they are useful to you. Let me know if you have any 
questions.

Cheers,
Yi

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: 	Re: Fiber Fuser
Date: 	Mon, 7 Apr 2014 13:29:03 -0400
From: 	James McIntyre <mcintyre.james.m at gmail.com>
To: 	Yi Qiang <yqiang at jlab.org>



Meant to attach these for you to reference.


On Mon, Apr 7, 2014 at 1:23 PM, James McIntyre 
<mcintyre.james.m at gmail.com <mailto:mcintyre.james.m at gmail.com>> wrote:

    Hi Yi,

    The fusing unit was made by Michigan State University (on loan from
    Ron Richards, I believe?). The unit wouldn't be too difficult to
    make (I think).  It's basically a couple of pneumatic pistons which
    automate the process and a projector bulb for a light source. The
    thing that cost the most is the quartz ferrules which help keep
    alignment and fiber shape during fusing.  If I recall correctly it
    was around $2k for 16 ferrule halves (8 complete sets). It will be
    much cheaper for round fibers.

    The fusing process if fairly easy, once the unit is setup.  We test
    every 10th fusing by fusing scrap fibers (shorter spare fibers)
    together and laying it on a two point support (supports separated by
    ~ 1 inch) and then hanging a weight at the fuse sight which is in
    the center of the two supports (see slide 5 of the attached
    PowerPoint). We ensure that it holds at least 800 grams.  At times
    we have increased the weight up to 1300 grams before breaking.  This
    is for a 2mm square fiber.

    Compared to gluing it is like night and day! We used BC-600 epoxy
    and often broke the fused joint just by light pressure or dropping
    it 3 to 4 inches on to a table (this would never happen to a fused
    fiber).  For smaller fiber, especially round ones, fusing is the
    best option!

    As for light loss ... we are still determining the numbers.  I'll
    get back to you on that.  But as far as visually, you cannot tell
    the difference.  One thing to note is that when gluing we found that
    there was much more light loss at the fuse/gluing sight than we have
    seen with the fused fibers.  The reason being is that when you glue,
    the epoxy manufacturer recommends a certain gap (glue thickness)
    between the fibers being glued, but fusing leaves no gap and keeps
    the cladding continuous along the outside (if fused properly) . 
    Shining a laser down through the fiber we noticed a significant
    amount of light loss at the gluing joint, especially if some of the
    glue had been sanded down because of overflow (often the case).

    What size fibers are you looking to fuse and are they round or
    square? Let me know if I can help in any way.

    Cheers,
    Jim


    On Mon, Apr 7, 2014 at 11:42 AM, Yi Qiang <yqiang at jlab.org
    <mailto:yqiang at jlab.org>> wrote:

        Hi James,

        We are evaluating different options to readout signals from the
        preshower for the SoLID Spectrometer. Fusing clear fibers with
        wave length shifting fibers seem very promising to us. So I was
        trying to find more information about the fuser you used for the
        microscope at UConn. The information is kind of scattered in
        different talks in DocDB, but I still couldn't find much details
        about your setup. Here are a few questions about the fusing setup:
        1. Is the fusing station home made? how much does that cost?
        2. What is the light lose in the fused joint? (compared to glue?)
        3. How strong is the joint?

        Thanks!
        Yi

        -- 
        *Yi Qiang* Ph.D. /Staff Scientist/
        *Email*: yqiang at jlab.org <mailto:yqiang at jlab.org>
        *Tel*: (757) 269-7237 <tel:%28757%29%20269-7237> *Fax*: (757)
        269-6331 <tel:%28757%29%20269-6331>
        *Web*: https://userweb.jlab.org/~yqiang
        <https://userweb.jlab.org/%7Eyqiang/>
        12000 Jefferson Ave F351, Newport News, VA 23606
        Jefferson Lab <http://www.jlab.org>





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