Tutorials
How to cleave a fluoride fiber
Please note that because they are softer than silica, fluoride glass optical fibers are not compatible with standard cleaver devices.
How to cleave a fluoride fiber by hand :
This video shows how to cleave optical fibers by hand with a blade.
How to cleave a fluoride fiber with specialty cleaver device :
Several companies provide high precision cleaver devices compatible with soft glass.
For example : LDC401, LDC401A (Vytran series)
In order to use those cleaver devices, you will first have to strip fibers.
- Fluoride fibers: coated with polyacrylate, LVF stripping gel as described here can be used.
- Germanate fibers: coated with polyimide + hytrel, stripping gel cannot be used and another solution has to be prepared (ask us for information).
Most of cleaving devices are based on the tension-and-scribe process. You will find in the table below the tension range you should apply, depending on fiber cladding diameter, in order to get a flat and perpendicular cleave.
