Infrared Optical Fiber Coupler, Background of the Invention

An infrared fiber optic coupler and a method for making an infrared fiber optic coupler are disclosed. The method comprises the steps of braiding first and second infrared transmitting glass fibers to form first and second arms of the infrared fiber optic coupler inserting the braided first and second infrared transmitting glass fibers through a furnace securing the braided glass fibers by two clamping mechanisms on first and second sides of the furnace purging the furnace of water vapor and oxygen with steady flow of inert gas through the furnace allowing infrared light to pass through one of the first and second arms of the coupler detecting the infrared signals from the first and second arms of the coupler in first and second infrared detectors comparing the detected signals to develop a coupling ratio between the first and second arms of the coupler turning the furnace on to heat the first and second braided glass fibers to the point where the glass fibers begin to darken in color translating the second clamping mechanism to produce a tautness on the first and second braided glass fibers until the desired coupling ratio has been achieved turning the furnace off maintaining tension on the first and second braided glass fibers until the fibers cool to rigidity and turning off the gas flow.