Laser Processing of Next Generation Optical Fibre Interconnects

该项目将开发一种基于激光的改变游戏规则的方法原型，用于处理光纤连接器，以实现高速、低成本的光纤端接。互联网每年2倍的增长和高清视频的兴起意味着光纤将取代电缆，成为短距离传输数据的唯一可行方法。无论是在数据中心的数百万台服务器和交换机之间，还是在高清视频设备和电视之间。这就产生了对100亿根光纤电缆的需求，所有这些都需要光纤端接具有光学质量和一致的光洁度。当今行业使用的主要光纤端接技术包括使用低成本劳动力手动抛光光纤端部。这会产生不一致的结果，并且与自动化或所需的体积增加不兼容。OpTek先前开发了一种激光加工光纤的方法并获得专利，该方法用于高精度小体积利基应用，可以承受高成本。此外，OpTek内部开发了在低成本平台上实现所需质量的能力，作为概念验证项目的一部分。目前的项目将该平台转换为原型机器，以匹配这些大批量应用中所需的目标价格。这将基于之前概念验证阶段开发的创新激光和光学布置，与光纤终端所需的实际光学性能标准相匹配。原型将适合在英国制造，为OpTek和英国提供了一种参与和受益于从铜到光纤的转变所带来的千载难逢的机会的方式，否则只适合于低成本地区。

A Prototype of a game-changing laser-based method for processing optical fibre connectorsfor high-speed, low-cost termination of optical fibres will be developed within this project.The 2X annual growth of the internet and rise of ultrahigh definition video means fibre opticsis taking over from electrical cables as the only viable method of moving data even shortdistances, whether that is between the millions of servers and switches in a data centre orbetween high-definition video equipment and the television. This is creating a demand for 10billion fibre optic cables, all of which need the ends of the optical fibre to be terminated withan optical quality and consistent finish.The dominant optical fibre termination technology used by industry today involves manuallypolishing the fibre end using low cost labour. This produces inconsistent results and is notcompatible with automation or with the step-up in volume required.OpTek have previously developed and patented a method of laser processing fibres that isused in high-precision low-volume niche applications that can tolerate high cost. Additionally,OpTek has internally developed the capability to achieve the required quality in a lower-costplatform as part of a Proof-of-Concept project.The present project translates this platform into a Prototype machine to match the target pricesdemanded in these high-volume applications. This will be based on the innovative laser andoptical arrangements developed in the previous Proof-of-Concept stage, matched to the actualoptical performance criteria required of the optical fibre terminations.The Prototype will be suitable for manufacture in the UK, providing a way for OpTek and theUK to participate and benefit from the once in a lifetime opportunity driven by the shift formcopper to fibre which would otherwise only be appropriate to low-cost-base geographies.