Path: utzoo!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!usc!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!swrinde!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!pacific.mps.ohio-state.edu!linac!att!cbnewsj!cbnewsi!sherwin
From: sherwin@cbnewsi.att.com (behzad.shahraray)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Re: Optical interconnects
Message-ID: <1991Mar8.163308.2113@cbnewsi.att.com>
Date: 8 Mar 91 16:33:08 GMT
References: <782@spim.mips.COM>
Distribution: usa
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories
Lines: 33

In article <782@spim.mips.COM> reddy@mips.com (T.S. Reddy) writes:
>
>    Has anyone tried to make their own fiber optic interconnects? From
>what I know, the optical input/output receptacles on audio/video products
>for most brands are similar, so I would think that standardized parts for
>fashioning such a beastie would be available. I am not familiar with
>the techniques involved in cutting/splicing fiber optic cables, but
>if anyone could enlighten me, I would be grateful.
>
>Thanks in advance.
>-- 
>T.S.Reddy
>e-mail: reddy@mips.com

There are several types of connectors that can be used on an optical
fiber. Some involve the use of index matching gels at the interface
to minimize the loss. The type of connectors that are used in audio
are different and in order to minimize the loss the surface of the 
fiber has to be ground and polished. In the process on cutting, grinding
and polishing the fiber several things can go wrong and you can endup with
chips, scratches or cracks in the fiber. So you need to inspect the fiber
end under high magnification (microscope) to check for these defects
(I worked on computer vision algorithms to perform the inspection task
for a couple of  years).
In short, making your  own interconnects is not impossible if you
have the tools, but it is much harder than making your own
electrical interconnects.

----------------------------
Behzad Shahraray
Machine Perception Research Dept.
AT&T Bell Labs.
behzad@vax135.att.com