Hydrogel Assisted Optical Fiber Attachment in a Connector

A method has been developed for securing an optical fiber in a quartz connector by using sodium polysilicate hydrogel formed in a cylindrical gap between a connector and an optical fiber by means of alkaline decomposition of the quartz surfaces of manufactured components. The conditions for the thermal decomposition of hydrogel are determined, and it is shown that hydrogel decomposition with cellular structure formation is possible at temperatures below the thermal decomposition temperature of the polymer coating of the optical fiber. The hydrogel formation conditions and the thermal properties of the hydrogel are determined. Conclusions regarding the suitability of the proposed method for securing an optical fiber in a quartz connector are drawn.