Changes

The joint between the SciFI and the light guide is one of the most critical points in the construction of the tagger microscope. Prior attempts to glue this joint with epoxy proved to be mechanically unreliable. A splicing unit has been procured from MSU and retrofitted for use with square fibers. Special order glass ferrules are used to maintain the fibers' shape while the union between the SciFi and light guide are heated to melting point.

The joint between the SciFI and the light guide is one of the most critical points in the construction of the tagger microscope. Prior attempts to glue this joint with epoxy proved to be mechanically unreliable. A splicing unit has been procured from MSU and retrofitted for use with square fibers. Special order glass ferrules are used to maintain the fibers' shape while the union between the SciFi and light guide are heated to melting point.

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* Inspect the splicing unit: Check at the top sliding collar and compression block move smoothly and unencumbered. Check for cracks in the glass ferrules and ensure they are clean. Verify all peripheral equipment is in working order. Note any discrepancies to the lead technician prior to proceeding with the fusing process.

* Inspect the splicing unit: Check that the top sliding collar and compression block move smoothly and unencumbered. Check for cracks in the glass ferrules and ensure they are clean. Verify all peripheral equipment is in working order. Note any discrepancies to the lead technician prior to proceeding with the fusing process.

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[[File:splicing pressure gauges.JPG|thumb|center|The left gauge displays pressure applied horizontally at the fuse site, and the right one displays the vertical pressure holding the ferrules clamped together.]]

[[File:splicing pressure gauges.JPG|thumb|center|The left gauge displays pressure applied horizontally at the fuse site, and the right one displays the vertical pressure holding the ferrules clamped together.]]

*Before fusing, measure and record the cross-sections of both the SciFi and the light guide about to be fused. The SciFi's cross-sectional measurements should be taken at the center of the fiber, and the light guides measurements should be taken at the non-polished end. Also measure the SciFi's length using a  caliper and record along with the cross-sectional measurements.

*Before fusing, measure and record the cross-sections of both the SciFi and the light guide about to be fused. The SciFi's cross-sectional measurements should be taken at the center of the fiber, and the light guides measurements should be taken at the non-polished end. Also measure the SciFi's length using a  caliper and record along with the cross-sectional measurements. These measurements should be recorded in the [https://docs.google.com/a/uconn.edu/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Au8hObtMJhV3dG9YTDduLVRuc01lRWxtYVA1UE0yWmc&usp=drive_web#gid=0 Fusing Statistics Google Doc].

* With the splicing collars open, place a clean, straight, cut SciFi in the bottom glass ferrule. Make sure that the polished end of the SciFi is not the end about to be fused. Also ensure that the fiber is butted up against the collar stop on the right-hand side and that the fiber is oriented so that its sides lie flat against the sides of the glass ferrule.  

* With the splicing collars open, place a clean, straight, cut SciFi in the bottom glass ferrule. Make sure that the polished end of the SciFi is not the end about to be fused. Also ensure that the fiber is butted up against the collar stop on the right-hand side and that the fiber is oriented so that its sides lie flat against the sides of the glass ferrule.  

[[File:splicing gasket clamp check.JPG|thumb|center|The properly seated lightguide to look for. Note that the clamp will not slide to the right as shown until the lamp comes on, so only check for the seating of the LG before lowering the protective screen.]]

[[File:splicing gasket clamp check.JPG|thumb|center|The properly seated lightguide to look for. Note that the clamp will not slide to the right as shown until the lamp comes on, so only check for the seating of the LG before lowering the protective screen.]]

* In the few seconds between when the collars clamp together and the light turns on, check the following: 1) Ensure that the ferrules have clamped properly and the fibers are positioned in the correct orientation. 2.) Check again that the pressure gauges are at the appropriate pressures. 3.) Turn down the protective light shield. If there are any problems with this step, hit the "STOP" button to stop the fusing process.

* In the few seconds between when the collars clamp together and the light turns on, check the following:

**Ensure that the ferrules have clamped properly and the fibers are positioned in the correct orientation.

**Check again that the pressure gauges are at the appropriate pressures.

**Turn down the protective light shield. If there are any problems with this step, hit the "STOP" button to stop the fusing process.

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| [[File:splicing fuse lip.JPG|thumb|upright|Check the fuse site for small imperfections like this.]]

| [[File:splicing fuse lip.JPG|thumb|upright|Check the fuse site for small imperfections like this.]]

| [[File:splicing fuse lip sanding.JPG|thumb|upright|If a lip has formed, sand it off, careful to only sand at at the corner to prevent damage to the optical cladding.]]

| [[File:splicing fuse lip sanding.JPG|thumb|upright|If a lip has formed, sand it off, careful to only sand at at the corner to prevent damage to the optical cladding.]]

| [[File:Fuse Site.jpg:|thumb|upright|A finished fuse between a SciFI and a Lightguide.]]

| [[File:Fuse Site.jpg|thumb|upright|A finished fuse between a SciFI and a Lightguide.]]

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* When a bundle is completed, turn off the fusing unit by turning the two power switches off. Underneath the fusing unit, decrease the pressure of the compressor and turn off the red switch which powers the compressor.

* When a bundle is completed, turn off the fusing unit by turning the two power switches off. Underneath the fusing unit, decrease the pressure of the compressor and turn off the red switch which powers the compressor.

* Once the compressor is back to atmospheric pressure, open the bottom valve above a container. Condensed water residue should leak out. This drains the compressor tank.