No.1 share in the world

We made our world debut with our multimode fusion splicer. Then, we took the lead with our singlemode core direct-view fusion splicer. After a miraculous discovery and top-secret development, the famous machine "FSM-20" was born.

The early fusion splicers were for multimode Optcal Fiber with a thick core diameter (50μ) and were relatively easy to splice. The transition to single-mode L Optcal Fiber (core diameter 10μ or less) began in 1980, and this is when the real difficulties began.

The biggest challenge to overcome was the connection of the core. At first, they thought of using a phase-contrast microscope or a polarizing microscope to see the difference in refractive index to determine the "visible core," but both of these methods required large-scale equipment and were difficult to incorporate into the fusion splicer used at laying site, so they hit a major wall. Then, they received a call from the research laboratory of what was then the Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Public Corporation, who asked them to "use an ordinary microscope and see something that looks like Optcal Fiber core. Please take a look." At first, they exchanged "I can't see it," "I can definitely see it," "No, I can't see it." It was like astronomy, where it's hard to see something faint at first, but once you capture the object, it becomes clear. When they shifted the focus of the microscope a little, they could indeed see a vague shadow that seemed to be the core. They analyzed it and found that it was indeed a core. The laboratory was filled with excitement at the fact that an ordinary compact microscope could be incorporated into a fusion splicer.

They immediately created a prototype using this method and had it tested at the Marine Communications Laboratory, which concluded that "this can work!" This major discovery was the catalyst that led Fujikura to become the world's number one share holder today, and was the company's biggest breakthrough. Fujikura continued development in strict secrecy, and for about a year, dedicated researchers holed themselves up in the laboratory, working day and night on improvements and algorithm development. In February 1985, they succeeded in putting the technology into practical use as the "FSM-20," a direct-viewing core fusion splicer. This first year was a complete advantage for Fujikura, solidifying their position as an unrivaled leader.

Core direct viewing fusion splicer "FSM-20"