Method of attaching an optical fiber to a flexure

1. Method of affixing by soldering an optical fiber to a flexure platform, comprising:

pre-treating a flexure platform to be solder ready;

stripping away any polymeric coating present off the optical fiber at an end length area required for soldering;

metalizing the stripped end length area of the optical fiber to form a metalized optical fiber;

placing the metalized optical fiber so that a metalized layer thereof is in engagement with the pre-treated flexure platform;

moving an induction coil in place adjacent the engaged flexure platform and optical fiber;

energizing the induction coil to melt the mating solder areas of the pre-treated flexure platform and metalized optical fiber so as to create a solder bond therebetween;

de-energizing the induction coil; and

removing the soldered combination of optical fiber and flexure platform.

2. The method of claim 1 , and the pre-treating of the flexure platform comprises one of pre-tinning the flexure platform with solder, and placing a solder preform onto the flexure platform.

3. The method of claim 1 , and the step of metalizing the stripped end length area of the optical fiber further comprising:

coating the stripped area of the optical fiber for soldering with an adhesion layer;

coating the optical fiber's stripped area yet further with a solderable layer; and

coating the optical fiber's stripped area yet further with a protective layer.

4. The method of claim 3 , and pre-tinning the metalized optical fiber at the area to be soldered.

5. The method of claim 3 , and in coating the stripped area of the glass fiber for soldering with the adhesion layer, the adhesion layer is formed of one of Titanium-Tungsten and Chromium-Gold, chrome, and Nickel-Chromium.

6. The method of claim 3 , and in coating the stripped area of the glass fiber for soldering with the adhesion layer, a solderable layer is formed of one of Nickel and Platinum.

7. The method of claim 3 , and in coating the stripped area of the glass fiber for soldering with the adhesion layer, a protective layer is formed of Gold.

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising, after pre-treating the flexure platform, placing the pre-treated flexure platform in a holding fixture with the pre-treated surface thereof facing outwardly for engagement with the metalized layer of the melting optical fiber.

9. The method of claim 8 , and the placing of the metalized optical fiber comprises clamping the metalized optical fiber against the flexure platform so that the metalized area engages the pre-treated portion of the flexure platform.

10. The method of claim 1 , and the stripping away any polymeric coating present off the optical fiber at the end length area, the end length in a range of approximately 14 to 18 millimeters.

11. Method of non-contact induction soldering of optical fiber having a polymeric coating surrounding a glass interior to a flexure, comprising:

pre-treating the flexure to be solder-ready;

stripping away the polymeric coating from an end of the optical fiber to expose the glass interior, the glass interior including a secondary glass cover layer surrounding a central core glass strand;

pre-treating the exposed glass interior of the optical fiber by metalizing the exposed glass interior to form a metalized optical fiber;

engaging the pre-treated end of the metalized optical fiber to the pre-treated flexure at a location to be soldered; and

subjecting the engaged metalized optical fiber and flexure to induction energy sufficient to create a solder joint therebetween.

12. The method of claim 11 , and in subjecting the engaged fiber and flexure to induction energy, the induction energy is localized relative to the location to be soldered.

13. The method of claim 11 , and in pre-treating the flexure to be solder-ready, the pre-treating of the flexure includes pre-tinning the flexure.

14. The method of claim 11 , and in pre-treating the flexure to be solder-ready, the pre-treating of the flexure includes installing a solder preform onto the flexure.

15. The method of claim 11 , and the engaging of the fiber to the flexure comprises fixturing the flexure to present the pre-treated area outwardly, and clamping the fiber with metalized area of the fiber in direct engagement with the pre-treated area of the flexure.

16. The method of claim 11 , and the subjecting to induction energy comprises locating an induction soldering coil proximate the engaged fiber and flexure, and energizing and de-energizing the coil to achieve the solder joint.

17. The method of claim 11 , wherein the step of pretreating the exposed glass interior of the optical fiber further comprises:

applying an adhesion layer to the exposed glass interior of the optical fiber;

applying a solderable layer over the adhesion layer; and

applying a protective layer over the solderable layer.

18. The method of claim 11 , wherein the step of pretreating the exposed glass interior of the optical fiber further comprises pre-tinning the exposed glass interior of the optical fiber.

19. The method of claim 11 , and the stripping away the polymeric coating from the end of the optical fiber to a length in a range of approximately 14 to 18 millimeters.

20. Method of soldering an optical fiber having a polymeric coating to a flexure having a channel provided along an upper surface thereof, composing:

identifying an end of the optical fiber that is to be soldered;

stripping away the polymeric coating from the end of the optical fiber;

metalizing the stripped end of the optical fiber

pre-tinning the channel of the flexure;

aligning with the channel of the flexure the stripped end of the optical fiber that is to be soldered;

clamping the stripped end of the optical fiber that is to be soldered in place over the pre-tinned channel of the flexure, the stripped end of the optical fiber engaging the pre-tinned channel of the flexure;

orienting a source of induction energy in proximity to the aligned flexure and the area of the optical fiber that is to be soldered; and

activating the source of induction energy.

21. The method of claim 20 , and the pre-tinning of the channel of the flexure, comprises pre-tinning with a layer of 80/20 solder.

22. The method of claim 20 , and activating the induction coil for a period in a range of approximately 5 to 9 seconds.

23. The method of claim 22 , the activating the induction coil for a period of approximately 7½ seconds.

24. The method of claim 20 , and clamping the area of the optical fiber that is to be soldered over the pre-tinned channel of the flexure comprises using a plurality of non-conductive holder pins pressed against the optical fiber.

25. The method of claim 20 , and the stripping away the polymeric coating from the end of the optical fiber to a length in a range of approximately 14 to 18 millimeters.