Next: INTRODUCTION
MECHANISM OF MOTION OF AN OPTICAL FIBER ALIGNED BY A SOLDER DROPLET
Adam Powell - James Warren - Christopher Bailey*
National
Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA
*University of Greenwich, Department of Computing and Mathematical Sciences,
London, UK
Abstract:
Solder is often used as an adhesive to attach optical fibers to a circuit
board. In this proceeding we will discuss efforts to model the motion of an
optical fiber during the wetting and solidification of the adhesive solder
droplet. The extent of motion is determined by several competing forces,
during three ``stages'' of solder joint formation. First, capillary forces of
the liquid phase control the fiber position. Second, during solidification, the
presence of the liquid-solid-vapor triple line as well as a reduced liquid
solder volume leads to a change in the net capillary force on the optical
fiber. Finally, the solidification front itself impinges on the fiber.
Publicly-available finite element models are used to calculate the
time-dependent position of the solidification front and shape of the free
surface.
Adam Clayton Powell IV
1998-06-08