Which termination method uses heat to secure the fiber optic connectors?

The termination method that uses heat to secure fiber optic connectors is fusion splice. This process involves the alignment of two optical fibers and then applying heat to melt the ends of the fibers. As the fibers are fused together, a continuous optical pathway is created, which significantly reduces loss compared to other methods.

Fusion splicing is particularly favored for its ability to maintain the integrity and performance of the optical fiber as there are no additional materials introduced at the splice point that may lead to signal degradation. It requires specialized equipment that can precisely control the heat and alignment of the fibers, making it a highly effective and reliable method for permanent fiber optic connections.

Other methods mentioned, such as mechanical splicing and field-termination, involve different techniques for joining fibers which do not rely on heat to achieve the connection. Mechanical splicing uses alignment fixtures and an index-matching gel to hold the fibers together, while field-termination usually involves adhesive or crimping techniques that do not incorporate heat. Temperature-setting is not recognized as a standard method in fiber optics and does not apply in this context.