The quality and attenuation of a mechanical splice depend on which preparation tool?

The quality and attenuation of a mechanical splice are significantly influenced by the cleave tool because it is responsible for ensuring that the optical fibers are cut at the proper angle and to the appropriate length. A clean and precise cleave is essential for the fibers to come into direct contact with one another, allowing for optimal light transmission. If the cleave is not performed correctly, it can lead to increased splice loss and degraded performance as the light traveling through the fibers may scatter or emit poorly due to misalignment or insufficient surface area contacting each other.

In contrast, while other tools like inspection microscopes are used to check splice quality and identify issues, they do not affect the splice itself. Fusion splicers create an entirely different type of splice that relies on the fusion of fibers rather than mechanical contact; thus, they are not applicable in this context. Splice trays are used to organize and protect the splices but do not influence the intrinsic quality of the splice itself. Therefore, the cleave tool's precision is crucial for a mechanical splice's integrity and performance.