Novel manufacturing method of optical fiber coupler

Abstract

Based on the coupling mode theory that the coupling ratio of fiber coupler changes periodically with center distance of two optical fibers, a novel manufacturing method of optical fiber couplers was developed with fused biconical taper experimental system. Its fabrication process is that the fiber is fused but not stretched when light begins to split, and the reduction of diameter of fiber is dependent on the rheological characteristic of the fused fiber-glass. The performance of the coupler was tested. The results show that the performance of the novel optical fiber coupler meets the performance expectations, and its diameter of coupling region (about 30 µm) is twice as long as that of classical fused biconical taper coupler (about 16 µm), so the default, that is, the device is easy to fracture, is restrained and the reliability is greatly improved.

Keywords

optical fiber coupler / coupling ratio / performance testing

References

[1] PalB P, ChaudhuriP R, ShenoyM R. Fabrication and modeling of fused biconical tapered fiber couplers [J]. Fiber and Integrated Optics, 2003, 22(2): 97-117

[2] YangWei. Technological advance and trend of optical passive devices [J]. Broad Band in the World, 2003, 8(3): 38-40(in Chinese)

[3] YangYuan-hong, WuDi, JiangXin-liu. Experimental study on fused fiber coupler[C]. Proceedings of SPIE, 2001, Bellingham, The International Society for Optical Engineering

[4] SalazarD, FelixM A, JessicaA V. Fused fiber optics couplers[C]. Proceedings of SPIE, 2001, Bellingham, The International Society for Optical Engineering

[5] DiauovE M. The differ condition influence in the process drawing fiber from prefabricate stick[J]. Glass Tech, 1998, 29(6): 123-129

[6] HsuC M, SuC T, LiaoD. A novel approach for optimizing the optical performance of the broadband tap coupler[J]. International Journal of Systems Science, 2003, 34(3): 215-226

[7] ShuaiCi-jun, DuanJi-an, MiaoJian-yu. Thermal analysis of fused biconical taper in the process of optical fibre coupler pre-drawing[J]. Journal of Central South University: Science and Technology, 2004, 35(4): 618-621(in Chinese)

[8] ShuaiCi-jun, DuanJi-an, ZhongJue. Technical sensitiveness in the rheological manufacture progress of fused taper coupler[J]. Optics and Precision Engineering, 2005, 13(1): 40-46(in Chinese)

[9] HsiehC S, WuT L, ChengW H. Optimum approach for fabrication of low loss fused fiber couplers[J]. Materials Chemistry and Physics, 2001, 69(1): 199-203

[10] FengDa, LiZheng, TangDan. Model of 2 × 2 fused single-mode-fiber couplers[J]. Acta Photonica Sinica, 2003, 32(11): 1316-1320(in Chinese)

[11] SakaiM, ShimizuS. Indentation rheometry for glass-forming materials[J]. Journal of Non-Crystalline Solids, 2001, 282(1): 236-247

[12] DoremusR H. Melt viscosities of silicate glasses[J]. American Ceramic Society, 2003, 202(3): 105-110

[13] SakaguchiS, TodorokiS. Viscosity of silica core optical fiber [J]. Journal of Non-Crystalline Solids, 1999, 244(2): 232-237

[14] PoneE, DaxheletX, LacroixS. Refractive index profile of fused — tapered fiber couplers[J]. Optics Express, 2004, 12(13): 2909-2918

[15] RoychaudhuriP, ShenoyM R, PalB P. Flame-fused optical fiber directional couplers: Fabrication and automated process control[J]. IETE Journal of Research, 1997, 43(6): 433-438

[16] NagataH S. Chemical properties of fused fiber coupler[J]. Surface Optical Fiber Technology, 2000, 6(3): 324-328

[17] HuangY, YuY. Fused fiber products without a fused biconical taper[C]. Conference on Optical Fiber Communication, 2002, Anahein, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc

[18] GovindP ANonlinear fiber optics and applications of nonlinear fiber optics [M], 2002, Beijing, Electronics Industry Press(in Chinese)