Microengineered structures for rapid automatic loading of optical fibre segments

Abstract

We present a technique to rapidly and automatically produce sections of optical fibre and load them into arrays such that they can be nano-imprinted in parallel. The technique makes use of automated fibre feeding, cutting and alignment with microfabricated groove arrays. The system is analyzed and optimized and it is found that the geometry of the arrays themselves is a critical factor. Three types of array are investigated-simple grooves, grooves with lateral funnels at the input, and bulk silicon machined V-groove arrays with funnels in both lateral and vertical dimensions. It is found that the incorporation of funnels significantly increases the accuracy of loading, overcoming the need for precise alignment, such that a throughput nearing 1000 fibre segments an hour can be achieved. This system forms part of a sequence of novel processes for the production of nano-photonic sensors.

The Optical Fiber Tip: An Inherently Light‐Coupled Microscopic Platform for Micro‐ and Nanotechnologies

“…In addition to the assembly of completed components discussed above, the initial fiber preparation is a labour intensive and time consuming process. Preparation includes stripping, cleaving and loading of fibers into the patterning apparatus . Yablon makes note of a fully automated factory fusion splicer that can automatically strip, clean, cleave, fusion splice, proof test, package, and estimate splice loss, all in under two minutes .…”