The Fiber Connection Method Using a Tapered Silica Fiber Tip for Microstructured Polymer Optical Fibers

Abstract

Abstract:In this work, an alternative method of coupling light into microstructured polymer fibers is presented. The solution consists in using a fiber taper fabricated with a CO 2 laser. The connection is formed by inserting a tapered silica tip into the holes of a microstructured polymer fiber. This alternative method is duly characterized and the feasibility of such fiber connection to enable the polymer fiber as a displacement sensor is also demonstrated.

Realisation of a sub-wavelength dimple using a 193 nm wavelength photonic nano jet

“…Electromagnetic radiation in the form of light is confined spatially in the lateral direction and extends significantly along the beam propagation direction [14] [15]. Confinement of optical radiation has been observed not only in dielectric microspheres but also with optical fibres that have been re-shaped taking on the form of fibre tapers and spherical ball shapes at the distal end [16]. Fibre axicons [17,18] and other geometrical re-shaped fibres also serve as useful tools for focussing and spatially confining light.…”

“…The use of small dielectric spheres that are capable of forming tightly focussed needle-like light may open up novel biomedical and biophysical applications. In this respect PNJs emitted from microspheres suspended in fluids that attach to cells [9] and microspheres fused on optical fibres for delivery of light may become useful tools for cell membrane disruption [16]. It is therefore of interest to quantify and optimise tightly focussed PNJs.…”