Excimer laser machining of optical fiber taps

Richard J. Coyle; Anthony J. Serafino; Gary J. Grimes; James Robert Bortolini

doi:10.1117/12.43642

1 May 1991 Excimer laser machining of optical fiber taps

Richard J. Coyle, Anthony J. Serafino, Gary J. Grimes, James Robert Bortolini

Proceedings Volume 1412, Gas and Metal Vapor Lasers and Applications; (1991) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.43642
Event: Optics, Electro-Optics, and Laser Applications in Science and Engineering, 1991, Los Angeles, CA, United States

Abstract

Precision openings for construction of an optical backplane have been machined in an optical fiber using an excimer laser operating at a wavelength of 193 nm. The openings were made by imaging the laser beam onto the polymer fiber cladding with a telescope, then ablating the cladding with a sufficient number of pulses to expose the core. Circular openings measuring 250 and 625 microns and elliptical openings measuring 650 X 350 microns have been made in the cladding of a 1 mm polymer-clad silica fiber. Examination by scanning electron microscopy reveals that the best quality openings are obtained with either the smaller circular geometry or the elliptical geometry. For various reasons, elliptical openings, with the major axis oriented along the longitudinal axis of the fiber, appear more suitable for tap construction. Individual optical fiber taps have been constructed by attaching a tap fiber to a laser machined opening in a central fiber using an ultraviolet-curable acralate. Individual tap measurements were made on the elliptical and the 250 micron circular openings. In addition, a triple tap assembly was made using elliptical tap openings. These results indicate that the excimer laser machining technique may be applicable to the construction of a linear tapped bus for optical backplanes.

Citation Download Citation

Richard J. Coyle, Anthony J. Serafino, Gary J. Grimes, and James Robert Bortolini "Excimer laser machining of optical fiber taps", Proc. SPIE 1412, Gas and Metal Vapor Lasers and Applications, (1 May 1991); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.43642

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available