Title :
Fused taper infrared optical fiber couplers in chalcogenide glass
Author :
Schaafsma, D.T. ; Moon, J.A. ; Sanghera, J.S. ; Aggarwal, I.D.
Author_Institution :
US Naval Res. Lab., Washington, DC, USA
fDate :
12/1/1997 12:00:00 AM
Abstract :
We have fabricated low loss, high coupling ratio bidirectional optical couplers for infrared light using multimode step-index chalcogenide fiber. Using a fusion technique similar to that commonly employed with silica fibers, we have found a temperature regime where fusion can occur while interdiffusion of the core and cladding materials will not. The resultant device has a roughly 3:1 coupling ratio, less than 0.3 dB of excess insertion loss, and preserves the guided modes of the fiber intact
Keywords :
chalcogenide glasses; chemical interdiffusion; optical fibre cladding; optical fibre couplers; optical fibre fabrication; optical fibre losses; optical glass; 0.3 dB; 3:1 coupling ratio; bidirectional optical couplers; chalcogenide glass; cladding materials; excess insertion loss; fused taper infrared optical fiber couplers; fusion technique; guided modes; high coupling ratio; infrared light; low loss; multimode step-index chalcogenide fiber; temperature regime; Glass; Optical coupling; Optical fiber communication; Optical fiber couplers; Optical fiber devices; Optical fiber losses; Optical surface waves; Silicon compounds; Surface treatment; Surface waves;
Journal_Title :
Lightwave Technology, Journal of
