Title :
4 x 16 polymer fiber optical array couplers
Author :
Li, Yao ; Wang, Ting ; Fasanella, K.
Author_Institution :
Div. of Phys. Sci., NEC Res. Inst., Princeton, NJ, USA
Abstract :
A 4/spl times/16 plastic array coupler for power splitting in large-core polymer optical fibers is proposed and fabricated. Maximum coupling efficiencies of up to 84.7% and 91.4% were observed using, respectively, the total internal reflection type and metal coating type micromirrors formed along polymer fibers of 1.0-mm core diameter and 0.485 numerical aperture. The coupling uniformity for the two cases were 86% and 74%, respectively. The coupling efficiency and its relation to misalignments are studied.
Keywords :
arrays; mirrors; optical fibre couplers; optical fibre fabrication; optical polymers; plastics; 1 mm; 4/spl times/16 plastic array coupler; 4/spl times/16 polymer fiber optical array couplers; 84.7 percent; 91.4 percent; coupling efficiency; coupling uniformity; large-core polymer optical fibers; maximum coupling efficiencies; metal coating type micromirrors; misalignments; mm core diameter; numerical aperture; optical fiber fabrication; power splitting; total internal reflection type; Apertures; Coatings; Micromirrors; Optical arrays; Optical fiber couplers; Optical fibers; Optical polymers; Optical reflection; Plastics; Polymer films;
Journal_Title :
Photonics Technology Letters, IEEE
