Plastic optical fiber coupler for next generation “do it yourself” optical component

Next generation optical components based on “do-it yourself” optical device concept is presented. The proposed optical component is based on a simple 1×2 Y-branch plastic optical fiber (POF) coupler. The device is composed of three sections: an input POF waveguide, an intermediate hollow waveguide taper region and output POF waveguides. Non-sequential ray tracing has been performed on Y-branch coupler which shows the device works as a 3dB coupler. The 3 dB 1×2 Y-branch POF coupler constructed using metal structure and POF fibers, allow end-user to assemble the final device easily. The POF coupler has an average insertion loss of 7.1 dB, excess loss of 4.1 dB and a good coupling ratio of 50:50.