Fabrication and characterization of metallized fiber microlenses for optoelectronic packaging

Optoelectronic packaging issues, such as efficient and durable coupling between singlemode fibers and semiconductor devices, are responsible for most of the overall cost of optoelectronic devices. In this paper we describe optimized fabrication and testing processes of a variety of high-coupling efficiency and high reliability microlensed and metallized fibers with different tip profiles, developed in our laboratory. Emphasis has been taken on process optimization, including time and efficiency, for metallized lensed fiber production techniques developed for high reliability hermetic metallic packaging solutions. The processes developed here may further contribute to the cost-effective production of optical and optoelectronic components.