A review of biconical taper couplers

Abstract

An optical coupler distributes light from a main fiber to one or more branch fibers. Optical signals can also be passed bidirectionally along a single fiber [1]. Usually couplers are passive devices which are attached to other components in a system by means of optical fiber connectors, or may be joined to them by splicing. Several basic coupler designs have been discussed in the literature, each having some advantages and disadvantages. The biconical taper coupler [2] consists of two fibers that are fused and subsequently tapered. These fibers may have step or graded index profiles. Beam-splitter types [3] (consisting of discrete components) are generally expensive. Mixing rods are simple and can be ruggedly constructed, but an extra 3dB loss above packing fraction loss is incurred when used with graded index fibers [4].     

Fiber devices using polarization- maintaining fibers

Fiber devices using polarization-maintaining fibers called PANDA fibers are presented. They are polarization-maintaining couplers and polarization-splitting couplers, optical isolators and optical circulators, and multi/demultiplexers designed for 1.3 μm wavelength. Crosstalk of-32 dB and excess loss of 0.03 dB for the polarization-maintaining coupler, and polarization-splitting ratio of 17 dB and excess loss of 0.5 dB for the polarization-splitting coupler have been fabricated by a fusion-elongation method. A fiber polarizer with the extinction ratio of more than 40 dB has been presented by using the difference of bending loss between the orthogonal modes in the PANDA fibers. Multi/demultiplexer with narrow band-pass of 1.4 nm utilizing combination of PANDA fiber polarization dispersion and the polarization-splitting coupler has been realized. An optical isolator consisting of fiber polarizers and a spherical YIG with a lens function and an optical circulator consisting of polarizing-splitting couplers and spherical YIGs have been achieved.     

Fiber devices using polarization- maintaining fibers

Fiber devices using polarization-maintaining fibers called PANDA fibers are presented. They are polarization-maintaining couplers and polarization-splitting couplers, optical isolators and optical circulators, and multi/demultiplexers designed for 1.3 μm wavelength. Crosstalk of-32 dB and excess loss of 0.03 dB for the polarization-maintaining coupler, and polarization-splitting ratio of 17 dB and excess loss of 0.5 dB for the polarization-splitting coupler have been fabricated by a fusion-elongation method. A fiber polarizer with the extinction ratio of more than 40 dB has been presented by using the difference of bending loss between the orthogonal modes in the PANDA fibers. Multi/demultiplexer with narrow band-pass of 1.4 nm utilizing combination of PANDA fiber polarization dispersion and the polarization-splitting coupler has been realized. An optical isolator consisting of fiber polarizers and a spherical YIG with a lens function and an optical circulator consisting of polarizing-splitting couplers and spherical YIGs have been achieved.     

Automatic determination of refractive index profile of fibers having regular and/or irregular transverse sections considering the refraction of light rays by the fiber

A new model, using non-destructive two- and/or multiple-beam interferometric techniques, is suggested for measuring the refractive index profile of fibers having regular and/or irregular cross-sectional shape taking into consideration the refraction of the light rays by the fiber. The proposed model is applied for three different fibers having different cross-sectional shapes and different refractive index profiles. These fibers are PPT, homogeneous fiber, with circular cross-section, graded index optical fiber of circular cross-sectional shape and Dralon fiber of irregular cross-section. To validate the proposed model it is used, firstly, to calculate the index profile for a standard PPT fiber. Secondly, the calculated results for the irregular Dralon fiber and GR-IN optical fiber are compared with that calculated using other conventional method. From this comparison, we recommend that the refraction must be taken into account to obtain accurate results especially for birefringent fibers and graded index optical fibers.     

一种新型全光纤速度干涉仪

 基于传统速度干涉仪(VISAR)和光纤速度干涉仪(AFVISAR)的特点，提出了一种由光纤和光纤耦合器组成的工作波长为532 nm的新型全光纤速度干涉仪（NAFVISAR）。该干涉仪采用多模光纤器件构成分离系统,单模光纤器件组成核心部分。由于有两路携带不同信息的光束经不同路径传输到耦合器中，当这两路光束满足干涉条件时，可利用它们的干涉场信息来调解出被测靶的信息，从而区分波面的加减速变化。用该系统进行了Hopkinson森杆一维应力加载下的入射杆端面的速度剖面测试，实测速度最大值为49.36 m/s，与理论速度的最大值50.16 m/s基本符合，实现了全光纤速度干涉仪的实用化。     

新型缓变锥型PCF结构接口耦合损耗特性

提出一种新型的缓变锥型光纤接口器件。该接口器件是一个长度为150mm左右的缓变锥型光子晶体光纤。利用有限元方法对模场直径差别较大的不同光纤进行拼接时的损耗问题进行研究。研究结果表明:在模场直径分别为9μm和10.4μm的光纤之间加入锥型光纤后可以有效降低耦合损耗,并且在不同波长下耦合损耗都维持在一个较低水平。因此,该接口器件能够实现光纤拼接时物理结构的过渡和不同模场直径的转换,从而使拼接损耗降到最低。     

Characteristics of pure silica core single-mode fiber

Single-mode fibers with low attenuation and sufficient reliability are especially important for long-span optical transmission systems. Conventionally, GeO₂ has been added to the fiber core region in order to make a refractive index difference between the core and cladding. However, the addition of GeO₂ increases Rayleigh scattering loss [1], and deteriorates the chemical stability against hydrogen atmosphere and γ-ray irradiation to bring about an increase in attenuation. [2][3] Therefore, pure silica core single-mode fiber was considered to be an ideal type of fiber, and it was succeeded in being fabricated by utilizing fluorine containing SiO₂ cladding.     

Optimum structural parameters of fibers in LED-graded index fiber transmission systems

The loss in a low-loss multimode optical fiber consists of Rayleigh scattering loss and microbending loss. These losses depend on the structural parameters of the fiber. On the other hand, the coupling optical power from optical source into fiber and connection loss of fibers also depend on the parameters. This paper considers the combination of light emitting diode as an optical source and a graded index fiber as a transmission line and discusses the optimum parameters that give the longest possible span length between an optical transmitter and receiver.     

Planar optical coupling elements for multimode fibers with two-step ion migration process

An electric field assisted two-step ion migration process in soda-lime glass plates has been used to produce optical couple waveguides with semicircular and circular cross sections. The radius and the numerical aperture of the guides are approximately the same as those of the graded index multimode fibers. A new coupler structure, the edge reflecting element, which could be used as an integrated demultiplexer in wavelength division multiplexing, has been fabricated. The loss spectrum of the waveguides is analyzed and a theoretical treatment of the ion concentrations is given.     

A convenient field-installable antireflection coating for optical fiber connectors and other components

Disc-shaped pellicles 15 microns thick are antireflection coated and cemented to the polished ends of optical fiber connectors. Excess loss due to increased fiber separation is a maximum of 10% (.46 dB), typically 3.8% (.16 dB) in graded index fibers; Fresnel back-reflections are reduced by a factor of more than 10.     

A convenient field-installable antireflection coating for optical fiber connectors and other components

Disc-shaped pellicles 15 microns thick are antireflection coated and cemented to the polished ends of optical fiber connectors. Excess loss due to increased fiber separation is a maximum of 10% (.46 dB), typically 3.8% (.16 dB) in graded index fibers; Fresnel back-reflections are reduced by a factor of more than 10.     

Optimum structural parameters of fibers in LED-graded index fiber transmission systems

Abstract

The loss in a low-loss multimode optical fiber consists of Rayleigh scattering loss and microbending loss. These losses depend on the structural parameters of the fiber. On the other hand, the coupling optical power from optical source into fiber and connection loss of fibers also depend on the parameters. This paper considers the combination of light emitting diode as an optical source and a graded index fiber as a transmission line and discusses the optimum parameters that give the longest possible span length between an optical transmitter and receiver.     

弱渐变抛物型光纤传导模式的截止频率与介电比

在弱渐变假定下,研究了抛物型渐变光纤传导模式的截止频率对折射率参量的依赖关系。采用矢量场法,得到了在弱导条件下传导模式的特征方程和截止频率的近似计算公式。引入了介电比γ,它是由光纤三个折射率参量所确定的常数。在弱导近似的条件下,归一化截止频率仅与γ这一个变量有关,任一渐变抛物型光纤的实际截止频率可通过γ而由归一化截止频率简单求得,从而找到了渐变光纤的实际截止频率与归一化截止频率间的联系。给出了归一化截止频率随γ的变化曲线,归一化截止频率随γ的增加而单调上升,但HElm模截止频率的上升规律与其他模式不同。     

Rate equations studies on coherently combined fiber lasers connected by an optical coupler

Attempt has been made to apply the steady-state rate equations to study two coherently combined Er³⁺-doped fiber lasers joined by an optical fiber coupler. In order to establish the boundary conditions, which are necessary for solving the equations, we have taken into consideration the fact that a constructive interference at the coupler assures that the laser radiations from both constituent lasers are directed to the coupler output port to which a reflection mirror defining both lasers is attached. Consequently, effective reflectivity, provided by the coupler-mirror combination, can be specified in terms of the laser powers of both laser signals, and the rate equations describing the compound system can be solved. Using the derived solutions, quantitative investigations can be made on the influences of different laser parameters. For example, the influence of the length difference between doped fibers, the splitting ratio of the coupler and power difference between the two pump radiations have been given in this report.     

Characteristics of pure silica core single-mode fiber

Single-mode fibers with low attenuation and sufficient reliability are especially important for long-span optical transmission systems. Conventionally, GeO₂ has been added to the fiber core region in order to make a refractive index difference between the core and cladding. However, the addition of GeO₂ increases Rayleigh scattering loss [1], and deteriorates the chemical stability against hydrogen atmosphere and γ-ray irradiation to bring about an increase in attenuation. [2][3] Therefore, pure silica core single-mode fiber was considered to be an ideal type of fiber, and it was succeeded in being fabricated by utilizing fluorine containing SiO₂ cladding.     

Optical-fiber-to-waveguide coupling using carbon-dioxide-laser-induced long-period fiber gratings

Optical fibers are expected to play a role in chip-level and board-level optical interconnects because of limitations on the bandwidth and level of integration of electrical interconnects. Therefore, methods are needed to couple optical fibers directly to waveguides on chips and on boards. We demonstrate optical-fiber-to-waveguide coupling using carbon-dioxide laser-induced long-period fiber gratings (LPFGs). Such gratings can be written in standard fiber and offer wavelength multiplexing-demultiplexing performance. The coupler fabrication process and the characterization apparatus are presented. The operation and the wavelength response of a LPFG-based optical-fiber-to-waveguide directional coupler are demonstrated.     

Transmission characteristics of graded-index fibers

The use of graded-index fibers for optical communication systems is now under consideration for numerous civil and military applications, and in these either LED or laser sources can be developed. The bandwidth of the system depends on the source linewidth, the dispersion of refractive index in the fiber, the strength of excitation of the modes by the source, and the extent of mode mixing caused, by example, by microbending. In fibers with refractive-index profiles that have a nearly parabolic dependence upon radius, pulse broadening is a slight, but small departures from an optimum profile can cause a dramatic decrease in bandwidth. It is of considerable importance to predict the bandwidth of fibers from a knowledge of the refractive-index profile and source geometry. The purpose of the first part of this paper is to compare two computational methods by which the propagation characteristics of a fiber, hence the impulse response and system bandwidth, may be determined. In the second part, we shall describe a computer program that determines the excitation of modes in an arbitrarily graded refractive index fiber for a model of laser source.     

一种新型的光纤锥形耦合器

提出了一种光纤波导折射率渐变的新型锥形（Taper）耦合器件，其原理是基于光纤中Ge缺陷在紫外光照射下而产生的光致折射率的变化。利用光纤在高压、低温下渗氢技术使单模光纤的光致折射率变化△n达6×10-3数量级；通过控制曝光条件就可以在光纤中产生一定规律的锥形结构，使单模光纤的模场半径由4．8μm缩小到3．2μm。由耦合波理论分析表明该器件具有较好的基模传输特性。     

Optical fibers and fiber dispersion compensators for high-speed optical communication

In order to meet the requirements necessary for advanced optical fiber transmission schemes that enable larger transmission capacity, higher efficiency and/or lower transmission costs per bit, optical fiber technologies are still evolving toward ultimate performance. Recent developmental activities have realized a number of improved performance optical fibers, such as ultra-low loss or ultra-low nonlinearity fibers and various types of dispersion-modified fibers. Fiber-based dispersion compensators or dispersion compensating fibers have also become one of the most essential optical components that support high-speed large capacity optical transmission. Very recently, the dispersion compensating fibers have further evolved into dispersion-managed optical transmission lines, which are now being actually deployed in transoceanic submarine optical cable networks.