All-fiber spot-size transformer for efficient free-space optical interconnecting devices

Appl Opt. 2003 Nov 1;42(31):6261-6. doi: 10.1364/ao.42.006261.

Abstract

A new concatenated configuration of optical fibers is proposed to improve misalignment tolerance and working distance in a free-space optical interconnection. The structure is composed of three segments: a thermally expanded core fiber, a coreless silica fiber, and a claddingless graded-index fiber. A numerical analysis for the design of each fiber segment is performed completely, and the device characteristics are experimentally evaluated in terms of the tolerances for a 1-dB coupling-loss increment against longitudinal, transverse, and angular misalignments.