Fabrication of polymer microlens at the apex of optical fiber

Nan Ma; Praveen C. Ashok; Frank J. Gunn-Moore; Kishan Dholakia

doi:10.1117/12.899114

23 August 2011 Fabrication of polymer microlens at the apex of optical fiber

Nan Ma, Praveen C. Ashok, Frank J. Gunn-Moore, Kishan Dholakia

Proceedings Volume 8173, Photonics 2010: Tenth International Conference on Fiber Optics and Photonics; 817314 (2011) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.899114
Event: International Conference on Fiber Optics and Photonics, 2010, Guwahati, India

Abstract

We report a simple, inexpensive fabrication method to fabricate polymer microlens at the apex of optical fiber. When compared to other established protocols for fabricating microlensed fiber, this procedure allows simple and inexpensive microlensed fiber fabrication with high reproducibility. Also it is possible to tune the focal length and working distance of the fabricated lens in a wider range by controlling the curing parameters such as curing power, beam shape of the curing beam and curing time. The novel curing procedure, where a specially structured curing laser beam of wavelength 405nm was used for curing, is the key factor for this extended flexibility. Once cured, the UV curable adhesive used for fabricating these lenses had a very good transmission in visible and near-IR region, making it ideal for communication and biophotonics applications. This fabrication technique can be used in a variety of applications owing to its ability to achieve customized microlenses for specific applications.

Citation Download Citation

Nan Ma, Praveen C. Ashok, Frank J. Gunn-Moore, and Kishan Dholakia "Fabrication of polymer microlens at the apex of optical fiber", Proc. SPIE 8173, Photonics 2010: Tenth International Conference on Fiber Optics and Photonics, 817314 (23 August 2011); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.899114

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available