Bevelled-microlensed taper connectors for laser and fibre coupling with minimal back-reflections

Abstract

A new means for coupling single-mode fibre to semiconductor lasers with efficiencies than 60% and back-reflections below − 60 dB is demonstrated. The method consists of utilising a CO₂-laser-microlensed, expanded-beam, bevelledtaper connector. This connector design also serves to eliminate back-reflections wherever it is used in a fibre system as an interconnection element.