Coupling of lasers to single-mode fibres with high efficiency and low optical feedback

Abstract

A simple automatic method of obtaining tapered ends for single-mode fibres is by using a microcomputer-controlled process. In addition to producing standard tapers of more than 300 μm in length and radii of curvature of more than 20 μm at their tip, it is now possible to draw very short and pointed tapers (lengths <200 μm, radii <10 μm) resulting in very high launching efficiencies of about 75% with low optical feedback in the laser source.