Method and apparatus for side launch excitation of selected modes in graded-index optical fibers
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for exciting a selected mode in a graded-index optical fiber, comprising:
- a graded-index multimode optical fiber which has been etched to a taper below the cladding layer;
a coupling medium having an index of refraction greater than that of the fiber cladding and contacting the tapered portion of the fiber; and
a source of light directed toward the coupling medium such that the light beam passes through the medium into the fiber.
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Abstract
An optical fiber having a parabolic-index profile is etched to a taper below the cladding layer. A prism contacts the taper along its length within the etched portion of the fiber, and coherent light is transmitted through the prism into the fiber. Selective control of the light beam entry angle, entry position along the taper, and control of the etching depth allows excitation of specific modes within the fiber and maximization of coupling efficiency.
15 Citations
7 Claims
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1. An apparatus for exciting a selected mode in a graded-index optical fiber, comprising:
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a graded-index multimode optical fiber which has been etched to a taper below the cladding layer; a coupling medium having an index of refraction greater than that of the fiber cladding and contacting the tapered portion of the fiber; and a source of light directed toward the coupling medium such that the light beam passes through the medium into the fiber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A method for exciting a selected mode in a graded-index optical fiber, comprising:
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etchng a graded-index multimode optical fiber to a taper below the cladding layer; directing a coherent beam of light into the fiber through the side of the etched portion, and adjusting the angle of incidence of said beam to excite a predetermined mode in said fiber. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7)
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Specification