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Chemical etching of fiber probe

  • US 5,985,166 A
  • Filed: 10/29/1997
  • Issued: 11/16/1999
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/29/1997
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method of etching a fiber, comprising:

  • providing an etchant solution which is chemically reactive to the fiber and has a first interfacial energy with respect to the fiber;

    forming a layer of a protective solvent that is chemically inert to the fiber on top of said etchant solution, said protective solvent having a density smaller than said etchant solution and having a second interfacial energy with respect to the fiber, wherein said first interfacial energy is substantially equal to said second interfacial energy;

    immersing a portion of the fiber in said etchant solution and said protective solvent; and

    maintaining convective flows surrounding said immersed portion within said etchant solution so that said immersed portion is broken away by etching to form a tapered tip within said etchant solution.

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