Micro-lens machining on optical fibers by direct laser ablation

Thomas Fricke-Begemann; Jianzhao Li; Jurgen Ihlemann; Peter Robert Herman; Gerd Marowsky

doi:10.1117/12.567671

9 December 2004 Micro-lens machining on optical fibers by direct laser ablation

Thomas Fricke-Begemann, Jianzhao Li, Jurgen Ihlemann, Peter Robert Herman, Gerd Marowsky

Proceedings Volume 5578, Photonics North 2004: Photonic Applications in Astronomy, Biomedicine, Imaging, Materials Processing, and Education; (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.567671
Event: Photonics North, 2004, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Abstract

Beam shaping at the output of optical fibers is required in a variety of applications including optical sensors, telecommunication devices and medical applications. We present a laser micro-machining technique for the fabrication of micro-lenses directly upon the end face of silica fibers using a F2-laser processing station. Ablation is performed in a mask projection arrangement with 25x demagnification. A mask with an occluded circular beam shape is imaged perpendicular to the fiber axis. The fiber is rotated axially while the laser cuts through the fiber, yielding a spherically shaped tip with radius defined by the mask dimensions. Strong 157 nm absorption by the silica glass facilitates precise structuring without micro-crack formation. The quality of the fiber-lenses is characterized by AFM, SEM and by analysing the beam profile at the fiber output.

Citation Download Citation

Thomas Fricke-Begemann, Jianzhao Li, Jurgen Ihlemann, Peter Robert Herman, and Gerd Marowsky "Micro-lens machining on optical fibers by direct laser ablation", Proc. SPIE 5578, Photonics North 2004: Photonic Applications in Astronomy, Biomedicine, Imaging, Materials Processing, and Education, (9 December 2004); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.567671

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