Expanding single-mode fiber mode field for high power applications by fusion with multi-mode fiber

摘要

Apparatus and methodology for the low coupling of optical fibers in high power applications. An end of a single-mode optical fiber, or a polarization maintaining fiber, is cut and spliced to a relatively short segment of an index matched multi-mode fiber or an optical fiber without cladding (air cladded) having approximately similar diameter as the single-mode fiber which in turn is coupled to the external device. The free end of the multi-mode fiber may be cleaved, polished and have an anti-reflection applied to it. The beam emitted by the small core of the single-mode optical fiber expands into the larger core of the multi-mode fiber providing low loss high power coupling of the optical fiber to the external device. In applications with high power, where an unmodified fiber could be subject to damage, this component could function as a drop in replacement for that unmodified fiber, requiring no modification to the process or subsequent devices to which this fiber is attached.