Microlenses for Coupling Junction Lasers to Optical Fibers

Abstract

Microscopic lenses, fabricated on optical fiber surfaces, have quadrupled the efficiency for coupling astigmatic beams from GaAs junction lasers into 4-microm cores of single-mode fibers. A novel photolithographic technique was used to make hemispherical and hemicylindrical microlenses, with diameters between 4 microm and 10 microm, from commercially available negative type photoresist that is transparent at ir laser wavelengths. Geometrical profiles of photoresist lenses, documented with scanning electron photomicrographs, were remarkably smooth even though their dimensions were more than an order of magnitude smaller than other known lenses.

Fabrication of Micro Lens Array by Excimer Laser Micromachining

“…Moreover, current research indicates that array of micro lenses has the ability to act as concentrators for high efficiency photovoltaics (Karp et al 2010). They are also used to couple light to optical fibres (Cohen et al 1974). Therefore, the use of micro lenses in compact high performance micro optical devices has become essential.…”

Self-developing aspherical chalcogenide-glass microlenses for semiconductor lasers

“…For instance, As 2 Se 3 will be employed for infrared light, 9 and organic photopolymers may be employed for blue to ultraviolet light. 10 Finally, it may be valuable to give a note on the so-called surface-emitting lasers. As is known, the laser can directly emit a circular beam, while the laser seems to have limited characteristics in, e.g., wavelength and light intensity.…”

Integrated near-field optical head for hybrid recording

“…A lens is needed to collect the diverging beam coming out of the end of the fiber. A micro lens fabricated at the end of the fiber can replace traditional bulk optical components and has the advantage of self-alignment with the fiber [7,8]. A hemispherical micro lens with a large radius R and long working length compared to other works was designed and fabricated [9].…”