On the problem of forming a 3D refractive index profile in a fiber and compatible components and possible solutions

Abstract

The article is devoted to the study of issues related to the developments of methods for manufacturing 3D refractive index profiled fiber and fiber-compatible structures. Based on the results of the analysis of published works, it was established that there are no tested approaches with generality to solving this problem. Therefore, the method proposed by the authors seems relevant, which can be classified as a technique for bulk transformation of material properties, which makes it possible to approximately select, and then adjust (with refinement) the volumetric refractive index profile of the selected area to the simulated value. In this article, the authors present the results of the formation of a guiding structure along the boundary of a profiled area. The method of three-beam UV burning and the method of focused ion burning were studied. It has been found that in the second case, significant differences in the refractive index can be obtained. Therefore, the second method may be of interest for the manufacture of large-sized components.