Polymer-Tipped Optical Fibers

Abstract

This article presents a recent approach of polymer microtips integrated at the extremity of optical fibers by photopolymerization. The method is simple and flexible, and the obtained polymer/fiber hybrid system behaves as either a high quality microlens or a probe for near-field microscopy that requires strongly confined fields. Polymer-tipped optical fibers have been shown to be powerful in improving efficiency of coupling with laser diodes and silicon on insulator integrated guides. Finally, it is shown that the hybrid system can be used for high resolution scanning optical microscopy.

Keywords:

• coupling
• microlens
• near-field optics
• optical fibers
• optoelectronics
• photopolymerization
• SNOM

Acknowledgments

This project gives rise to stimulating interaction with several colleagues. We would like to thank them. They are cited below in alphabetical order: C. Carre, B. Dahmani, R. Deturche, C. Ecoffet, R. Fikri, N. Fressengeas, Y. Gilbert, M. Hocine, S. Jradi, M. Juan, G. Lerondel, D. J. Lougnot, D. Nedeljkovicd, J. Plain, O. Soppera, M. Spajer, C. Triger, G. Wurtz, and Z. Xinhua. In particular, Y. Gilbert and G. Lerondel participated in the recording of Figure 10a and Figure 11.