Methods and systems for fabrication of shaped fiber elements using laser ablation
US10723653B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 21, 2017 |
| Grant date | Jul 28, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 15, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B27/0911
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method of fabricating a variable diameter fiber includes providing a fiber optic cable, focusing a laser beam at a predetermined location inside the fiber optic cable, and creating a damage site at the predetermined location. The method also includes focusing the laser beam at a series of additional predetermined locations inside the fiber optic cable and creating a plurality of additional damage sites at the additional predetermined locations. The damage site and the additional damage sites define a variable diameter profile. The method further includes exposing the fiber optic cable to an etchant solution, preferentially etching the damage site and the plurality of additional damage sites, and separating a portion of the fiber optic cable to release the variable diameter fiber.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.