Methods and systems for fabrication of shaped fiber elements using laser ablation
US11332407B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 18, 2020 |
| Grant date | May 17, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 6, 2040 |
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 comprising a cladding region, a fiber core, and a plurality of sacrificial regions disposed in the cladding region and focusing a laser beam at a series of predetermined locations inside the fiber optic cable. The method also includes creating a series of damage sites associated with the series of predetermined locations, wherein the series of damage sites define a variable diameter profile and a latticework in the cladding region of the fiber optic cable. The method further includes exposing the fiber optic cable to an etchant solution, preferentially etching the series of damage sites, and separating peripheral portions of the fiber optic cable to release the variable diameter fiber.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.