Method for the manufacturing of a fiber with a tapered end having a refractive lens

US4589897A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Siemens Aktiengesellschaft · DE

Inventors

• Konrad Mathyssek · Zorneding, DE
• Rudolf Keil · Munich, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 22, 1985
• Grant date: May 20, 1986
• Expiry date: Feb 22, 2005

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G02B6/2552
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method for manufacturing a fiber taper with a refractive lens, said method comprising the steps of placing a fiber in an axial tension of a given amount; locally heating a portion of the fiber under tension to cause softening and the formation of a constriction in the fiber in the area of heating; removing the tension and continuing the heating to raise the temperature to a point at which the viscosity of the heated material is such that the surface tension causes a further constriction and a transverse separation of the fiber at the constriction; continuing the heating to form the desired curvature of the lens on the separated ends; and then after the desired curvature is formed, stopping the heating to enable the ends to cool and solidify.