Connection of fiber optical communication circuits by optical beam self-trapping in photocurable media

Abstract

An optical single- and multi mode fiber splicing process based on optical beam self-trapping in photocurable organic materials with light induced increase of the refractive index is investigated both theoretically and experimentally. The ends of two optical fiber cables to be spliced are immersed in a photocurable material with a gap maintained between them. The terminal ends of individual fibers in each cable are facing their counterparts. Two optical beams are sent from opposite fiber cores to meet each other. These writing beams increase the refractive index of the material, This results in a formation of in optically induced bridge that traps and directs the beams toward the opposite fiber core. This permanent optical connection can be simultaneously built for all the fibers within each of two cables.