Ik. Ilev et al., Attenuation measurement of infrared optical fibers by use of a hollow-taper-based coupling method, APPL OPTICS, 39(19), 2000, pp. 3192-3196
An alternative method for attenuation measurement of infrared (IR) fibers i
s described. The method includes a simple technique for direct laser-to-fib
er coupling with an uncoated glass hollow taper. The operating principle of
the hollow taper is based on the grazing-incidence effect of light reflect
ion. The hollow taper forms a smooth Gaussian-shaped profile of the output
laser emission and provides the proper conditions for equilibrium-mode dist
ribution of optical power within the test IR fibers. The experimental hollo
w-taper-based coupling method is used for measurement of attenuation and be
nding losses of various kinds of IR fiber, including solid-core (fluoride,
chalcogenide, and germanium-doped) and hollow fibers. (C) 2000 Optical Soci
ety of America. OCIS codes: 060.2340, 060.2310, 060.2280.