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A Silicon-tipped Fiber-optic Sensing Platform with High Resolution and Fast Response
Published on: January 7, 2019
Tapered silicon optical fibers.
N Healy1, J R Sparks, P J Sazio
1Optoelectronics Research Centre, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK.
Optics Express
|July 1, 2010
Summary
Tapering silicon optical fibers using a fusion splicer creates solid polysilicon cores. This method enables fabrication of nanoscale structures with strong mode confinement and low loss.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Optical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Silicon optical fibers offer unique properties for photonic applications.
- Fabrication of silicon optical fibers with controlled dimensions is challenging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate a novel method for tapering silicon optical fibers.
- To investigate the material properties and optical performance of tapered silicon fibers.
Main Methods:
- Silicon fibers were fabricated using high-pressure chemical deposition of amorphous silicon within a silica capillary.
- Tapering was achieved using a fusion splicer as a post-processing step.
- Optical and material characterization techniques were employed to analyze the tapered fibers.
Main Results:
- A smooth transition region and uniform tapered waist were successfully created.
- Both the transition region and waist were simultaneously crystallized into a solid polysilicon core.
- Strong mode confinement and low taper loss were measured in the fabricated silicon fibers.
Conclusions:
- The demonstrated fusion splicing technique is effective for tapering silicon optical fibers.
- This approach allows for the fabrication of silicon structures with nanoscale core dimensions.
- The results validate the potential of tapered silicon fibers for advanced photonic devices.
