Controllable hybrid side-polishing method (CHPM) for optical fibers by combination of polishing and etching

Abstract

We introduce the controllable hybrid polishing method (CHPM), which is a combination of enhanced side-polishing and etching methods, leading to a more controllable and precise clad polishing process for optical fibers. The two key advantages of CHPM are enabling of real-time monitoring of the etching process with a resolution of ~100 nm and fabrication of a 34% smoother polished surface than that of traditional polishing methods. Bearing in mind that these two factors are very important for the fabrication of any polished fiber devices, such as plasmonic sensors, the CHPM should prove highly useful in related industrial and scientific applications.