Fiber optical beam shaping using polymeric structures

Abstract

A method to control the output intensity profile of optical fibers is presented. Using guided wave photopolymerization in multimode structures the fabrication with modal assisted shaping of polymeric micro lenses is demonstrated. Results showing that a given linear polarized mode can be selectively excited controlling the intensity distribution at the fiber tip are presented. This pattern is then reproduced in the polymeric micro structure fabricated at the fiber tip thus modulating its output intensity distribution. Such structures can therefore be used to obtain at the fiber tip predetermined intensity patterns for attaining optical trapping or patterned illumination.