Low-loss, high-impedance integrated fiber-optic tap

Abstract

A passive optical tap that uses cladding modes in a single-mode fiber to provide continuous adjustability of tapped power, large tapping ratios, low excess loss, and structural compatibility with integrated circuit technology has been fabricated and demonstrated. This prototype suffers excess loss of less than 0.07 dB and yields tapping ratios as large as 36 dB. System performance analysis of an optical bus incorporating the integrated fiber-optic tap is discussed, and comparison to conventional singlemode fiber-optic taps, such as fused couplers, is made.