<title>Improving coupling efficiency and tolerance with self-focusing optical fiber</title>

Abstract

ABSTRACT A kind of connector utilizing self focusing optical fibers is designedto couple Lambertian point source to multimode optical fibers. According to theemission pattern of the source and transmission characteristic of self focusing optical fiber, our calculation result shows that such a coupling scheme can improve coupling efficiency and tolerance. 1. INTRODUCTION It is very important to improve the efficiency and tolerance whencoupling energy from LED or LD into optical fibers. Typical methods adoptednow include: i. preparing multimode optical fibers with fabricated end faces; ii.using microlens system of short focal lengths; iii. using large lens systems.Such systems of assembly of separate components are characterized by higher loss,lower coupling efficiency, severe requirement on the tolerance, and difficultyin assembling and testing. We in this article introduce a compact scheme using self focusing optical fibers that results in a higher coupling efficiency and better tolerance and makes maintenance much easier