Visible radiation-induced connection of single-mode IR fibres in a photopolymerising composition

Abstract

The properties of the optical connection of single-mode fibres by laser beams counterpropagating from the ends of these fibres are considered numerically and experimentally. It is shown that effective connection of single-mode fibres at the wavelength of 1.55 μm is possible during self-channelling and interaction of optical beams at 0.63 μm in a photopolymerising medium. In this case, the long exposure can lead to a decrease in the transmission coefficient, especially when the ends of the fibres being connected are positioned off-axially. It is obtained experimentally that for the 1–2-mm-long polymer connector and the ∼15-μm radial displacement, the efficiency of the optical connection of the SMF-28 and CS-980 single-mode fibres in a OCM-2 photopolymerising composition can achieve 80%—90% and 50%—60%, respectively.