DOI QR코드

DOI QR Code

Fabrication and Characterization of N×N Plastic Optical Fiber Star Coupler based on Fused Combining

  • Kim, Kwang Taek (Department of Optoelectronics, Honam University) ;
  • Lee, Byeong Ha (School of Information and Communications, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology) ;
  • Lee, Cherl-Hee (Robot System Division, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science & Technology) ;
  • Lee, Jonghun (Robot System Division, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science & Technology)
  • Received : 2012.12.24
  • Accepted : 2013.02.04
  • Published : 2013.02.25

Abstract

High performance plastic optical fiber (POF) $N{\times}N$ star couplers are implemented based on fusing and combining technology. A set of cladding-removed POFs are fused into a solid body by heating and pressing them together to form the transition region between the input and output sides. The operation principle of the proposed star coupler is explained based on ray optics. To demonstrate the performance of the device, $2{\times}2$, $4{\times}4$ and $6{\times}6$ type POF couplers were fabricated and characterized. Performances of the POF star couplers were evaluated in terms of the flatness of the coupling ratios and excess losses.

Keywords

References

  1. T. Kibler, S. Poferl, G. Bock, H.-P. Huber, and E. Zeeb, "Optical data buses for automotive applications," J. Lightwave Technol. 22, 2184-2199 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1109/JLT.2004.833784
  2. D.-G. Kim, S. Y. Woo, D.-K. Kim, S.-H. Park, and J.-T. Hwang, "Fabrication and characteristics of plastic optical fiber directional couplers," J. Opt. Soc. Korea 9, 99-102 (2005). https://doi.org/10.3807/JOSK.2005.9.3.099
  3. K. T. Kim, D. G. Kim, W. K. Hyun, K. B. Hong, K. G. Im, S. J. Baik, D. K. Kim, and H. Y. Hyun, "Side-coupled asymmetric plastic optical fiber coupler for optical sensor systems," J. Opt. Soc. Korea 12, 255-261 (2008). https://doi.org/10.3807/JOSK.2008.12.4.255
  4. Y. Jeong, S. Bae, and K. Oh, "All fiber $N{\times}N$ fused tapered plastic optical fiber (POF) power splitters for photodynamic therapy applicationsm," Current Applied Physics 9, 273-275 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cap.2009.07.013
  5. M. S. A. Rahman, H. Guna, M. M. H. Harun, M. S. D. D. Zan, and K. Jumari, "Fabrication and characterization of customer 1${\times}$3 POF based optical coupler for home networking," IJCSNS International Journal of Computer Science and Network Security 8, 43-47 (2000).
  6. Y. Takezawa, S. Akasaka, S. Ohara, T. Ishibashi, H. Asano, and N. Taketani, "Low excess losses in a Y-branching plastic optical waveguide formed through injection molding," Appl. Opt. 33, 2307-2312 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1364/AO.33.002307
  7. C. Yang, X. Sun, Y. Wang, M. Zhang, D. Ding, "1${\times}$7 plastic optical fiber coupler using cylindrical mixing rod," Proc. SPIE 4603, 183-187 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1117/12.444557
  8. A. A. Ehsan, S. Shaari, and M. K. A. Rahman, "Low cost 1x 2 Acrylic-based plastic optical fiber coupler with hollow taper waveguide," PIERS 2, 129-132 (2009).
  9. K. Imoto, H. Sano, and M. Maeda, "Plastic optical fiber star coupler," Appl. Opt. 25, 3443-3447 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1364/AO.25.003443
  10. K. T. Kim, B. J. Han, M. K. Kim, Y. H. Kim, B. H. Lee, K. J. Cho, J. W. Kim, C.-H. Lee, and J. Lee, "4x4 plastic optical fiber star coupler incorporated with a common polymer waveguide optical power distribution region," Fiber and Integrated Optics 30, 265-277 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1080/01468030.2011.584957