Specialty optical fiber processing

Specialty optical fibers such as structured and soft glasses require unique processing techniques. For Photonic Crystal Fibers (PCF), Photonic Band Gap Fibers (PBF), and Anti Resonant Fibers (ARF), optical properties are due to the fiber structures while for soft glasses, it is the materials and composition that control these properties. Fiber preparation (coating removal, cleaning, and cleaving) is not trivial for these fiber types. Various approaches will be discussed including strategies for cleave optimization and analysis. Approaches for splicing and mode field adapting will be shared for structured fibers, as well as splicing and component fabrication for soft glasses. These will include end capping fibers with solid silica glass as well as tapering and fabrication of a 3:1 combiner in soft glass. The primary focus will be on the controlled delivery of heat (where and why) and the required positioning.