title: Low loss fusion splicing of micron scale silica fibers.
abstract: Tapered micron-sized optical fibers may be important in the future for development of microscale integrated photonic devices. Complex photonic circuits require many devices and a robust technique for interconnection. We demonstrate splicing of four micron diameter step-index air-clad silica microfibers using a CO2 laser. We obtain splice losses lower than 0.3%. Compared with evanescent coupling of microfibers, our splices are more mechanically stable and efficient.
authors.affiliation: The Institute of Optics, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14627, USA. parama@optics.rochester.edu
authors.forename: Parama
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pal
authors.forename: Wayne H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Knox
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006358:Hot Temperature; D007834:Lasers; D008027:Light; D008422:Materials Testing; D008904:Miniaturization; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D055100:Optical Fibers; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects*
chemical_list: D012822:Silicon Dioxide