title: Smooth end face termination of microstructured, graded-index, and step-index polymer optical fibers.
abstract: A new technique, based on a partially automated process, for smooth end face termination of three types of plastic optical fibers (microstructured, graded-index, and step-index) is presented. The cross-sectional shape of the fibers is preserved, and the structure in microstructured plastic optical fibers (POFs) is of good quality, showing no plastic deformations. The termination is achieved in a fast and easy way, independent of material properties or structures inside the fiber. The process is reproducible and it shows that thin-diameter POFs can be used. The POFs' near-field pattern and the insertion loss are also analyzed, showing good coupling capabilities.
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: Lúcia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bilro
authors.forename: Rogério
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nogueira