title: Monitoring techniques for the manufacture of tapered optical fibers.
abstract: The use of a range of optical techniques to monitor the process of fabricating optical fiber tapers is investigated. Thermal imaging was used to optimize the alignment of the optical system; the transmission spectrum of the fiber was monitored to confirm that the tapers had the required optical properties and the strain induced in the fiber during tapering was monitored using in-line optical fiber Bragg gratings. Tapers were fabricated with diameters down to 5 μm and with waist lengths of 20 mm using single-mode SMF-28 fiber.
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mullaney
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Correia
authors.forename: Stephen E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Staines
authors.forename: Stephen W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: James
authors.forename: Ralph P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Tatam
mesh_terms: D015374:Biosensing Techniques / Q000379:methods; D004867:Equipment Design; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D006358:Hot Temperature; D007259:Infrared Rays; D008422:Materials Testing; D055100:Optical Fibers; D055095:Optics and Photonics; D013696:Temperature