Wavelength-division-multiplexing fiber coupler based on bending-insensitive holey optical fiber

Abstract

A wavelength-division-multiplexing (WDM) coupler has been made with a bending-insensitive holey optical fiber (HOF) by using the fused biconical tapered (FBT) method. The transmission band of the proposed HOF WDM coupler could be easily tuned by adjusting the pulling length during the FBT process. Interestingly, it was observed that the air-hole structure of the HOF should be maintained to have the property of a WDM coupler. As the air holes collapse, the HOF WDM exhibits high-pass-filter-like properties. The cross-sectional scanning electron microscope images of the implemented HOF WDM coupler are presented along with the light intensity distribution measured at the coupling region of the coupler. The proposed HOF couplers may also find applications in optical coarse WDM systems and optical fiber sensors. (C) 2010 Optical Society of America