Fabrication and Optical Characterization of Strain Variable PDMS Biconical Optical Fiber Taper

• Published in: IEEE photonics technology letters Vol. 25; no. 21; pp. 2066 - 2069
• Main Authors: Martincek, Ivan, Pudis, Dusan, Gaso, P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: IEEE 01-11-2013
• Subjects: integrated optics; Optical attenuators; Optical device fabrication; Optical fiber applications; optical fiber devices; Optical fiber sensors; Optical fibers; optical waveguides
• ISSN: 1041-1135; 1941-0174
• DOI: 10.1109/LPT.2013.2281077

We demonstrate a promising fabrication technology and basic optical characteristics of prepared strain variable polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) biconical optical fiber taper. For its preparation, silicone elastomer Sylgard 184 was used. Strain dependence of the PDMS fiber taper shows up to 140% elastic elongation. In the process of elongation of the PDMS fiber taper, the measured intermodal interference points to its employment for different sensor applications and opens new areas for developing various types of strain variable PDMS optical fiber devices.