New approach for high reliability, low loss splicing between silica and ZBLAN fibers

Robin Carbonnier; Wenxin Zheng

doi:10.1117/12.2286353

20 February 2018 New approach for high reliability, low loss splicing between silica and ZBLAN fibers

Robin Carbonnier, Wenxin Zheng

Proceedings Volume 10513, Components and Packaging for Laser Systems IV; 105131G (2018) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2286353
Event: SPIE LASE, 2018, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

In the past decade, ZBLAN (ZrF4-BaF2-LaF3-NaF) fibers have drawn increasing interest for laser operations at wavelengths where Fused Silica-based (SiO₂) fibers do not perform well. One limitation to the expansion of ZBLAN fiber lasers today is the difficulty to efficiently inject and extract light in/from the guiding medium using SiO₂ fibers. Although free space and butt coupling have provided acceptable results, consistent and long lasting physical joints between SiO₂ and ZBLAN fibers will allow smaller, cheaper, and more robust component manufacturing.

While low loss splices have been reported using a traditional splicing approach, the very low mechanical strength of the joint makes it difficult to scale. Difficulties in achieving a strong bond are mainly due to the large difference of transition temperature between ZBLAN and SiO₂ fibers (∼260°C vs ∼1175°C).

This paper presents results obtained by using the high thermal expansion coefficient of the ZBLAN fiber to encapsulate a smaller SiO₂ fiber. A CO₂ laser glass processing system was used to control the expansion and contraction of the ZBLAN material during the splicing process for optimum reliability.

This method produced splices between 125μm ZBLAN to 80μm SiO2 fibers with average transmission loss of 0.225dB (measured at 1550nm) and average ultimate tension strength of 121.4gf. The Resulting splices can be durably packaged without excessive care. Other combinations using 125μm SiO₂ fibers tapered to 80μm are also discussed.

Citation Download Citation

Robin Carbonnier and Wenxin Zheng "New approach for high reliability, low loss splicing between silica and ZBLAN fibers", Proc. SPIE 10513, Components and Packaging for Laser Systems IV, 105131G (20 February 2018); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2286353

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