Tapered fiber array for free space optical communication
Citation
胡清桂 (Hu Qing-gui), & 龙文光 (Long Wen-guang). (2018). 应用于空间光通信的锥形光纤阵列 (Tapered fiber array for free space optical communication). 光电子·激光 (Journal of Optoelectronics·Laser), 29(12), 1281-1285. doi: 10.16136/j.joel.2018.12.0157.
Keywords
- 空间光通信 / Space Optical Communication
- 锥形光纤阵列 / Tapered Fiber Array
- 耦合效率 / Coupling Efficiency
- 卷积 / Convolution
- 空间光－光纤耦合 / Space Light to Optical Fiber Coupling
- 单光纤 / Single Fiber
- 自聚焦透镜 / Self-focusing Lens
- 数值孔径 / Numerical Aperture - NA
- 高斯分布 / Gaussian Distribution
- 光纤间距 / Fiber Spacing
- 光强 / Light Intensity
- 光斑半径 / Beam Radius/Spot Radius
- 熔融拉锥 / Melt-tapering
Brief
This article proposes using a tapered fiber array to enhance the coupling efficiency of space light into optical fibers for free space optical communication, addressing the challenges posed by small fiber core diameters, and validates this approach with experimental testing in a micro-vibration environment.
Summary
This article addresses the challenge of efficiently coupling space light into small-core optical fibers for free space optical communication by proposing the use of a tapered fiber array as a receiver. The authors analyze the coupling model of space light to a single fiber and then theoretically model the coupling efficiency of a tapered fiber array using convolution. A 3x3 tapered fiber array sample was fabricated and experimentally tested in a micro-vibration environment using two methods to measure received optical power: direct measurement with a large-area APD and combining the light using a fused optical splitter before measurement with a power meter. The experimental results showed that the tapered fiber array achieved the desired receiving effect, with direct APD measurement showing slightly higher power than the splitter method due to energy leakage in the splitter. The study also observed the relationship between coupling efficiency and the offset of the light beam as well as the vibration amplitude.
Origin: