Methods of manufacturing optical devices are disclosed. The method includes providing a structure-forming fiber bonded to at least one other optical component, the structure-forming fiber having a preferentially-etchable portion including at least one radial etching boundary and at least one axial etching boundary, and etching the preferentially-etchable portion to the radial and axial etching boundaries to produce a precise optical structure. The preferentially-etchable portion may be removed through one or more radial openings in the structure-forming fiber. Numerous other aspects are provided.
F.32 International patent
COBISS.SI-ID: 14855190The present invention relates to an in-line optical device, and more particularly to an in-line optical device adapted to be connected to an optical fiber. The in-line optical device is suitable for use in different in-line fiber-optics systems to provide interaction of the guided optical field with the surrounding medium or other photonics structure. The in-line optical device includes a field interaction region of an optically-transmissive material or at least the fiber core, a support structure spaced from the central axis having one or more radial openings; and a void between the support structure and the field interaction region, the void substantially surrounding the field interaction region. An in-line optical system includes a first and second lead-in optical fiber, and in-line optical device, which is coupled between both lead-in fibers. The method of manufacturing includes providing a structure-forming fiber with support structure forming portion, a field interaction region forming portion, and a preferentially-etchable portion. It also includes bonding the structure-forming fiber between both lead-in fibers to form a fiber assembly that is further etched. Etching is needed to remove the etchable portion in order to form an in-line optical device having a field interaction region with support structures.
F.32 International patent
COBISS.SI-ID: 14854934The present invention relates to optical sensors, and more particularly to optical fiber sensors and systems including them. The optical fiber sensor whit long active length is composed of a lead-in fiber that also forms the first FP semi-reflective surface, an outer (semi-conical) wall, a second FP semi-reflective surface, a gutter that surrounds the second FP semi-reflective surface, pedestal and a second lead-in fiber. The active length of fiber sensor is defined by gutter depth. The strain measurement system includes an optical fiber sensor adapted to be coupled to an object undergoing strain, the optical fiber sensor including a lead-in optical fiber and an optical element coupled thereto including s a signal processor coupled to the optical fiber sensor. Signal processor is operable to generate and pass a light signal into the lead-in optical fiber, receive a light signal reflected from at least the retracted surface of the optical element, and determine a strain applied to the object. The main advantage of the proposed sensor system is that cavity length and active length are separated by the gutter length in order to improve sensitivity. Method of manufacturing an optical fiber sensor includes a few possibilities to providing a structure-forming fiber; and micromachining the structure-forming fiber to produce an outer dimension, a pedestal, and a gutter surrounding the pedestal having a gutter depth defining an active region of length. The present invention also relates to measuring system in order to define signal interrogation technique in manner of coupling signal into in-line fiber and receiving of a reflected light signal, all that to determine strain applied to the object.
F.32 International patent
COBISS.SI-ID: 14854678