Patent ID: 7058267
Filing Date: 2006-06-06
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. A method for manufacturing an optical fiber with a decoupling interface for scattered light to monitor the power of light guided within said optical fiber, said optical fiber comprising a core having a first refractive index and a cladding surrounding said core, said cladding having a second refractive index being smaller than said first refractive index, a portion of said optical fiber in a region of said decoupling interface being substantially straightly aligned, wherein the optical fiber is electro-thermally treated at an intermediate position within said substantially straightly aligned portion, such that a partial mixture of core material and cladding material and, thereby, formation of scattering centers occurs in an interface region between said core and said cladding, thereby forming said decoupling interface for scattered light; wherein said decoupling interface is surrounded by a light scattering, light refracting or light reflecting material, or by a material being light absorbing and subsequently light emitting a portion of detactable scattered light thereby being modified.