Patent ID: 6996317
Filing Date: 2006-02-07
Classification: C03B,G02B,Y02P

Abstract:
1. A microstructured optical fiber component comprising a first internal portion exhibiting a first refractive index; a plurality of regions exhibiting various, predetermined refractive indicies, the plurality of regions arranged to provide modifications to an optical signal passing therethrough CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the microstructured optical fiber component is formed to comprise a fiber segment by drawing from a preform of similar pattern and is defined by a pair of endfaces with predetermined height vertical sidewalls therebetween, the vertical sidewalls comprising an input port and an output port for the microstructured optical fiber component such that the endfaces are disposed orthogonal to the direction of optical signal propagation and do not significantly affect the behavior of the light passing through the vertical sidewalls thereof between the input port and the output port, in a direction parallel to the endfaces; wherein the sidewalls of the fiber segment are tapered from the center region toward the endfaces to alter the lateral behavior of an optical signal passing through the input and output ports of said tapered sidewalls.