A new scheme of conical-wedge-shaped fiber endface for coupling between high-power laser diodes and single-mode fibers

Abstract

A new scheme for the lensed fiber employing a conical-wedge-shaped fiber endface (CWSFE) for coupling between the high-powered 980-nm laser diodes and single-mode fibers (SMFs) is proposed. The CWSFE was fabricated by following grinding and polishing techniques and then through heating in a fusing splicer to form an elliptical microlens endface. A coupling efficiency of 84% has been demonstrated. The higher coupling efficiency of the CWSFE lensed fiber was attributed to the better matching of both the elliptical Gaussian field distribution and the aspect ratio between the laser source and the fiber. In comparison to other fabrication techniques of lensed fiber used in high-power diode lasers, the advantages of this novel CWSFE structure are the ability to control over two axial curvatures and a small fiber offset through grinding and polishing processes to form a good elliptical endface. The results of this study have led to the development of a simple and reproducible fabrication process for achieving a high-yield and high-coupling CWSFE structure that is suitable for use in commercial high-power pump laser modules.