Self-assembling of micro-lenses on optical fibers

"ALTAIR Center proposes to develop an innovative technology for fabrication of a micro-lens directly on the optical fiber employing a simple and efficient self-organization process of the lens formation based on Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD). During thisprocess the micro-lens is automatically created exactly on the fiber core as a result of a chemical reaction. Geometrical parameters of the micro-lens can be easily controlled via the proper choice of the regime of processing. The process of formation ofthe self-assembled micro-lens is extremely simple and cost-effective. It does not require special clean room facilities. It is much faster than conventional gas-phase CVD process.In Phase I of the project we will perform feasibility study, develop and demonstrate this new technology. The optical characteristics of the deposited lens will be investigated as the function of experimental conditions. In Phase II the process offormation of the self-assembled lens will be applied to fabrication of effective couplers for laser diodes and optical fiber sensors. By the end of the project the developed prototype apparatus for fabrication of micro-lenses on optical fibers will bedelivered to DoD. In addition to immediate military applications, the self-assembled lenses can be used in optical fiber communication industry, sensors, scanning near field optical microscopes (SNOM), fiber-pigtailed high brightness laser diode systems, laser surgery,e