Side-coupling of light for an optical fiber

摘要

Light is coupled into and out of an optical fiber from the side by providing an acute angular cut along the end of the optical fiber and locating a light source adjacent the side of the optical fiber opposite the inner facing surface of the cut such that light reflects from the cut surface substantially parallel to the optical axis of the optical fiber. The outer surface of the cut is rendered reflective. The curved optical fiber cladding material between the side located light source or detector and the inner surface of the cut end of the optical fiber acts as a lens to collimate the light from the light source.