OPTICAL FIBER WITH LENS INCLUDING HIGH REFRACTIVE INDEX LAYER FORMED ON TIP END AND OPTICAL COUPLING MODULE USING OPTICAL FIBER WITH LENS

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To condense a light wave propagating an optical fiber to a minute spot or to couple radiation light from a minute emission face to the optical fiber with high efficiency. SOLUTION: The end face of the optical fiber formed by covering the periphery of a core with a clad is formed in the form of a projection or a recess to an optical fiber axis, and a layer having a higher refractive index than the refractive indexes of the core and the clad of the optical fiber is formed on the projected or recessed face. The layer is given such effect that the light wave radiated from a light source arranged ahead of the high refractive index layer by being viewed from the optical fiber side is efficiently coupled to the optical fiber or the light wave propagating the optical fiber is condensed ahead of the high refractive index layer. In addition, thickness of the layer is preferably made uniform in a radial direction or is preferably reduced on the outside of the radial direction. In addition, an antireflection film is desired to be formed on both faces of the boundary of the layer or on one-sided face of the same. COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT