Abstract

In the development of an encapsulated semiconductor laser package with a single-mode fiber pigtail for long-haul/wideband fiber transmission systems, an efficient and reliable laser-to-fiber optical coupler design is required. A variety of single-mode fiber coupling systems^1–10 have been reported. They range from the simple butt coupling technique to the more complicated multilens system. We have developed and used a new technique of forming a hemispherical microlens on the fiber tip, which has been previously reduced by chemical etching to about the lens diameter. This method is an attractive choice due to its inherent simplicity, and it appears to be most adaptable to manufacturing techniques for large quantity production.

© 1982 Optical Society of America