Abstract

Polarization maintaining optical fiber couplers(PM couplers) are indispensable components for optical fiber sensors and coherent optical communication systems. There are two coupler fabrication methods. One is a polishing method and the other is a fusion elongation method. The polishing method has advantages in excess loss and crosstalk, but has some problems in mechanical and thermal stability(D . As for the fusion elongation method, low loss was hard to achieve consistently without special treatments (2). An improved fabrication condition realizes PM couplers which maintain low excess loss(about O.ldB) and low crosstalk(less than -20dB), even in harsh conditions.

© 1992 Optical Society of America