Fabrication And Properties Researches On Ball Lenses Of Coupling Devices In Optical Communications

In modern telecommunication systems, micro-optic components are used to couple light between fibers, from laser diodes to fibers and from fibers to detectors, as well as collimate light from fibers in thin film filter dense DWDW. Both ball lenses and graded refractive index(GRIN) lenses may be employed in these roles.In this dissertation, a new type of optical glass is developed according to the development trends of coupling devices in optical communication systems. The sagging method is used to fabricate ball lenses according to the theory on which the transparent glass micro-sphere can be obtained freezing liquid due to the interfacial tension. The properties of the ball lens are also studied. The following parts are included :In the first part, optical telecommunicating development, micro-optical and coupling technology are discussed.In the second part, relative theoretical contents of basic optical glass which are fabricated for ball lenses are represented.In the third part depicts base glass manufacturing process, which includes glass formula design, glass melting process, and optical parameter measuring.In the fourth part, the researches of preparation technology are proceeded, including fabricating ball lenses using sagging method, polishing of ball lenses and basic performance measurement.The last part highlights optical performances of ball lenses.Results show: the optimal annealing temperature is 570℃ , the refractive index is 1.5198,the spectral transmissive index is greater than 90 percent; the optimal balling temperature is 1250℃, the refractive index is 1.5190 , the spectral transmissive index is greater than 90 percent and maximum coupling efficiency is 62.5 %.