Open AccessFabrication of axicon microlenses on capillaries and microstructured fibers by wet etching
Author(s) -
Kyle Bachus,
Elton Soares de Lima Filho,
Kamila Wlodarczyk,
Richard D. Oleschuk,
Younès Messaddeq,
HansPeter Loock
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.24.020346
Subject(s) - axicon , materials science , etching (microfabrication) , optics , capillary action , microchannel , fabrication , optical fiber , lens (geology) , fiber , optoelectronics , composite material , nanotechnology , laser , laser beams , medicine , physics , alternative medicine , layer (electronics) , pathology
A facile method is presented for the fabrication of microlenses at the facet of fused silica capillaries and microstructured fibers. After submersion in hydrogen fluoride solution water is pumped slowly through the center hole of the capillary microchannel to create an etchant gradient extending from the capillary axis. The desired axicon angle is generated by adjusting the etching time and/or concentration of the etchant. Similarly, flow- assisted HF etching of a custom microstructured fiber containing nine microchannels produces nine individual microlenses simultaneously at the fiber facet, where each microaxicon lens shows a similar focusing pattern. A theoretical model of the flow-assisted etching process is used to determine the axicon angle and post angle. Also, a simple ray-based model was applied to characterize the focusing properties of the microaxicons in good agreement with experimental observations.