Second generation of low-cost fused tapered (LFT) splitters based on POF technology

Abstract

This study presents second generation low-cost fused tapered (LFT) 1 × 3 splitter (G2) as novel, low-cost and low-losssplitting device made from PMMA-based polymer optical fiber (POF). G2 (short taper, 0.5 - 2.0 cm) was fabricated byreformulated handwork fusion method using candle and metal tube. A new process, twisting-effect removal, is addeed to refineripple surface in fused input fiber. LED fiber source (wavelength 650) was injected into input fiber while optical power in outputfibers was measured by optical power meter. Insertion loss (7 dB) and excess loss (0.53 dB) for G2 are extremely low. G2 arehomogenous splitters since their splitting ratio are very close to 33:33:33% with ± 5% of tolerance.