Low-loss fusion splice of hollow-core anti-resonant fiber and single mode fiber based on GIMF

Ma Xiaohui; Li Chuchen; Song Chao; Hu Tianhao; Zhao Zhongbin; Liu Hao; Zhang Wei; Zhou Yong; Fang Wentan; Chen Xiaolin; Huang Song; Gao Weiqing

doi:10.12086/oee.2025.240225

Article navigation > Opto-Electronic Engineering > 2025 Vol. 52 > No. 1 > 240225

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Ma X H, Li C C, Song C, et al. Low-loss fusion splice of hollow-core anti-resonant fiber and single mode fiber based on GIMF[J]. Opto-Electron Eng, 2025, 52(1): 240225. doi: 10.12086/oee.2025.240225

Citation:

Ma X H, Li C C, Song C, et al. Low-loss fusion splice of hollow-core anti-resonant fiber and single mode fiber based on GIMF[J]. Opto-Electron Eng, 2025, 52(1): 240225. doi: 10.12086/oee.2025.240225

Low-loss fusion splice of hollow-core anti-resonant fiber and single mode fiber based on GIMF

Department of Optical Engineering, School of Physics, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, Anhui 230601, China

Fund Project: Nation Key R&D Program of China (2022YFB2903102), National Natural Science Foundation of China (62105087, 62105088, 12204141, 12304476), and Central University Basic Research Fund Project (JZ2024HGTB0235, JZ2024HGTB0212, JZ2024HGTB0202)

More Information

^*Corresponding author: gaoweiqing@hfut.edu.cn
CSTR: 32245.14.oee.2025.240225

Received Date 20 September 2024

Revised Date 13 December 2024

Accepted Date 13 December 2024

Published Date 25 January 2025

Abstract

Abstract

This paper presents a low-loss fusion splice method between the nested hollow-core anti-resonant fiber (HC-ARF) and single-mode fiber (SMF) by introducing a graded-index multi-mode fiber (GIMF) as a transition fiber. The mode field matching between the nested HC-ARF and the SMF is achieved by using the GIMF as the mode field adapting fiber and expanding the mode field in the SMF by using its self-imaging effect. The effects of discharge time and discharge power on fusion splice loss during fusion splicing are explored in the experiments. Based on an optimized fusion splicing scheme, the integrity of the microstructure of the nested HC-ARF fusion splicing end face is effectively protected, and the average fusion splicing loss is as low as 0.60 dB. The experimental results provide a reference to improve the compatibility of the nested hollow-core anti-resonant fibers with the existing fiber system.
- hollow-core anti-resonant fiber /
- nested structure /
- mode field match /
- graded-index fiber /
- single mode fiber /
- fusion splicing

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References

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Overview

Overview

Hollow core anti-resonant fiber (HC-ARF) is a type of fiber with a novel optical guiding mechanism. Compared with traditional single-mode fiber (SMF), HC-ARF has the advantages of lower dispersion, nonlinearities, Rayleigh scattering, higher propagation speed, and damage threshold. It has great potential applications in fiber sensing, high-power transmission, gas laser, mid-infrared laser, and other fields. In recent years, the interconnection methods between SMF and HCF mainly include fiber array connection based on adhesive bonding, connector connection, and fiber array fusion splicing. However, these methods all have certain limitations, such as complex operations and insufficient stability. To address these issues, we introduced a precisely controlled length graded-index multi-mode fiber (GIMF) as a transition fiber in the fusion splicing of HC-ARF and SMF, achieving mode field matching between HC-ARF and SMF.

The main sources of fusion losses between HC-ARF and SMF include microstructure collapse of the fusion end face of HC-ARF, mode field mismatch between the two fibers, geometric offset during fiber alignment, and flatness of the fiber end face. The mode field mismatch loss between HC-ARF and SMF is due to their different mode field diameters. For the fusion splicing of HC-ARF and SMF, a transition fiber needs to be added to achieve mode field matching between the two fibers.

The HC-ARF used for fusion splicing is an anti-resonant structure with five nested tubes. The loss of direct fusion splicing between SMF and HC-ARF (with the intact microstructure of HC-ARF) can even exceed 3 dB. Use a regular fiber fusion splicer to fuse SMF and GIMF in multimode fiber fusion mode, and then precisely control the length of 260 μm cutting. The effects of discharge time and discharge power on fusion splicing loss during fusion splicing were also investigated in the experiment. The fusion splicing strength should be maximized while ensuring the integrity of the microstructure of the nested HC-ARF end faces during fusion splicing. A C+L band amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) light source with a wavelength of 1520-1620 nm is used to measure losses. The measured overall loss is 1.19 dB. The results of multiple fusion splicing experiments indicate that the length of GIMF fiber has a significant impact on the loss. The optimal length of GIMF fiber should be around 260-270 μm. If the cutting error of GIMF is further optimized, low-loss fusion splicing results can be obtained more stably. This work provides useful guidance for improving the compatibility between HC-ARF and existing fiber optic systems, and can serve as the technical foundation for the development and application of HC-ARF.