Expanded end optical fiber and associated coupling arrangements

Abstract From the Canadian patent

Abstract An optical fiber is disclosed which comprises (a) a central core section of constant thickness which terminates in an outwardly gradually expanded end section, and (b) a cladding layer enveloping the core. Both the core and the cladding layer are of constant compositions throughout the fiber's length and width. Additionally the difference between the refractive, indices of the core and the cladding layer remains constant throughout the length of the fiber. Where the core gradually increases in width in the outwardly expanded end section of the fiber, the V number normalized frequency increases in like manner. In such optical fiber, propagation of a predetermined mode or modes is …