Refractive microlens on fiber using UV-curable fluorinated acrylate polymer by surface-tension

A new novel fabrication method for lensed fiber has been proposed utilizing a viscosity-optimized UV-curable fluorinated acrylate polymer. The structure is composed of three segments; single-mode fiber, coreless silica fiber and UV-curable polymer lens-tip. Flexible control of the curvature of lens-tip was realized by control of deposited volume and surface tension of the liquid polymer. Free-space interconnection performances such as working distance, spot size at beam waist, and misalignment tolerances are characterized.