Fiber-based passive components

Fiber-based passive fiber optic components demonstrate a number of very desirable properties, including low loss, low reflectance, and a relatively simple manufacturing process compared to integrated optical approaches. The addition of a tubing glass which forms a glass matrix around the coupling region adds mechanical robustness, makes possible new or improved optical functionality, and allows the practical implementation of bend tuning and switching. These devices are referred to as multiclad couplers, because of the multiple cladding layers used