Mode-field converting silica-based waveguide by local heat treatment

Abstract
A mode-field converting silica-based waveguide was fabricated simply by locally heating the waveguide end. The mode-field diameter changes from 8.0 to 9.6 μm with a taper length of 4 mm and then the fibre coupling loss decreased to less than 0.1 dB. This technique was successfully applied to a waveguide array.