Acoustic stop-bands in periodically microtapered optical fibers

Abstract
A one-dimensional grating microstructure was fabricated on a tapered optical fiber and its acoustic properties experimentally studied. The structure consisted of a number of concatenated and equally spaced microtapers, fabricated using a focused CO2 laser. Acoustic characterization of the device showed a strong frequency stop-band for flexural waves. Such structures are suitable as frequency-selective acoustic mirrors in acousto-optic fiber devices.