Background
Fabricating fiber components and optical fiber sensors may require fiber shaping. This operation is now possible through CO2 laser machining. It may be necessary to change the shape of fibers to make them more sensitive to certain environmental parameters or to obtain a specific encapsulation. The CO2 laser can be used as a controllable and pointable source of heat. This adds considerable flexibility and versatility to the process.
Solution
We use laser machining and local heating to stretch, shrink, and fold optical fibers.