Background
Laser micromachining processes have many advantages. They allow for micro-scale machining and are contact free, which means no surface contamination. In addition, laser welding makes it possible to fabricate components without adhesive for results that are more stable, durable, and shock resistant.
Solution
Using CO2 lasers, we developed a technique to weld optical fibers together (end-to-end and side-to-side) or onto a glass substrate. Laser welding is particularly useful for fusing large-diameter fibers as well as pieces of glass of very different dimensions. Usually, adhesives are required for this type of connection, but laser welding yields devices that are more robust, more durable, and more resistant to high lighting power densities.