Extension of light transmission distance of single-mode fiber using a microaxicon-lensed fiber end.

The light signal through single-mode fiber is unstable, rapidly decays as it propagates, and has limited effective transmission distance. In this study, to extend its transmission distance, a microaxicon was designed at the single-mode fiber end and the emitted light analyzed via simulations and experiments. Results indicate that an 80 µm maximum transmission distance is achievable with the microaxicon at a 45° base angle. Further, the divergence angle of the light is reduced from 4.1° to 0.47°, its stability is improved by 97%, and the light spot is sharp at 70-80 µm away from the fiber end.