Reduced Fresnel losses in chalcogenide fibers by using anti-reflective surface structures on fiber end faces.

ABSTRACT

We demonstrate microstructuring of chalcogenide fiber end faces in order to obtain enhanced transmission due to the antireflective properties of the microstructured surfaces. A variety of molding approaches have been investigated for As(2)S(3) and As(2)Se(3) fibers. Transmission as high as 97% per facet was obtained in the case of As(2)S(3) fiber, compared to the native, Fresnel-loss limited, transmission of 83%. The potential for hydrophobic character was also demonstrated by increasing the contact angle of water droplets to greater than 120°.