Abstract This article discusses procedures for production of tapered fibers in different diameters (tapers) and Bragg gratings writing (tFBG) in such fibers. The reflection spectra in different tFBGs are compared with a FBG written in standard single-mode fiber (SMF28). The gratings were characterized in terms of their thermal sensitivity. Values reasonably close to 11 pm/°C were expected and were obtained in the different gratings in tapers, confirming that the thermo-optical coefficient is predominant in relation to thermal expansion in gratings written in tapered fibers.

Abstract: We present a new procedure for protecting micro-optical fibers (tapered fibers) by using the 3-dimension (3D) printing technology. A standard single-mode optical fiber was tapered down to the diameter of 1 mu m and embedded in a polymeric matrix obtained by an additive manufacturing routine. We show that the proposed structure protects the fiber taper against environmental humidity while keeping permeability to gas flow and the possibility of the realization of gas detection experiments. To our knowledge, this is the first time 3D printed casings were applied to protect fiber tapers from humidity deterioration. We envisage this new approach will allow the development of new fiber taper devices to better resist in humid environments