Specialty Optical Fibers Handbook

back-reflection can cause the fiber distal end termination or a sharp bend point

in the fiber itself to overheat and self-destruct. Similarly, when used on the input

end, the angle can dramatically reduce back-reflection into the source laser. Such

back-reflection can damage optical components, generate signal noise, and

create instability in the laser source. In either case, the reflected power is dumped

into some type of absorbing heat sink, which effectively dissipates the energy

without destroying the optical fiber assembly or creating a safety hazard

(Fig. 18.18).

18.6 OPTICAL DETECTION WINDOWS FOR

MICROFLUIDIC FLOW CELLS

Optical detection windows ...