Laser welding of optical fibers to substrates

A system for laser welding a fiber to a substrate, the system comprising:

• a fiber having a first end and a second end;
• a substrate defining a surface;
• a coating positioned between the fiber and the substrate, wherein the coating comprises an inorganic thin metal coating having a thickness of less than about 100 nanometers;
• a laser configured to emit photonic energy through the fiber or through the substrate;
• one or more processors;
• and
• memory including computer readable code configured to, when executed, cause the one or more processors to perform tasks comprising:
• positioning the fiber relative to the substrate so that the first end of the fiber is positioned proximate to the surface of the substrate with the coating positioned between the fiber and the substrate;
• positioning the laser relative to the fiber or the substrate;
• and
• causing the laser to emit the photonic energy through the fiber or through the substrate, wherein emission of the photonic energy causes the fiber to be laser welded to the substrate,
• wherein the fiber is configured to emit light out of the fiber and towards the substrate in an optical path, and
• wherein no epoxies or organic adhesives are positioned within the optical path.