Optimized non-linear effect tapered optical fiber and method of making same

A method of making a tapered optical fiber component from a length of optical fiber, the method comprising the steps of:

• defining a first region of an optical fiber from which an extended first region of the tapered optical fiber is to be formed;
• heating and drawing the first region with a broad flame to form an extended first region having a substantially constant diameter region, the extended first region having the characteristic of adiabatically concentrating the optical power density of an optical signal propagating there through;
• coupling an optical signal from a laser source into the first region;
• and
• heating the extended first region of the optical fiber with a concentrated flame while drawing the fiber down in diameter to form a minimum effective area region at a predetermined rate while monitoring the optical power out of the optical fiber for a predetermined beat signal.

A method of making an optimum Kerr effect tapered optical fiber component from a length of optical fiber having a jacket, a cladding and a core passing through the cladding, the jacket covering the cladding, comprising the steps of:

• removing the jacket material from a portion of the optical fiber to expose a length of the cladding material;
• coupling an optical signal from a laser source through the of optical fiber;
• monitoring the optical power out of the fiber for a predetermined beat signal;
• while
• tapering the length of the exposed cladding material to form an adiabatic taper to and from an effective area region having a substantially optimum or minimum effective area for a predetermined length.