Mullaney, KevinGoncalves Correia, RicardoStaines, Stephen E.James, Stephen W.Tatam, Ralph P.2016-09-022016-09-022015-10-01Kevin Mullaney, Ricardo Correia, Stephen E. Staines, Stephen W. James, and Ralph P. Tatam. Monitoring techniques for the manufacture of tapered optical fibers. Environmental Technology, Vol. 54, Issue 28, pp8531-8536 (2015)1559-128Xhttp://dx.doi.org/10.1364/AO.54.008531https://dspace.lib.cranfield.ac.uk/handle/1826/10488The use of a range of optical techniques to monitor the process of fabricating optical fiber tapers is investigated. Thermal imaging was used to optimize the alignment of the optical system; the transmission spectrum of the fiber was monitored to confirm that the tapers had the required optical properties and the strain induced in the fiber during tapering was monitored using in-line optical fiber Bragg gratings. Tapers were fabricated with diameters down to 5 μm and with waist lengths of 20 mm using single-mode SMF-28 fiber.en© 2015 Optical Society of America. This is the Author Accepted Manuscript. One print or electronic copy may be made for personal use only. Systematic reproduction and distribution, duplication of any material in this paper for a fee or for commercial purposes, or modifications of the content of this paper are prohibited.Article