Fabrication and Optical Characterization of Strain Variable PDMS Biconical Optical Fiber Taper

We demonstrate a promising fabrication technology and basic optical characteristics of prepared strain variable polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) biconical optical fiber taper. For its preparation, silicone elastomer Sylgard 184 was used. Strain dependence of the PDMS fiber taper shows up to 140% elastic elongation. In the process of elongation of the PDMS fiber taper, the measured intermodal interference points to its employment for different sensor applications and opens new areas for developing various types of strain variable PDMS optical fiber devices.