Spatial Coupling Efficiency of Collimators Based on Gradient-Index Lens with an Angle Polish

As high coupling efficiency and return loss are crucial in fiber-optic transmission systems, they have attracted widespread attention. This study proposes a ray-transfer matrix-based mathematical analysis method and experimentally demonstrates a collimator based on a gradient-index lens with an angle polish. The propagation characteristics and coupling mechanisms of the collimators are introduced. A beam-steering technology based on a wedge prism and flat glass is proposed to improve the coupling efficiency of the Gaussian beam using colli-mators. The proposed method is validated via simulation and experiment. The results are significant in free-space optical communication, optical signal processing, and optical fiber connectors.