The present invention relates to a surface interaction type multimode
optical fiber coupler. A representative embodiment of the present
invention comprises a plurality of optical fibers with each having an
expanded core section. The expanded core sections of the optical fibers
are fused together forming a fused section. Each of the optical fibers is
optically coupled with at least one other optical fiber primarily through
surface interaction in the fused section. The optical fibers are suitable
for multimode operations. According to an embodiment of the present
invention, a method of fabrication an optical fiber coupler comprises:
providing a plurality of optical fibers with each having an expanded core
section; and maintaining at least a portion of the expanded core sections
in contact and simultaneously heating at least a portion of the expanded
core sections that are in contact to form a fused section until a
predetermined end condition is reached.