US Patent 7336872 Localized annealing of UV induced index grating in optical waveguides

A method for producing a Bragg grating in an optical waveguide device such as an optical fiber. The optical fiber is exposed to a UV source through a phase mask and this produces a Bragg grating on the fiber. The grating on the fiber is overexposed such that the gratings are stronger than desired. The fiber is then annealed to stabilize the gratings left behind. The gratings left behind are still stronger than desired. The fiber is then exposed to a point source laser that reduces the index change for selected portions. This trims the existing grating to result in the desired grating strength.