[en] Short tapered fiber sections 3–10 mm in length and 12–20 microns in diameter were fabricated through the partial etch removal of the outer silica cladding. ZnTe and Bi₂Te₃ crystalline films 1–60 nm thick were subsequently applied to the surface of the tapered fiber sections using metalorganic chemical vapor deposition. Transmission spectra of the taper were recorded within the wavelength region of 1–1.6 μm at regular intervals whilst the deposition. Strong decreases in transmission in relatively narrow spectral bands were observed. The results can be applied to lossy mode resonance fiber sensors and passively mode-locked pulsed fiber laser designs. (paper)