Microfiber-based inline Mach-Zehnder interferometer for dual-parameter measurement

An approach to realizing simultaneous measurement of refractive index (RI) and temperature based on a microfiber-based dual inline Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) is proposed and demonstrated. Due to different interference mechanisms, as one interference between the core mode and the lower order cladding mode in the sensing single-mode fiber and the other interference between the fundamental mode and the high-order mode in the multimode microfiber, the former interferometer achieves RI sensitivity of -23.67 nm/RIU and temperature sensitivity of 81.2 pm/oC, whereas those of the latter are 3820.23 nm/RIU, and -465.7 pm/oC, respectively. The large sensitivity differences can provide a more accurate demodulation of RI and temperature. The sensor is featured with multiparameters measurement, compact structure, high sensitivity, low cost, and easy fabrication.

Travelling waves in a complex Ginzburg-Landau equation with time-delay feedback

One of the simplest ways to create nonlinear oscillations is the Hopf bifurcation. The spatiotemporal dynamics observed in an extended medium with diffusion (e.g., a chemical reaction) undergoing this bifurcation is governed by the complex Ginzburg-Landau equation, one of the best-studied generic models for pattern formation, where besides uniform oscillations, spiral waves, coherent structures and turbulence are found. The presence of time delay terms in this equation changes the pattern formation scenario, and different kind of travelling waves have been reported. In particular, we study the complex Ginzburg-Landau equation that contains local and global time-delay feedback terms. We focus our attention on plane wave solutions in this model. The first novel result is the derivation of the plane wave solution in the presence of time-delay feedback with global and local contributions. The second and more important result of this study consists of a linear stability analysis of plane waves in that model. Evaluation of the eigenvalue equation does not show stabilisation of plane waves for the parameters studied. We discuss these results and compare to results of other models.

A lumped parameter model for the analysis of the motion of the muscles of the lower limbs under whole-body vibration

Through a lumped parameter modelling approach, a dynamical model, which can reproduce the motion of the muscles of a human body standing in different postures during Whole Body Vibrations (WBVs) treatment, has been developed. The key parameters, associated to the dynamics of the motion of the muscles of the lower limbs, have been identified starting from accelerometer measurements. The developed model can be usefully applied to the optimization of WBVs treatments which can effectively enhance muscle activation. © 2013 IEEE.

Microfiber Fabry-Perot interferometer for dual-parameter sensing

We propose and demonstrate a microfiber Fabry-Perot interferometer (MFPI) fabricated by taper-drawing microfiber at the center of a uniform fiber Bragg grating (FBG). The MFPI employing the two separated sections of FBG as reflectors and a length of microfiber as its cavity is derived. Theoretic study shows that the reflection spectrum of such MFPI is consisted of two parts-interference fringes induced by multi-beam interference and reflection spectrum envelope induced by FBGs. Temperature affects both interference fringes and reflection wavelength of FBGs while ambient refractive index (RI) only influences the interference fringes, i.e., MFPI has different response to temperature and RI. Therefore, MFPI for simultaneous sensing of RI and temperature is experimentally demonstrated by tracking a reflection peak of interference fringes and the Bragg wavelength of the FBGs, which are respectively assisted by frequency domain processing and Gaussian fitting of the optical spectrum. Consequently, wavelength measurement resolution of 0.5 pm is realized. © 1983-2012 IEEE.

Comments on multiple oscillatory solutions in systems with time-delay feedback

A complex Ginzburg-Landau equation subjected to local and global time-delay feedback terms is considered. In particular, multiple oscillatory solutions and their properties are studied. We present novel results regarding the disappearance of limit cycle solutions, derive analytical criteria for frequency degeneration, amplitude degeneration, frequency extrema. Furthermore, we discuss the influence of the phase shift parameter and show analytically that the stabilization of the steady state and the decay of all oscillations (amplitude death) cannot happen for global feedback only. Finally, we explain the onset of traveling wave patterns close to the regime of amplitude death.

Ginzburg-Landau turbulence in quasi-CW Raman fiber lasers

Fiber lasers operating via Raman gain or based on rare-earth-doped active fibers are widely used as sources of CW radiation. However, these lasers are only quasi-CW: their intensity fluctuates strongly on short time scales. Here the framework of the complex Ginzburg-Landau equations, which are well known as an efficient model of mode-locked fiber lasers, is applied for the description of quasi-CW fiber lasers. The vector Ginzburg-Landau model of a Raman fiber laser describes the experimentally observed turbulent-like intensity dynamics, as well as polarization rogue waves. Our results open debates about the common underlying physics of operation of very different laser types - quasi-CW lasers and passively mode-locked lasers. Fiber lasers operating via Raman gain or based on rare-earth-doped active fibers are widely used as sources of CW radiation. However, these lasers are only quasi-CW: their intensity fluctuates strongly on short time scales. Here the framework of the complex Ginzburg-Landau equations, which are well known as an efficient model of mode-locked fiber lasers, is applied for the description of quasi-CW fiber lasers. The vector Ginzburg-Landau model of a Raman fiber laser describes the experimentally observed turbulent-like intensity dynamics, as well as polarization rogue waves. Our results open debates about the common underlying physics of operation of very different laser types - quasi-CW lasers and passively mode-locked lasers.

Strongly localized moving discrete dissipative breather-solitons in Kerr nonlinear media supported by intrinsic gain

We investigate the mobility of nonlinear localized modes in a generalized discrete Ginzburg-Landau-type model, describing a one-dimensional waveguide array in an active Kerr medium with intrinsic, saturable gain and damping. It is shown that exponentially localized, traveling discrete dissipative breather-solitons may exist as stable attractors supported only by intrinsic properties of the medium, i.e., in the absence of any external field or symmetry-breaking perturbations. Through an interplay by the gain and damping effects, the moving soliton may overcome the Peierls-Nabarro barrier, present in the corresponding conservative system, by self-induced time-periodic oscillations of its power (norm) and energy (Hamiltonian), yielding exponential decays to zero with different rates in the forward and backward directions. In certain parameter windows, bistability appears between fast modes with small oscillations and slower, large-oscillation modes. The velocities and the oscillation periods are typically related by lattice commensurability and exhibit period-doubling bifurcations to chaotically "walking" modes under parameter variations. If the model is augmented by intersite Kerr nonlinearity, thereby reducing the Peierls-Nabarro barrier of the conservative system, the existence regime for moving solitons increases considerably, and a richer scenario appears including Hopf bifurcations to incommensurately moving solutions and phase-locking intervals. Stable moving breathers also survive in the presence of weak disorder. © 2014 American Physical Society.