Thermal effects on the photoelastic coefficient of polymer optical fibers

We measure the radial profile of the photoelastic coefficient C(r) in single-mode polymer optical fibers (POFs), and we determine the evolution of C(r) after annealing the fibers at temperatures from 40°C to 80°C. We demonstrate that C(r) in the fibers drawn from a preform without specific thermal pre-treatment changes and converges to values between 1.2 and 1.6×10-12 Pa-1 following annealing at 80°C. The annealed fibers display a smoothened radial profile of C(r) and a lowered residual birefringence. In contrast, the mean value of C(r) of the fiber drawn from a preform that has been pre-annealed remains constant after our annealing process and is significantly higher, i.e., 4×10-12 Pa-1. The annealing process decreases the residual birefringence to a lower extent as well. These measurements indicate the impact of annealing on the thermal stability of the photoelastic coefficient of POFs, which is an essential characteristic in view of developing POF-based thermomechanical sensors.

Optical activity in photorefractive Bi12TiO20

The influence of optical activity on two-wave mixing (TWM) in photorefractive BTO and BSO crystals in the absence of an applied field is studied both theoretically and experimentally. For the conventinal orientations of the grating vector, K [001] and K[001], the piezoelectric and photoelastic effects are either zero or negligible. This makes an analytical treatment of the TWM problem possible. We obtain an analytical solution for the coupled wave equations of TWM valid for arbitrary optical activity. This result is of special importance for BTO crystals. In these crystals under the condition of maximum energy transfer (|K|rD=1, where rD is the Debye radius) neither the approximation of small optical activity nor the one of dominating optical activity is applicable and our analytical solution becomes essential. Our experimental setup uses beams with a trapezoidal overlap that allows us to study the thickness-dependence of the gain in a single measurement. Experimental and theoretical results for a BTO crystal are compared with those for a BSO crystal and are explained in the framework of the model used.

Die load and stresses in press forging

Several axi-symmetric EN3B steel components differing in shape and size were forged on a 100 ton joint knuckle press. A load cell fitted under the lower die inserts recorded the total deformation forces. Job parameters were measured off the billets and the forged parts. Slug temperatures were varied and two lubricants - aqueous colloidal graphite and oil - were used. An industrial study was also conducted to check the results of the laboratory experiments. Loads were measured (with calibrated extensometers attached to the press frames) when adequately heated mild steel slugs were being forged in finishing dies. Geometric parameters relating to the jobs and the dies were obtained from works drawings. All the variables considered in the laboratory study could not, however, be investigated without disrupting production. In spite of this obvious limitation, the study confirmed that parting area is the most significant geometric factor influencing the forging load. Multiple regression analyses of the laboratory and industrial results showed that die loads increase significantly with the weights and parting areas of press forged components, and with the width to thickness ratios of the flashes formed, but diminish with increasing slug temperatures and higher billet diameter to height ratios. The analyses also showed that more complicated parts require greater loads to forge them. Die stresses, due to applied axial loads, were investigated by the photoelastic method. The three dimensional frozen stress technique was employed. Model dies were machined from cast araldite cylinders, and the slug material was simulated with plasticene. Test samples were cut from the centres of the dies after the stress freezing. Examination of the samples, and subsequent calculations, showed that the highest stresses were developed in die outer corners. This observation partly explains why corner cracking occurs frequently in industrial forging dies. Investigation of die contact during the forging operation revealed the development of very high stresses.

Optical activity in photorefractive Bi12TiO20

The influence of optical activity on two-wave mixing (TWM) in photorefractive BTO and BSO crystals in the absence of an applied field is studied both theoretically and experimentally. For the conventinal orientations of the grating vector, K [001] and K[001], the piezoelectric and photoelastic effects are either zero or negligible. This makes an analytical treatment of the TWM problem possible. We obtain an analytical solution for the coupled wave equations of TWM valid for arbitrary optical activity. This result is of special importance for BTO crystals. In these crystals under the condition of maximum energy transfer (|K|rD=1, where rD is the Debye radius) neither the approximation of small optical activity nor the one of dominating optical activity is applicable and our analytical solution becomes essential. Our experimental setup uses beams with a trapezoidal overlap that allows us to study the thickness-dependence of the gain in a single measurement. Experimental and theoretical results for a BTO crystal are compared with those for a BSO crystal and are explained in the framework of the model used.

Population lensing vs thermal lensing in Yb:YAG rods and disks

The induced lenses in the Yb:YAG rods and disks end-pumped by a Gaussian beam were analyzed both analytically and numerically. The thermally assisted mechanisms of the lens formation were considered to include: the conventional volume thermal index changes ("dn/dT"), the bulging of end faces, the photoelastic effect, and the bending (for a disk). The heat conduction equations (with an axial heat flux for a disk and a radial heat flux for a rod), and quasi-static thermoelastic equations (in the plane-stress approximation with free boundary conditions) were solved to find the thermal lens power. The population rate equation with saturation (by amplified spontaneous emission or an external wave) was examined to find the electronic lens power in the active elements.