Chirped fibre Bragg grating based multiplexer and demultiplexer for DWDM applications

A multiplexer/demultiplexer for 100 GHz channel spacing based on chirped fibre Bragg gratings with different bandwidths and optical circulators is presented. The spectral characteristics, specifications and operation of these passive devices are described, showing its potential use in dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) applications. © 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Refractive outcomes of laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy for myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism using a 213 nm wavelength solid-state laser

To study the visual and refractive outcomes after laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy (LASEK) performed with a 213 nm solid-state laser for a broad range of refractive errors.

Extended range interrogation of wavelength division multiplexed fibre Bragg grating sensors using an arrayed waveguide grating

A technique for interrogating multiplexed fibre Bragg grating (FBG) sensors using an arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) is described. The approach considerably extends the sensing range from that achieved previously, while providing a strain resolution of 17nevHz at 30 Hz.

Extended-range, low coherence dual wavelength interferometry using a superfluorescent fibre source and chirped fibre Bragg gratings

We describe an all-fibre, passive scheme for making extended range interferometric measurements based on the dual wavelength technique. The coherence tuned interferometer network is illuminated with a single superfluorescent fibre source at 1.55 µm and the two wavelengths are synthesised at the output by means of chirped fibre Bragg gratings. We demonstrate an unambiguous sensing range of 270 µm, with a dynamic range of 2.7 × 10 5.

High-resolution, wavelength-division-multiplexed in-fibre Bragg grating sensor system

A novel wavelength-division-multiplexed in-fibre Bragg grating sensor system combined with high resolution drift-compensated interferometric wavelength-shift detection is described. This crosstalk-free system is based on the use of an interferometric wavelength scanner and a low resolution spectrometer. A four element system is demonstrated for temperature measurement, and a resolution of ±0.1°C has been achieved.

Actively modelocked dual-wavelength fibre laser with ultra-low inter-pulse-stream timing jitter

We demonstrate a novel dual-wavelength erbium-fiber laser that uses a single nonlinear-optical loop mirror modulator to simultaneously modelock two cavities with chirped fiber Bragg gratings as end mirrors. We show that this configuration produces synchronized soliton pulse trains with an ultra-low RMS inter-pulse-stream timing jitter of 620 fs enabling application to multiwavelength systems at data rates in excess of 130 Gb/s.

Low jitter, long distance pulse transmission near net fibre dispersion zero wavelength

The authors study experimentally ~10 ps return-to-zero pulse propagation near the net dispersion zero of an optical fibre transmission line. Stable near-jitter-free propagation was observed over 70 Mm. Pulse stabilisation and ASE suppression were achieved through the saturable aborber mechanism of nonlinear polarisation rotation.

Wavelength-division and spatial multiplexing using tandem interferometers for Bragg grating sensor networks

We present a new method for the interrogation of large arrays of Bragg grating sensors. Eight gratings operating between the wavelengths of 1533 and 1555 nm have been demultiplexed. An unbalanced Mach—Zehnder interferometer illuminated by a single low-coherence source provides a high-phase-resolution output for each sensor, the outputs of which are sequentially selected in wavelength by a tunable Fabry-Perot interferometer. The minimum detectable strain measured was 90 ne-vHz at 7 Hz for a wavelength of 1535 nm.

Spatially-multiplexed fibre-optic Bragg grating strain and temperature sensor system based on interferometric wavelength-shift detection

A prototype fibre-optic system using interferometric wavelength-shift detection, capable of multiplexing up to 32 fibre-optic Bragg grating strain and temperature sensors with identical characteristics, has been demonstrated. This system is based on a spatially multiplexed scheme for use with fibre-based low-coherence interferometric sensors, reported previously. Four fibre-optic Bragg grating channels using the same fibre grating have been demonstrated for measuring quasi-static strain and temperature.

Improved supercontinuum generation by dispersion tuning and dual wavelength pumping

Supercontinuum generation in ultra-long Raman fibre laser cavities is compared for a range of fibre dispersions in the anomalous and normal regimes. For normal dispersion improved performance and efficiency is achieved using dual wavelength pumping.

Writing and characterisation methods for UV-photosensitivity based devices and their applications

The underlying work to this thesis focused on the exploitation and investigation of photosensitivity mechanisms in optical fibres and planar waveguides for the fabrication of advanced integrated optical devices for telecoms and sensing applications. One major scope is the improvement of grating fabrication specifications by introducing new writing techniques and the use of advanced characterisation methods for grating testing. For the first time the polarisation control method for advanced grating fabrication has successfully been converted to apodised planar waveguide fabrication and the development of a holographic method for the inscription of chirped gratings at arbitrary wavelength is presented. The latter resulted in the fabrication of gratings for pulse-width suppression and wavelength selection in diode lasers. In co-operation with research partners a number of samples were tested using optical frequency domain and optical low coherence reflectometry for a better insight into the limitations of grating writing techniques. Using a variety of different fabrication methods, custom apodised and chirped fibre Bragg gratings were written for the use as filter elements for multiplexer-demultiplexer devices, as well as for short pulse generation and wavelength selection in telecommunication transmission systems. Long period grating based devices in standard, speciality and tapered fibres are presented, showing great potential for multi-parameter sensing. One particular scope is the development of vectorial curvature and refractive index sensors with potential for medical, chemical and biological sensing. In addition the design of an optically tunable Mach-Zehnder based multiwavelength filter is introduced. The discovery of a Type IA grating type through overexposure of hydrogen loaded standard and Boron-Germanium co-doped fibres strengthened the assumption of UV-photosensitivity being a highly non-linear process. Gratings of this type show a significantly lower thermal sensitivity compared to standard gratings, which makes them useful for sensing applications. An Oxford Lasers copper-vapour laser operating at 255 nm in pulsed mode was used for their inscription, in contrast to previous work using CW-Argon-Ion lasers and contributing to differences in the processes of the photorefractive index change

An astigmatic wavelength meter

An astigmatic scheme of a laser wavelength meter based on a single air-gap Fizeau interferometer is described. For a multimode laser, the accuracy in determining the center of gravity of a spectrum is within 1GHz. Two complementary testing techniques are proposed for the instrument. By using them, it was shown for the first time that, for this type of meters, a systematic error arises and increases with a decrease in the radiation-spectrum width. The effect is periodic in the lasing frequency and results from a weak beam that is brought about by a reflection from the front surface of the interferometer. Moreover, in the previously designed optical schemes, this effect is so strong that unambiguous determination of the wavelength of a single-frequency radiation is impossible. The use of an astigmatic scheme helps additionally attenuate the influence of the third beam, thus eliminating the ambiguity in the results and reducing the absolute error to a value of ±1.5 GHz.

Bidirectional nonreciprocal wavelength-interleaving coherent fiber transversal filter

A bidirectional nonreciprocal wavelength-interleaving filter based on an optically coherent high birefringence fiber transversal filter structure is demonstrated. Stable, low loss, low dispersion, and high isolation operation is demonstrated with reconfigurable transfer characteristics for interleaved channel spacing of 0.8 nm.

Bragg Grating fast Tunable Filter For Wavelength Division Multiplexing

A Bragg grating fast tunable filter prototype working over a linear tuning range of 45 nm with a maximum tuning speed of 21 nm/ms has been realized. The tunable filter system is based on two piezoelectric stack actuators moving a mechanical device thus compressing an apodized fiber Bragg grating. The filter allows both traction and compression and can work in transmission and in reflection. It is designed to work with a channel spacing of 100 GHz according to the ITU specifications for wavelength division multiplexing systems

Single- and dual-wavelength switchable erbium-doped fiber ring laser based on intracavity polarization selective tilted fiber gratings

We propose and demonstrate a single- and dual-wavelength switchable erbium-doped fiber laser (EDFL) by utilizing intracavity polarization selective filters based on tilted fiber gratings (TFGs). In the cavity, one 45° TFG functions as an in-fiber polarizer and the other 77° TFG is used as a fiber polarization dependent loss (PDL) filter. The combined polarization effect from these two TFGs enables the laser to switch between the single- and the dual-wavelength operation with a single-polarization state at room temperature. The laser output at each wavelength shows an optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) of >60 dB, a side mode suppression ratio (SMSR) of >50 dB, and a polarization extinction ratio of ~35 dB. The proposed EDFL can give stable output under laboratory conditions.