Fiber grating type dependence of temperature and strain coefficients and application to simultaneous temperature and strain measurement

Although fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) have been widely used as advanced optical sensors, the cross-sensitivity between temperature and strain has complicated independent measurement procedures for these two measurands. We report here, for the first time to our knowledge, the results of a systematic investigation of the dependence of both temperature and strain sensitivities on the grating type, including the well-known Type I, Type IIA, and a new type which we have designated Type IA, using both hydrogen-free and hydrogenated B/Ge codoped fibers. We have identified distinct sensitivity characteristics for each grating type, and we have utilised them to implement a novel dual-grating, dual-parameter sensor device with performance superior to that of previously reported grating-based structures.

Super-high temperature sensitivity of long-period gratings in B/Ge co-doped fiber

Long period fiber grating (LPFG) can be used as active gain controlling device in EDFA. However, LPFGs fabricated in the standard telecom fiber only have a typical temperature sensitivity of 3-10nm/100°C, which may not be sufficient for implementing tuneable filters capable of wide tuning range and high tuning efficiency. In this paper, we report a theoretical and experimental investigation of thermal properties of LPFGs fabricated in B/Ge co-doped optical fiber. We have found that the temperature sensitivity of the LPFGs in the B/Ge fiber is considerably increased compared with those produced in the standard fiber. The LPFGs written in the B/Ge fiber have achieved, on average, one order of magnitude higher sensitivity than that of the LPFGs produced in the standard telecom fiber. We have also identified that the thermal response of LPFG is strongly dependent on the order of the coupled resonant cladding mode. The maximum sensitivity of 1.75nm/°C achieved by the 10th cladding mode of the 240μm LPFG is nearly 24 times that of the minimum value (0.075nm/C) exhibited by the 30th mode of the 34μm LPFG. Such devices may lead to high-efficiency and low-cost thermal/electrical tunable loss filters or sensors with extremely high temperature resolution.

Band-pass filter with flat time delay response based on fiber grating Sagnac loop

We have developed the analytic expressions for the phase response and time delay of FBGSL of arbitrary grating structure and found that the results from the modelling are in excellent agreement with that of the experimentally measured real devices. The theoretical and experimental investigation clearly reveals that FBGSLs utilizing uniform and linearly chirped gratings exhibit a near-constant time delay in the passbands. Such multi-channel bandpass filters should be highly attractive to WDM applications as they are operating in transmission regime and offering near-zero dispersion.

Highly sensitive liquid level monitoring system utilizing polymer fiber Bragg gratings

A novel and highly sensitive liquid level sensor based on a polymer optical fiber Bragg grating (POFBG) is experimentally demonstrated. Two different configurations are studied and both configurations show the potential to interrogate liquid level by measuring the strain induced in a POFBG embedded in a silicone rubber diaphragm, which deforms due to hydrostatic pressure variations. The sensor exhibits a highly linear response over the sensing range and a good repeatability. For comparison, a similar sensor using a FBG inscribed in silica fiber is fabricated, which displays a sensitivity that is a factor of 5 smaller than the POFBG. The temperature sensitivity is studied and a novel multi-sensor arrangement proposed which has the potential to provide level readings independent of temperature and the liquid density.

Humidity insensitive TOPAS polymer fiber Bragg grating sensor

We report the first experimental demonstration of a humidity insensitive polymer optical fiber Bragg grating (FBG), as well as the first FBG recorded in a TOPAS polymer optical fiber in the important low loss 850nm spectral region. For the demonstration we have fabricated FBGs with resonance wavelength around 850 nm and 1550 nm in single-mode microstructured polymer optical fibers made of TOPAS and the conventional poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). Characterization of the FBGs shows that the TOPAS FBG is more than 50 times less sensitive to humidity than the conventional PMMA FBG in both wavelength regimes. This makes the TOPAS FBG very appealing for sensing applications as it appears to solve the humidity sensitivity problem suffered by the PMMA FBG. © 2011 Optical Society of America.

Compact sensors based on cascaded single-mode-multimode-single-mode fiber structures

Concatenated single-mode-multimode-single-mode (SMS) structures are demonstrated as functional sensing platforms. The devices are fabricated by periodically inserting micrometric sections of multimode optical fiber (MMF) in a single-mode fiber (SMF). The periodic change of the core diameter produces a single strong resonant transmission notch, tunable in the wavelength range from 1200 to 1600 nm. It was found that the position of the notch changed with temperature and refractive index. The devices introduced here are highly compact (length less than 5 mm), simple to fabricate and robust; hence, they are adequate for diverse sensing applications. © 2013 The Japan Society of Applied Physics.

Highly sensitive, localized surface plasmon resonance fiber device for environmental sensing, based upon a structured bi-metal array of nano-wires

We demonstrate a bi-metal coated (platinum and gold or silver), localized surface plasmon resonance fiber sensor with an index sensitivity exceeding 11,900 nm/RIU, yielding an index resolution of 2 × 10-5 in the aqueous index regime. This is one of the highest index sensitivities achieved with an optical fiber sensor. The coatings consist of arrays of bi-metal nano-wires (typically 36 nm in radius and 20 μm in length), supported by a silicon dioxide thin film on a thin substrate of germanium, the nano-wires being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the D-shaped fiber.

A self-referenced optical intensity sensor network using POFBGs for biomedical applications

This work bridges the gap between the remote interrogation of multiple optical sensors and the advantages of using inherently biocompatible low-cost polymer optical fiber (POF)-based photonic sensing. A novel hybrid sensor network combining both silica fiber Bragg gratings (FBG) and polymer FBGs (POFBG) is analyzed. The topology is compatible with WDM networks so multiple remote sensors can be addressed providing high scalability. A central monitoring unit with virtual data processing is implemented, which could be remotely located up to units of km away. The feasibility of the proposed solution for potential medical environments and biomedical applications is shown.

Numerical modelling of complex femtosecond laser inscribed fiber gratings - comparison wih experiment

We present experimental studies and numerical modeling based on a combination of the Bidirectional Beam Propagation Method and Finite Element Modeling that completely describes the wavelength spectra of point by point femtosecond laser inscribed fiber Bragg gratings, showing excellent agreement with experiment. We have investigated the dependence of different spectral parameters such as insertion loss, all dominant cladding and ghost modes and their shape relative to the position of the fiber Bragg grating in the core of the fiber. Our model is validated by comparing model predictions with experimental data and allows for predictive modeling of the gratings. We expand our analysis to more complicated structures, where we introduce symmetry breaking; this highlights the importance of centered gratings and how maintaining symmetry contributes to the overall spectral quality of the inscribed Bragg gratings. Finally, the numerical modeling is applied to superstructure gratings and a comparison with experimental results reveals a capability for dealing with complex grating structures that can be designed with particular wavelength characteristics.

Remotely tuneable optical filter based on polymer fibre Bragg grating

We propose a remotely tuneable optical Bragg grating filter written in polymer optical fibre (POF). Fibre optical pumping in the fibre's absorption bands increases the fibre temperature, which causes a negative wavelength change of the POF Bragg grating. By choosing a proper pumping wavelength remote tuning of the optical filter can be readily realized without changing the gain of the optical signal.

Photonic crystal fiber Bragg grating based sensors:opportunities for applications in healthcare

We review the state-of-the-art in photonic crystal fiber (PCF) and microstructured polymer optical fiber (mPOF) based mechanical sensing. We first introduce how the unique properties of PCF can benefit Bragg grating based temperature insensitive pressure and transverse load sensing. Then we describe how the latest developments in mPOF Bragg grating technology can enhance optical fiber pressure sensing. Finally we explain how the integration of specialty fiber sensor technology with bio-compatible polymer based micro-technology provides great opportunities for fiber sensors in the field of healthcare.

Free water in fuel sensor using fiber long period grating

A fiber optic free water in fuel (WIF) sensor is proposed by utilizing a long period fiber grating (LPFG). The existence of free water in fuel is indicated by the appearance of a characteristic loss band. The free water level in fuel can be determined by measuring the transmissions of two characteristic loss bands.

Acousto-optic modulation in a microstructured plastic optical fibre Bragg grating

The present work addresses the control of the mPOF Bragg grating spectrum properties through acousto-optic modulation. For the first time, the interaction of a flexural acoustic wave, generated by longitudinal excitation of different frequencies, with the Bragg grating will be presented. Also it will be demonstrated the quasi linear relationship between PZT load and maximum reflected power/ 3dB bandwidth of the reflected spectrum.

A refractometer based on a micro-slot in a fiber Bragg grating formed by chemically assisted femtosecond laser processing

A liquid core waveguide as a refractometer is proposed. Microtunnels were created in standard optical fiber using tightly focused femtoscond laser inscription and chemical etching. A 1.2(h)×l25(d) ×500(1) μm micro-slot engraved along a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) was used to construct liquid core waveguide by filling the slot with index matching oils. The device was used to measure refractive index and sensitivity up to 10-6/pm was obtained. © 2007 Optical Society of America.

Mode-locked fiber lasers with significant variability of generation regimes

We demonstrate a great variability of single-pulse (with only one pulse/wave-packet traveling along the cavity) generation regimes in fiber lasers passively mode-locked by non-linear polarization evolution (NPE) effect. Combining extensive numerical modeling and experimental studies, we identify multiple very distinct lasing regimes with a rich variety of dynamic behavior and a remarkably broad spread of key parameters (by an order of magnitude and more) of the generated pulses. Such a broad range of variability of possible lasing regimes necessitates developing techniques for control/adjustment of such key pulse parameters as duration, radiation spectrum, and the shape of the auto-correlation function. From a practical view point, availability of pulses/wave-packets with such different characteristics from the same laser makes it imperative to develop variability-aware designs with control techniques and methods to select appropriate application-oriented regimes. © 2014 The Authors.