UV laser photofabrication of waveguide couplers using self-patterning organic-inorganic hybrids

Planar waveguides with controlled refractive index were produced using thin films of sol-gel derived organic-inorganic hybrids, so called di-ureasils. Spectroscopic ellipsometry was used to characterize the films thickness and refractive index. UV-laser direct-writing method was used to produce Y-splitter structures with coupling ratio of 50% without the need of photoinitiators.

Highly refractive index sensitive femtosecond laser inscribed long period gratings

The distinct behaviour of femtosecond laser inscribed long period gratings, with a non-uniform index perturbation within the optical fibre core, has been studied experimentally. The non-uniform laser-induced perturbation results in light coupling from the core mode to a greater number of cladding modes than is the case with their UV laser inscribed counterparts, and this is made evident from the surrounding refractive index (SRI) grating response. Femtosecond inscribed long period gratings are shown to simultaneously couple to multiple sets of cladding modes. A 400μm LPG is shown to result in attenuation peaks that have both blue and red wavelength shifts over a 1250nm to 1700nm wavelength range. This gives rise to SRI sensitivities far greater than anything achievable by monitoring a single attenuation peak. The maximum sensitivity produced by monitoring a single attenuation peak was 1106nm/RIU, whereas monitoring opposing wavelength shifts resulted in a significantly improved sensitivity of 1680nm/RIU. © 2011 Copyright Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE).

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

Low refractive index gas sensing using a Surface Plasmon Resonance fibre device

A series of surface plasmonic fibre devices were fabricated using multiple coatings deposited on a lapped section of a single mode fibre. Coupling from the guided mode to surface plasmons was promoted following UV laser irradiation of the coated region through a phase mask, which generated a surface relief grating structure. The devices showed high spectral sensitivities and strong coupling for low refractive indices as compared to other grating-type fibre devices. The plasmonic devices were used to detect the variation in the refractive indices of alkane gases with measured wavelength and coupling sensitivity to index of 3400 nm RIU-1 and 8300 dB RIU-1, respectively. As a demonstration of the performance of these gas sensors, a minimum concentration of 2% by volume of butane in ethane was achieved.

Microchanneled chirped fibre Bragg gratings for simultaneous refractive index and temperature measurements

We report here the fabrication, charaterisation and refractive index sensing of two microchanneled chirped fiber Bragg gratings (MCFBGs) with different channel sizes (~550µm and ~1000µm). The chirped grating structures were UV-inscribed in optical fibre and the microchannels were created in the middle of the CFBGs by femtosecond (fs) laser assisted chemical etching method. The creation of microchannels in the CFBG structures gives an access to the external index liquid, thus inducing refractive index (RI) sensitivity to the structure. In comparison with previously reported FBG based RI sensors, for which the cladding layers usually were removed, the MCFBGs represent a more ideal solution for robust devices as the microchannel will not degrade the structure strength. The two MCFBGs were spectrally charaterised for their RI and temperature responses and both gratings exhibited unique thermal and RI sensitivities, which may be utilised for implementation of bio-chemical sensors with capability to eliminate temperature crosssensitivity.

Optical chemsensors utilizing long-period fiber gratings UV-inscribed in D-fiber with enhanced sensitivity through cladding etching

A novel implementation of an optical chemsensor device is reported based on long-period fiber grating structures ultraviolet-inscribed in D-fiber, with sensitivity enhancement by cladding etching. The results of a comparative study using D-fiber devices and similar structures in standard optical fiber reveal that the D-fiber devices offer substantially greater sensitivity both with and without etching. Based on a calibrated response to changes in refractive index, the grating devices have been used to measure the concentrations of aqueous sugar solutions, demonstrating the potential capability to detect concentration changes as small as 0.2%.

Simultaneous measurement of temperature and external refractive index by use of a hybrid grating in D fiber with enhanced sensitivity by HF etching

We propose a dual-parameter optical sensor device achieved by UV inscription of a hybrid long-period grating-fiber Bragg grating structure in D fiber. The hybrid configuration permits the detection of the temperature from the latter's response and measurement of the external refractive index from the former's response. In addition, the host D fiber permits effective modification of the device's sensitivity by cladding etching. The grating sensor has been used to measure the concentrations of aqueous sugar solutions, demonstrating its potential capability to detect concentration changes as small as 0.01%.

Enhanced spectral sensitivity of fibre long period gratings to refractive index of aqueous solutions utilising copper patterned coatings

A set of long period grating devices have been fabricated in photosensitive single mode fibre coated with a series of copper rings (period of 380μm, 50% duty cycle and length of 4cm). The long period gratings were inscribed with a uniform UV-laser exposure across the entire length of the copper ring patterned coating. The devices ranged in copper thickness from 0.5μm to 1.5μm. In addition, a control long period grating was fabricated in the same type of fibre with the same period for comparison. The refractive index and temperature spectral sensitivity of these devices were investigated and it was found that the index and temperature sensitivity is a function of the thickness of the copper rings, as supported by theoretical modelling. Furthermore, the index sensitivity of these devices in the 1.333 index region is greater than the control long period grating. The patterned 0.5μm coated long period grating gave a sensitivity of Δλ/Δn = -74 nm leading to a resolution of 1.4×10-3 compared to the control which had a sensitivity of Δλ/Δn = -32 nm with a resolution of 3.2×10-3 in the index region of 1.320 to 1.380 (aqueous solution regime). This demonstrates a two fold increase in the sensitivity. This novel fibre long period grating device shows potential for increasing the resolution of measurements of the index of aqueous solutions.

Optical sensor based on hybrid LPG/FBG in D-fiber for simultaneous refractive index and temperature measurement

A dual-parameter optical sensor has been realized by UV-writing a long-period and a Bragg grating structure in D-fiber. The hybrid configuration permits the detection of the temperature from the latter and measuring the external refractive index from the former responses, respectively. The employment of the D-fiber allows as effective modification and enhancement of the device sensitivity by cladding etching. The grating sensor has been used to measure the concentrations of aqueous sugar solutions, demonstrating the potential capability to detect concentration changes as small as 0.01%.

Microchanneled chirped fibre Bragg gratings for simultaneous refractive index and temperature measurements

We report here the fabrication, charaterisation and refractive index sensing of two microchanneled chirped fiber Bragg gratings (MCFBGs) with different channel sizes (~550µm and ~1000µm). The chirped grating structures were UV-inscribed in optical fibre and the microchannels were created in the middle of the CFBGs by femtosecond (fs) laser assisted chemical etching method. The creation of microchannels in the CFBG structures gives an access to the external index liquid, thus inducing refractive index (RI) sensitivity to the structure. In comparison with previously reported FBG based RI sensors, for which the cladding layers usually were removed, the MCFBGs represent a more ideal solution for robust devices as the microchannel will not degrade the structure strength. The two MCFBGs were spectrally charaterised for their RI and temperature responses and both gratings exhibited unique thermal and RI sensitivities, which may be utilised for implementation of bio-chemical sensors with capability to eliminate temperature crosssensitivity.

Optical chemsensors utilizing long-period fiber gratings UV-inscribed in D-fiber with enhanced sensitivity through cladding etching

A novel implementation of an optical chemsensor device is reported based on long-period fiber grating structures ultraviolet-inscribed in D-fiber, with sensitivity enhancement by cladding etching. The results of a comparative study using D-fiber devices and similar structures in standard optical fiber reveal that the D-fiber devices offer substantially greater sensitivity both with and without etching. Based on a calibrated response to changes in refractive index, the grating devices have been used to measure the concentrations of aqueous sugar solutions, demonstrating the potential capability to detect concentration changes as small as 0.2%.

Simultaneous measurement of temperature and external refractive index by use of a hybrid grating in D fiber with enhanced sensitivity by HF etching

We propose a dual-parameter optical sensor device achieved by UV inscription of a hybrid long-period grating-fiber Bragg grating structure in D fiber. The hybrid configuration permits the detection of the temperature from the latter's response and measurement of the external refractive index from the former's response. In addition, the host D fiber permits effective modification of the device's sensitivity by cladding etching. The grating sensor has been used to measure the concentrations of aqueous sugar solutions, demonstrating its potential capability to detect concentration changes as small as 0.01%.

Photosensitivity mechanism of undoped poly(methyl methacrylate) under UV radiation at 325 nm and its spatial resolution limit

In this Letter, we provide evidence suggesting that the main photosensitive mechanism of an undoped poly(methyl methacrylate)-based microstructured optical fiber under UV radiation at 325 nm is a competitive process of both photodegradation and polymerization. We found experimentally that increasing strain during photo-inscription leads to an increased photosensitivity, which is evidence of photodegradation. Likewise, refractive index change in the fiber was measured to be positive, which provides evidence for further polymerization of the material. Finally, we relate the data obtained to the spatial recording resolution of the samples. © 2014 Optical Society of America.

Optical biochemical sensors based on long-period fibre gratings UV-inscribed in D-fibre with enhanced sensitivity by HF etching process

We report a new concept of biochemical sensor device based on long-period grating structures UV-inscribed in D-fiber. The surrounding-medium refractive index sensitivity of the devices has been enhanced significantly by a hydrofluoric acid etching process. The devices have been used to measure the sugar concentrations showing clearly an encoding relation between the chemical concentration and the grating spectral response, demonstrating their capability for potential biochemical sensing applications.