Polymer Optical Fiber Bragg Gratings

Polymer optical fibers (POFs) have been regarded as a viable alternative to silica fibers in a variety of sensing applications. Fiber optic sensors offer key advantages over other sensing technologies, which include immunity to electromagnetic interference, compact, lightweight, multiplexing capability, and higher sensitivity. This book gives an overview of the polymer optical fiber Bragg grating (POFBG) technology over the last 20 years, covering aspects related to the fiber Bragg grating fabrication and also sensing applications. The book is split into five chapters, and it is written in such a way that can provide a comprehensive and simple route to new users, scientists and engineers working or wishing to work in the field of POFBGs: Describes the systems commonly employed for producing fiber Braggs gratings (FBGs) in silica fibers that can be used for the production of POFBGs; Explores different laser sources for the inscription of POFBGs; Explores the capability of using this technology at the visible and infrared region, in different fiber types (e.g., step-index, microstructured, unclad, highly birefringent) and in fibers composed of different polymer materials such as PMMA, doped PMMA, PS and ZEONEX; Reports the fabrication of different types of POF gratings, such as uniform, phase-shifted, tilted, chirped, and long-period gratings; Shows the opportunities of POFBGs for a variety of sensing applications. The insight to the use of POFBGs provides a vision for the opportunities of this fiber optic technology.

Polymer Optical Fibers summarizes research activities on polymer optical fibers to offer a complete perspective on this emerging topic. Polymer optical fibers are in great demand for the transmission and processing of optical communications compatible with the Internet, which is one of the fastest growing industries of modern times. This book is aimed to bring together, under a single cover, all aspects of plastic optical fibers including different classes of polymers; fiber fabrication techniques; laser sources used for optical fibers, mechanical properties; photosensitivity; poling and second harmonic generation; adhesion; donor-acceptor properties of surfaces; protective coatings; water resistance; stress corrosion; mechanical stability and deformation characteristics; temperature and pressure sensitivity; fiber elongation; optical fiber attenuation; planar optical waveguides; fiber gratings; refractive index distribution and their potential applications in telecommunication and high capacity transmission systems; WDM systems; gigabit ethernet; power splitters and couplers; amplifiers; sensors; filters; lenses; scramblers; integrated optical devices; frequency up-conversion; etc.

This book presents the basic principles of optical sensor technology in line with the tremendous development in the concept of optical fibers. In the first four chapters, the book discusses the basic principles of optical sensor technology in a simplified manner, making it suitable for all levels of study and research. The seven remaining chapters are concerned with the practical applications of optical sensor technology in all fields such as oil and gas, civil engineering, medical and military fields and harsh environments.

Provides an overview of Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBGs), from fundamentals to applications Evaluates the advantages and disadvantages of particular applications, methods and techniques Contains new chapters on sensing, femtosecond laser writing of FBGs and poling of glass and optical fibers Includes a special version of the photonic simulator PicWave(tm), allowing the reader to make live simulations of many of the example devices presented in the book. This fully revised, updated and expanded second edition covers the substantial advances in the manufacture and use of FBGs in the years since the publication of the pioneering first edition. It presents a comprehensive treatise on FBGs and addresses issues such as the merits of one solution over another; why particular fabrication methods are preferred; and what advantages a user may gain from certain techniques. Beginning with the principles of FBGs, the book progresses to discuss photosensitization of optical fibers, Bragg grating fabrication and theory, properties of gratings, specific applications, sensing technology, glass poling, advances in femtosecond laser writing of Bragg gratings and FBG measurement techniques. In addition to material on telecommunications usage of FBGs, application areas such as fiber lasers and sensors are addressed in greater detail. This special version of Picwave is limited to modelling only the passive fibre devices covered in this book. However the full PicWave package is capable of modelling other non-linear and active devices such as laser diodes and SOAs as discussed in Chapter 8. More information about PicWave can be found at www.photond.com/products/picwave.htm. In addition to researchers, scientists, and graduate students, this book will be of interest to industrial practitioners in the field of fabrication of fiber optic materials and devices. Raman Kashyap, Canada Research Chair holder on Future Photonics Systems, and Professor at École Polytechnique, University of Montréal since 2003, has researched optical fibers and devices for over 30 years. He pioneered the fabrication of FBGs and applications in telecommunications and photonics. Provides an overview of Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBGs), from fundamentals to applications Evaluates the advantages and disadvantages of particular applications, methods and techniques Contains new chapters on sensing, femtosecond laser writing of FBGs and poling of glass and optical fibers Includes a special version of the photonic simulator PicWave(tm), allowing the reader to make live simulations of many of the example devices presented in the book

D-STAR Technologies, Inc. has developed a technique for writing gratings through the polymer coating of commercially available optical fibers. In this Phase I project we discovered how to make our gratings thermally stable without destroying their polymer coating. This last discovery is an exciting breakthrough, for without it D-STAR's gratings would not have been commercially attractive. D-STAR now has the ability to both write and anneal gratings without removing their polymer coating. D-STAR's near-UV grating fabrication technique is a practical and inexpensive alternative for producing fiber gratings for diode laser stabilization, sensors and filters. We demonstrated that the concentration of germanium oxygen-deficient centers in the fiber core correlates well with the photosensitivity of fibers, and this concentration can vary by a factor of approx. 2 in supposedly identical fibers according to the detailed fiber preparation conditions. We showed that tin-doped fibers may prove useful for extending the response of hydrogen-loaded fibers into the near UV and visible. A plastic phase mask with a polymer film is feasible for fabrication of Bragg gratings using near UV light, but the absorption of the polymer film must be decreased to prevent its thermal damage.

Plastic Optical Fiber Sensors cover the fundamentals and applications of a new class of fiber sensors. With contributions from leading academics in the area, this book covers the theory of plastic optical fiber sensors or (POFs), as well as applications in oil, gas, biotechnology, and energy fields. Using multiple examples, the editors showcase the advantageous characteristics of POFs, such as ease of handling, large diameter, inexpensive peripheral components and simple termination tools. By doing so, the editors assert that there has been a proliferation of the use of POFs in new consumer products. The book also highlights uses for building various products, such as a POF sensor for oil trucker valve monitoring, a monitoring system for high voltage substation switch, an oil leaking sensor for offshore platforms and a solar tracker for illumination. Including over 300 black and white images, this book would be highly beneficial for professionals in manufacturing as well as academics in universities, particularly those who use optical fiber sensors on a regular basis.