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The Magic of Lasers: What Technologies Make Fiber Bragg Gratings Possible?
Fiber Bragg grating (FBG) is an important component widely used in optical communication and measurement systems, which can reflect light of specific wavelengths. However, the technological advances behind this are little known. Since 1978, the development of fiber Bragg grating has gone through several stages, each stage was accompanied by breakthroughs and innovations in laser technology.
Fiber Bragg gratings create a periodic refractive index variation within an optical fiber, which enables it to reflect and transmit light according to wavelength.
The earliest fiber Bragg gratings were first demonstrated in 1978 by Ken Hill, whose work relied primarily on visible light lasers. However, the real game-changer was the introduction of lateral holographic writing by George Merz and his colleagues in 1989, which allowed the laser to illuminate the optical fiber from the side, greatly improving the manufacturing flexibility of fiber Bragg gratings.
How Fiber Bragg Gratings Work
Fiber Bragg gratings operate based on the Fresnel reflection principle. When light propagates between media with different refractive indices, it is reflected and refracted at the interface. The reflection wavelength of a fiber Bragg grating (often called the Bragg wavelength) depends on the effective refractive index of the fiber core and the grating period. ”
These fiber Bragg gratings can not only act as optical filters, but also have applications in sensing and wavelength-specific reflection. Their potential is as amazing as that of a laser.
Diversification and types of fiber Bragg gratings
Looking at current research, fiber Bragg gratings can be of many different types, including standard fiber Bragg gratings, type IA fiber Bragg gratings, and regenerative fiber Bragg gratings that have emerged in recent years. These different types of lenses exhibit significant differences in physical properties, particularly in high temperature resistance and temperature response.
Standard fiber Bragg gratings are the most common type today. They are made in hydrogenated and non-hydrogenated fibers and are typically highly reflective and can effectively block specific wavelengths of light.
Today, standard fiber Bragg gratings are almost ubiquitous and play an indispensable role in both communication and sensing applications.
Modern manufacturing technology
Modern fiber Bragg grating manufacturing technology has greatly improved its efficiency and programmability. For example, fiber Bragg gratings manufactured using laser writing technology exhibit higher precision and better stability. In this process, the wavelength, power and pulse time of the laser have a direct impact on the final grating quality.
Future Prospects of Fiber Bragg Gratings
With the rapid advancement of technology, the application scope of fiber Bragg grating will continue to expand. From the application of new optical communication technology to the development of embedded sensors, the future of fiber grating technology will be even more exciting. The challenge in the future is how to further improve the stability and performance of these optical devices to meet the growing market demand.
In the future technological world, fiber Bragg gratings may become the cornerstone of many emerging technologies. This makes us wonder, how will the next technological breakthrough change the way we live?
