Dmytro Suslov

High-efficiency coupling to small-core microstructured fibers for broadband dispersion characterization

In this paper we investigate several silica-based suspended core microstructured fibers optical (SC-MOFs) in regards to providing the high efficiency coupling for broadband dispersion measurement. We present free-space optic and butt coupling setup capable of coupling signal from standard single mode fibers (SMF) into SC-MOF with core diameter of less than 4 μm and coupling efficiency over 50%. We then investigate SC-MOF’s effective mode area, nonlinearity coefficient and chromatic dispersion curve, using both modeling of the fibers and measurements. Lastly, we have investigated the effects of the aspheric lens on broadband coupling for the chromatic dispersion measurement.

Development and characterization of highly-nonlinear multicomponent glass photonic crystal fibers for mid-infrared applications

We present a detailed chromatic dispersion characterization of heavy-metal oxide (HMO) glass photonic crystal fibers (PCFs) suitable for mid-infrared applications. Based on previous work with hexagonal and suspended-core fibers the focus was placed on determination of the chromatic dispersion curve to reach precise correlation between simulation model and real fiber based on both a post-draw model correction and broadband chromatic dispersion measurement. The paper covers the fiber design, discusses fiber manufacturing, presents measurements of fiber chromatic dispersion, provides the simulation model correction and finally proposes further applications. Selected fiber designs from simulation model were fabricated by the stack-and-draw technique. The dispersion measurement setup was based on an unbalanced Mach-Zehnder interferometer. The influence of optical elements on the measurement results and broadband coupling is discussed. We have proved that the critical factor represents the accuracy of the refractive index equation of the HMO glass and real fiber structure. By improved technique we reached the zero-dispersion wavelength with a reasonable precision of less than 30 nm.

Optical switching based on arsenic-selenide and lead-silicate fibers

The paper reports our progress on soft-glass fibers for optical switching purposes based on four-wave mixing. Specific development of connectorized nonlinear modules for switching application is presented. For the arsenic-selenide fiber we present a novel solid joint technology, with connection losses of only 0.25 dB, which is the lowest value presented up-to-date. We have carried out conversion efficiency simulations, conversion efficiency of -16.1 dB was obtained with arsenic-selenide fiber of length reduced to 5 m. Finally experimental tests are included employing our developed optical switch testbed. Measurement results with a 26 m and a 4.5 m long arsenic-selenide nonlinear modules are presented.

Suspended-core silica and lead-silicate fibers for nonlinear application and sensing purposes

We report development of suspended-core silica and lead-silicate microstructured optical fibers for detection of liquids and supercontinuum generation. Theoretical analysis of effective mode area, dispersion curve, nonlinear coefficient and mode-field overlap is presented. For a specific lead-silicate fiber we determinated the zero dispersion wavelength at 1113 nm with a nonlinear coefficient of 1321 W-1km-1. For detection of liquids both silica and lead-silicate fibers are found to be suitable in different refractive index ranges 1.38-1.44 and 1.68-1.74 respectively. Coupling efficiency into all studied fibers over 40%; fiber attenuation was measured by the cut-back technique and is approximately 2 dB/m for silica glass fibers and over 3 dB/m for lead-silicate fibers.

Detection of liquids in the near and mid-infrared based on lead-silicate suspended-core microstructured fibers

This paper reports on our recent progress with lead-silicate suspended-core microstructured optical fibers (SC- MOFs) for the detection of liquids. Simulations for SC-MOFs with one micrometer core diameter and of two different glass compositions with refractive indices of 1.67 and 1.89 at 1550 nm are discussed. Mode-field area study is performed for liquid analytes within refractive index range of 1.65-1.75. Experimental results of evanescent-wave refractometry are presented, with an impact study of uneven analyte-filling impact on the sensor performance. Studied SC-MOFs can find their application as monitoring sensors of various liquid quality especially when spectroscopic approach is pursued.