Robert R. J. Maier

Single-mode mid-IR guidance in a hollow-core photonic crystal fiber

We report, for the first time, bandgap guidance above 3 mum in a silica based air-core photonic crystal fiber. The peak of the bandgap is at 3.14mum with a typical attenuation of ~ 2.6 dB m-1. By further optimization of the structure, modeling suggests that a loss below 1 dB m-1 should be achievable, greatly extending the useful operating range of silica-based single-mode fibers. Such fibers have many potential applications in the mid-IR, offering an alternative to fluoride, tellurite or chalcogenide glass based optical fibers for chemical and biological sensing applications.

Two-Axis Temperature-Insensitive Accelerometer Based on Multicore Fiber Bragg Gratings

We report a compact two-dimensional accelerometer based upon a simple fiber cantilever constructed from a short length of multicore optical fiber. Two-axis measurement is demonstrated up to 3 kHz. Differential measurement between fiber Bragg gratings written in the multicore fiber provides temperature-insensitive measurements.

Picosecond and nanosecond pulse delivery through a hollow-core Negative Curvature Fiber for micro-machining applications

We present high average power picosecond and nanosecond pulse delivery at 1030 nm and 1064 nm wavelengths respectively through a novel hollow-core Negative Curvature Fiber (NCF) for high-precision micro-machining applications. Picosecond pulses with an average power above 36 W and energies of 92 µJ, corresponding to a peak power density of 1.5 TWcm⁻² have been transmitted through the fiber without introducing any damage to the input and output fiber end-faces. High-energy nanosecond pulses (>1 mJ), which are ideal for micro-machining have been successfully delivered through the NCF with a coupling efficiency of 92%. Picosecond and nanosecond pulse delivery have been demonstrated in fiber-based laser micro-machining of fused silica, aluminum and titanium.

Fibre optic beam delivery system for high peak power laser PIV illumination

Diffractive optical elements (DOEs) are used to couple Q-switched and frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser beams into optical fibres to achieve significantly increased damage thresholds, enabling fibre optic beam delivery for high-speed particle image velocimetry (PIV) measurements. For single fibre delivery systems, the maximum pulse energy density that can be transmitted is increased by a factor of 5-10 compared with the best that can be achieved using conventional optics, of up to 10 mJ in a m core diameter fibre at 532 nm. We also applied the DOE arrangement to our previously developed bundle delivery system, comprising nineteen m core diameter fibres. On testing, over 1000 pulses with energies of 30 mJ were successfully transmitted, with no indication of damage. This allows fibre delivery to become a practical option for many air-flow PIV applications, as demonstrated here with measurements of flow in a square duct.

Flexible delivery of Er:YAG radiation at 2.94 µm with negative curvature silica glass fibers: a new solution for minimally invasive surgical procedures

We present the delivery of high energy microsecond pulses through a hollow-core negative-curvature fiber at 2.94 µm. The energy densities delivered far exceed those required for biological tissue manipulation and are of the order of 2300 J/cm2. Tissue ablation was demonstrated on hard and soft tissue in dry and aqueous conditions with no detrimental effects to the fiber or catastrophic damage to the end facets. The energy is guided in a well confined single mode allowing for a small and controllable focused spot delivered flexibly to the point of operation. Hence, a mechanically and chemically robust alternative to the existing Er:YAG delivery systems is proposed which paves the way for new routes for minimally invasive surgical laser procedures.

Quadratic behavior of fiber Bragg grating temperature coefficients

We describe the characterization of the temperature and strain responses of fiber Bragg grating sensors by use of an interferometric interrogation technique to provide an absolute measurement of the grating wavelength. The fiber Bragg grating temperature response was found to be nonlinear over the temperature range -70 degrees C to 80 degrees C. The nonlinearity was observed to be a quadratic function of temperature, arising from the linear dependence on temperature of the thermo-optic coefficient of silica glass over this range, and is in good agreement with a theoretical model.

Delivery of high energy Er:YAG pulsed laser light at 2.94µm through a silica hollow core photonic crystal fibre

In this paper the delivery of high power Er:YAG laser pulses through a silica hollow core photonic crystal fibre is demonstrated. The Er:YAG wavelength of 2.94 µm is well beyond the normal transmittance of bulk silica but the unique hollow core guidance allows silica to guide in this regime. We have demonstrated for the first time the ability to deliver high energy pulses through an all-silica fibre at 2.94 µm. These silica fibres are mechanically and chemically robust, biocompatible and have low sensitivity to bending. A maximum pulse energy of 14 mJ at 2.94 µm was delivered through the fibre. This, to our knowledge, is the first time a silica hollow core photonic crystal fibre has been shown to transmit 2.94 μm laser light at a fluence exceeding the thresholds required for modification (e.g. cutting and drilling) of hard biological tissue. Consequently, laser delivery systems based on these fibres have the potential for the realization of novel, minimally-invasive surgical procedures.

Mid-infrared absorption spectroscopy of methane using a broadband femtosecond optical parametric oscillator based on aperiodically poled lithium niobate

We describe the implementation of optical absorption spectroscopy in which aT i:sapphire pumped femtosecond optical parametric oscillator based on aperiodically poled lithium niobate was used as a broadband source to directly acquire a mid-infrared absorption spectrum of methane gas. Fourier transform spectroscopy was performed using the idler output from the optical parametric oscillator to directly acquire spectra spanning over 600 nm (14.4 THz or 480 cm −1 )w ith around 2.2 nm (55 GHz or 1. 9c m −1 ) resolution. Data are presented of absorption measurements in methane at pressures of 2 bar, 250 mbar and 25 mbar. This approach combines the advantages of spectroscopy using a broadband thermal source with the high power and excellent beam quality of a modelocked laser source.

Nanoporous structure of a GdF 3 thin film evaluated by variable angle spectroscopic ellipsometry

As excimer lasers extend to deep-ultraviolet and vacuum-ultraviolet wavelengths at 193 and 157 nm, optical coatings experience the challenge of eliminating possible environmental contamination, reducing scattering loss, and increasing laser irradiation durability. Wide bandgap metal fluorides become the materials of choice for the laser optics applications. To understand the optical properties of nanostructure fluoride films, thin GdF(3) films grown on CaF(2) (111) substrates were evaluated by variable angle spectroscopic ellipsometry. An effective medium approximation model was used to determine both the film porosity and the surface roughness. Structural evolution of the GdF(3) film was revealed with improved ellipsometric modeling, suggesting the existence of multilayer structure, a densified bottom layer, middle layers with increasing porosity, and a rough surface. The nanostructure of the film and the surface roughness were confirmed by atomic force microscopy. The attraction of the nanostructure to environmental contamination was experimentally demonstrated.

In-Fiber Fabry–Perot Cavity Sensor for High-Temperature Applications

The fabrication, characterization and encapsulation of a fiber optic temperature sensor based upon a micro Fabry-Perot (F-P) cavity is presented. The F-P cavity is formed between a reflective in-fiber metallic splice and the air-fiber boundary at the end of the sensor. A change in temperature modifies the optical cavity length, and this is observed as a change in the reflected interference spectrum. The sensor has been demonstrated for high-temperature measurement up to 1100 °C. The stability of the sensor system is ~10 °C over a period exceeding 300 h at 1100 °C. Furthermore, a sealed capillary is used as a protective enclosure.