William N. MacPherson

Two-axis bend measurement with Bragg gratings in multicore optical fiber

We describe what is to our knowledge the first use of fiber Bragg gratings written into three separate cores of a multicore fiber for two-axis curvature measurement. The gratings act as independent, but isothermal, fiber strain gauges for which local curvature determines the difference in strain between cores, permitting temperature-independent bend measurement.

Ultrafast-laser inscription of a three dimensional fan-out device for multicore fiber coupling applications

A three dimensional fan-out device has been fabricated using ultrafast laser inscription. The device allows each core of a multicore fibre to be addressed individually by a single mode fiber held in an FVA.

Strain and temperature sensitivity of a single-mode polymer optical fiber

We have measured the optical phase sensitivity of fiber based on poly(methyl methacrylate) under near-single-mode conditions at 632.8 nm wavelength. The elongation sensitivity is 131 +/- 3 x 10(5) rad m(-1) and the temperature sensitivity is -212 +/- 26 rad m(-1) K(-1). These values are somewhat larger than those for silica fiber and are consistent with the values expected on the basis of the bulk polymer properties.

Remotely addressed optical fibre curvature sensor using multicore photonic crystal fibre

We demonstrate an all-fibre curvature sensor that uses two-core photonic crystal fibre (PCF) as the sensing element. The PCF acts as a two-beam interferometer in which phase difference is a function of curvature in the plane containing the cores. A broadband source illuminates both cores, and the spectrum at a single point in the far-field interferogram is recorded. Applying a three-wavelength phase recovery algorithm to the data provides an unambiguous measurement of the interferometer phase, and hence curvature.

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.

Mid-infrared methane detection in a photonic bandgap fiber using a broadband optical parametric oscillator

We demonstrate methane sensing using a photonic bandgap fiber-based gas cell and broadband idler pulses from a periodically-poled lithium niobate femtosecond optical parametric oscillator. The hollow core of the fiber was filled with a methane:nitrogen mixture, and Fourier transform spectroscopy was used to measure transmission spectra in the 3.15-3.35 mum methane absorption region. The method has applications in gas sensing for remote or hazardous environments and potentially at very low concentrations.

Application of cooled spatial light modulator for high power nanosecond laser micromachining

The application of a commercially available spatial light modulator (SLM) to control the spatial intensity distribution of a nanosecond pulsed laser for micromachining is described for the first time. Heat sinking is introduced to increase the average power handling capabilities of the SLM beyond recommended limits by the manufacturer. Complex intensity patterns are generated, using the Inverse Fourier Transform Algorithm, and example laser machining is demonstrated. The SLM enables both complex beam shaping and also beam steering.

Embedded micromachined fiber-optic Fabry-Perot pressure sensors in aerodynamics applications

Small size, high bandwidth pressure sensors are required for instrumentation of probes and test models in aerodynamic studies of complex unsteady flows. Optical-fiber pressure sensors promise potential advantages of small size and low cost in comparison with their electrical counterparts. We describe miniature Fabry-Perot cavity pressure sensors constructed by micromachining techniques in a turbine test application. The sensor bodies are 500 /spl mu/m squared, 300 /spl mu/m deep with a /spl sim/2 /spl mu/m-thick copper diaphragm electroplated on one face. The sensor cavity is formed between the diaphragm and the cleaved end of a single mode fiber sealed to the sensor by epoxy. Each sensor is addressed interferometrically in reflection by three wavelengths simultaneously, giving an unambiguous phase determination; a pressure sensitivity of 1.6 radbar/sup -1/ was measured, with a typical range of vacuum to 600 kPa. Five sensors were embedded in the trailing edge of a nozzle guide vane installed upstream of a rotor in a full-scale turbine stage transient test facility. Pressure signals in the trailing edge flow show marked structure at the 8 kHz blade passing frequency. To our knowledge, this is the first report of sensors located at the trailing edge of a normal-sized turbine blade.

Mid-infrared gas sensing using a photonic bandgap fiber

We demonstrate methane sensing based on Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy using a hollow-core photonic bandgap fiber guiding in the mid-infrared and idler pulses from a femtosecond optical parametric oscillator. Transmission measurements are presented for several fibers, and sensing is demonstrated using a fiber whose bandgap overlaps the methane fundamental absorption lines. The gas filling process of the air core is described, and qualitative methane concentrations measurements to 1000 ppm (parts in 10(6)) are reported. Operation down to 50 ppm based on our current experiment is predicted.