Xuehao Hu

Polarization effects in polymer FBGs:study and use for transverse force sensing

Bragg gratings photo-inscribed in polymer optical fibers (POFs) are more sensitive to temperature and pressure than their silica counterparts, because of their larger thermo-optic coefficient and smaller Youngs modulus. Polymer optical fiber Bragg gratings (POFBGs) are most often photo-written in poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) based materials using a continuous-wave 325 nm HeCd laser. In this work, we present the first study about birefringence effects in POFBGs manufactured in different types of fiber. To achieve this, highly reflective (> 90%) gratings were produced with the phase mask technique. Their spectral response was then monitored in transmission with polarized light. Polarization dependent loss (PDL) and differential group delay (DGD) were computed from the Jones matrix eigenanalysis using an optical vector analyzer. Maximum values exceeding several dB and a few picoseconds were obtained for the PDL and DGD, respectively. An inverse scattering technique applied to the experimental data provided an estimate of the photo-induced birefringence value arising from the side fabrication process. The response to lateral force was finally investigated for various incident directions using the PDL response of FBGs manufactured in step-index POFs. As the force induced birefringence adds to the photo-induced one, a force dependent evolution of the PDL maximum value was noticed, with a good temperature-insensitivity.

Highly reflective Bragg gratings in slightly etched step-index polymer optical fiber.

During the past few years, a strong progress has been made in the photo-writing of fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) in polymer optical fibers (POFs), animated by the constant wish to enhance the grating reflectivity and improve the sensing performances. In this paper, we report the photo-inscription of highly reflective gratings in step-index POFs, obtained thanks to a slight etching of the cladding. We demonstrate that a cladding diameter decrease of ~12% is an ideal trade-off to produce highly reflective gratings with enhanced axial strain sensitivity, while keeping almost intact their mechanical resistance. For this, we make use of Trans-4-stilbenemethanol-doped photosensitive step-index poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) POFs. FBGs are inscribed at ~1550 nm by the scanning phase mask technique in POFs of different external diameters. Reflectivity reaching 97% is achieved for 6 mm long FBGs, compared to 25% for non-etched POFs. We also report that a cladding decrease enhances the FBG axial tension while keeping unchanged temperature and surrounding refractive index sensitivities. Finally and for the first time, a measurement is conducted in transmission with polarized light, showing that a photo-induced birefringence of 7 × 10(-6) is generated (one order of magnitude higher than the intrinsic fiber birefringence), which is similar to the one generated in silica fiber using ultra-violet laser.

Tilted Bragg gratings in step-index polymer optical fiber

We report the first slightly tilted Bragg gratings photo-inscription in polymer optical fiber (POF). For this, we make use of trans-4-stilbenemethanol-doped photosensitive step-index poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) POFs. Tilted fiber Bragg gratings (TFBGs) are inscribed in the near-infrared wavelength range using the scanning phase mask technique with a tilted phase mask in the plane perpendicular to the laser beam direction. The transmitted amplitude spectrum evolution of a 3° TFBG is analyzed as a function of the surrounding refractive index. A maximum sensitivity close to 13  nm/RIU (refractive index unit) is obtained in the range 1.42-1.49.

Surface plasmon excitation at near-infrared wavelengths in polymer optical fibers.

We report the first excitation of surface plasmon waves at near-infrared telecommunication wavelengths using polymer optical fibers (POFs) made of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). For this, weakly tilted fiber-Bragg gratings (TFBGs) have been photo-inscribed in the core of step-index POFs and the fiber coated with a thin gold layer. Surface plasmon resonance is excited with radially polarized modes and is spectrally observed as a singular extinction of some cladding-mode resonances in the transmitted amplitude spectrum of gold-coated TFBGs. The refractometric sensitivity can reach ∼550  nm/RIU (refractive index unit) with a figure of merit of more than 2000 and intrinsic temperature self-compensation. This kind of sensor is particularly relevant to in situ operation.

Control over photo-inscription and thermal annealing to obtain high-quality Bragg gratings in doped PMMA optical fibers

Bragg gratings are photo-inscribed in trans-4-stilbenemethanol doped PMMA fibers using a 325 nm He-Cd laser and a phase mask. Two distinct behaviors are reported depending on the laser power density. In the high-density regime with 637  mW/mm2, the grating reflectivity is stable over time after the writing process, but the reflected spectrum is of limited quality, as the grating length is limited to the laser width (1.2 mm). The beam is then enlarged to 6 mm, decreasing the power density to 127  mW/mm2. In this case, the grating reflectivity strongly decays after the writing process. A fortunate property here results from the recovery of the initial reflectivity using a post-inscription thermal annealing. Both behaviors are attributed to the evolution between trans- and cis-isomers.

Bragg gratings inscription at 1550 nm in photosensitive step-index polymer optical fiber

In this paper, we report photo-inscription of uniform Bragg gratings in Trans-4-stilbenemethanol-doped photosensitive step-index polymer optical fiber characterized by a core diameter of 8.2 μm. Single-mode gratings were produced at ~1550 nm by the phase mask technique with a Helium-Cadmium emitting at 325 nm with an average power of 30 mW. The grating growth was monitored during the manufacturing process, showing that the reflected band is blue shifted by a few hundreds of picometers. Finally, the gratings were characterized in temperature in the range 25 − 50 °C. Their sensitivity has been computed equal to − 47 pm/°C.

Bragg gratings inscription in step-index PMMA optical fiber by femtosecond laser pulses at 400 nm

In this paper, we report photo-inscription of uniform Bragg gratings in trans-4-stilbenemethanol-doped photosensitive step-index polymer optical fiber. Gratings were produced at ~1575 nm by the phase mask technique with a femtosecond laser emitting at 400 nm with different average optical powers (8 mW, 13 mW and 20 mW). The grating growth dynamics in transmission were monitored during the manufacturing process, showing that the grating grows faster with higher power. Using 20 mW laser beam power, the reflectivity reaches 94 % (8 dB transmission loss) in 70 seconds. Finally, the gratings were characterized in temperature in the range 20 - 45 °C. The thermal sensitivity has been computed equal to – 86.6 pm/°C.

Study of thermal annealing effect on Bragg gratings photo-inscribed in step-index polymer optical fibers

In this paper, both non-annealed and annealed trans-4-stilbenemethanol-doped step-index polymer optical fibers were photo-inscribed using a 325 nm HeCd laser with two different beam power densities reaching the fiber core. In the high density regime where 637 mW/mm2 are used, the grating reflectivity is stable over time after the photo-writing process but the reflected spectrum is of limited quality, as the grating physical length is limited to 1.2 mm. To produce longer gratings exhibiting more interesting spectral features, the beam is enlarged to 6 mm, decreasing the power density to 127 mW/mm2. In this second regime, the grating reflectivity is not stable after the inscription process but tends to decay for both kinds of fibers. A fortunate property in this case results from the possibility to fully recover the initial reflectivity using a post-inscription thermal annealing, where the gratings are annealed at 80 °C during 2 days. The observed evolutions for both regimes are attributed to the behavior of the excited intermediate states between the excited singlet and the ground singlet state of trans- and cis-isomers as well as the temperature-dependent glassy polymer matrix.

Highly reflective Bragg gratings in slightly etched polymer optical fibers and their application for sensing

During the last decade, a strong progress has been made in the photo-writing of fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) in polymer optical fibers (POFs), driven by the continuous wish to enhance the grating reflectivity and improve the sensing performances. In this paper, we report the photo-inscription of highly reflective gratings in step-index POFs, obtained from a slight etching of the cladding. We demonstrate that a cladding diameter decrease of ~20% is an ideal trade-off to produce highly reflective gratings with enhanced axial strain sensitivity, while keeping almost intact their mechanical resistance. For this, we make use of Trans-4-stilbenemethanol-doped photosensitive step-index poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) POFs. Both uniform and tilted FBGs are inscribed at ~1550 nm by the scanning phase mask technique in POFs. Reflectivity reaching 97% is achieved for 6 mm long FBGs. We also report that a cladding decrease enhances the FBG axial strain sensitivity while keeping unchanged temperature and surrounding refractive index sensitivities. Surrounding refractive index sensing and transverse force sensing are also reported with tilted Bragg gratings and polarization-assisted uniform gratings, respectively.

Investigations on birefringence effects in polymer optical fiber Bragg gratings

Step-index polymer optical fiber Bragg gratings (POFBGs) and microstructured polymer optical fiber Bragg gratings (mPOFBGs) present several attractive features, especially for sensing purposes. In comparison to FBGs written in silica fibers, they are more sensitive to temperature and pressure because of the larger thermo-optic coefficient and smaller Young’s modulus of polymer materials. (M)POFBGs are most often photowritten in poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) materials using a continuous-wave 325 nm HeCd laser. For the first time to the best of our knowledge, we study photoinduced birefringence effects in (m)POFBGs. To achieve this, highly reflective gratings were inscribed with the phase mask technique. They were then monitored in transmission with polarized light. For this, (m)POF sections a few cm in length containing the gratings were glued to angled silica fibers. Polarization dependent loss (PDL) and differential group delay (DGD) were computed from the Jones matrix eigenanalysis using an optical vector analyser. Maximum values exceeding several dB and a few picoseconds were obtained for the PDL and DGD, respectively. The response to lateral force was finally investigated. As it induces birefringence in addition to the photo-induced one, an increase of the PDL and DGD values were noticed.