Theoretical analysis of novel fiber grating pair

A novel fiber grating pair that consists of a conventional long-period fiber grating and a fiber Bragg cladding grating (FBCG) is proposed. The FBCG is a new type of fiber grating in which refractive index modulation is formed in the cladding. Through the coupled-mode theory, we accurately calculate the coupling coefficients between modes supported in the fibers. And some other mode coupling features in the fiber cladding gratings are analyzed in detail. The calculation of the modes involved in this paper is based on a model of three-layer step-index fiber geometry. Then, we have investigated the sensitivity characteristics for variation of the modulation strengths of the fiber Bragg cladding gratings’ resonance peaks and the long-period cladding gratings’ (LPCGs) dual resonant peaks. Finally, the modulation strength sensitivity of the grating pair’s three resonant peaks is demonstrated, and the results indicate that these grating pairs may find potential applications in optical fiber sensing.     

Bending sensitivity of in-series long-period fiber gratings

The interference fringes formed in a long-period fiber grating pair are sensitive to the loss in the cladding mode, which can be induced by bending or by coating on the fiber. Assuming that there is no loss and that both gratings are identical, the interference fringes are shown to have 100% contrast when each grating has 50% transmissivity. By contrast, if the cladding mode is absorbed or scattered the fringe contrast is shown to be degraded. The spectral behaviors of a long-period fiber grating pair with loss is analyzed by the coupled-mode theory and is compared with experimental results.     

Thermo-optically tunable band-rejection filters using mechanically formed long-period fiber gratings

We present tunable mechanically formed long-period fiber gratings whose resonance peaks are shifted by the thermo-optic effect of a medium surrounding the fiber cladding. A novel grating formation method and tuning principles that use periodically arrayed metal wire are described. The performance as an active gain equalizer of an erbium-doped fiber amplifier is also reported.     

Highly sensitive cladding-etched arc-induced long-period fiber gratings for refractive index sensing

We have investigated the effects of cladding etching in arc-induced long-period fiber gratings. Comparing the position of the resonant wavelengths at each diameter with the corresponding theoretical dispersion curves of effective refractive index, it is found that some of the resonances show a better match with anti-symmetrical cladding modes, while others with symmetrical cladding modes. Etching the cladding diameter to ∼39 μm, results in coupling to a high-order cladding mode that is very sensitive to changes in the ambient refractive index. The resonant peak shifts remarkably (∼230 nm) toward shorter wavelengths as the external refractive index increases. This sensitivity is higher than any previously reported in arc-induced long-period fiber gratings.     

Cladding index modulated fiber grating

A new type of fiber grating with only cladding index modulation is presented. Characteristics of both cladding index modulated short-period fiber grating (FBG) and long-period fiber grating (LPFG) are analyzed. The calculation of the modes involved in this paper is based on a model of three-layer step-index fiber geometry. Transmission of a mode guided by the core through a cladding index modulated grating when evanescent field coupling occurs is analyzed with couple-mode theory. Evanescent field coupling causes a power flowing from the core to the cladding, so the attenuation of the new grating is analyzed as well. Lower attenuation, flexible spectral characteristics are demonstrated in comparison with traditional fiber core index modulated grating.     

长周期光纤光栅耦合模理论分析

长周期光纤光栅作为透射型光无源器件,以其在通信和传感领域具有广阔应用前景而引起人们的关注。要得到满足性能要求的光纤光栅,对其透射谱的分析是基础。通过耦合模方程确定了基模和一阶各次包层模之间的耦合常数。在设定的光纤光栅参数条件下,通过Matlab进行模拟得到了最终需要的长周期光纤光栅透射谱,并由此得出：长周期光纤光栅谐振波长出现的位置主要由光栅的周期决定,损耗大小可以通过调节光栅长度和折射率来实现。     

Refractive index sensitivity characteristic of long-period grating in holey fiber with dual-channel measuring method

Dual-channel measuring method based on long-period grating in holey fiber (LPHFG) is proposed, in which cladding mode interacts with medium filled in air holes and surrounding LPHFG simultaneously. Mode coupling properties and resonance spectral response of LPHFG are numerically investigated with respect to refractive index sensitivity characteristic to the variation of medium with dual-channel measuring method. It is proved that dual-channel measuring method can enhance the index sensitivity characteristic, which can be further improved by elaborately choosing appropriate cladding mode. Dual-channel measuring method provides an excellent alternative to the index-based sensors and detectors. Cladding mode in holey fiber with special radius is very sensitive to the variation of wavelength and medium, and it can turn into high-order or low-order cladding mode. The characteristics of cladding mode to wavelength and medium could be used to optimize the index-based sensor, and it also can be used in mode conversion.     

Deposition of overlays by electrostatic self-assembly in long-period fiber gratings

It was proved that the deposition of an overlay material onto a long-period fiber grating causes important shifts in the wavelengths of the typical attenuation bands that are caused by coupling between cladding and core modes [Opt. Lett. 27, 682 (2002)]. A theoretical model for analyzing a multilayer cylindrical waveguide is presented that permits the phenomenon to be understood and predicted. An overlay of higher refractive index than the cladding starts to guide a mode if a certain thickness value is exceeded. This causes large shifts in the resonance wavelength induced by the grating. One important application of this phenomenon to sensors is enhancement of the sensitivity of a long-period fiber grating to ambient conditions. Theoretical results are corroborated with experimental ones obtained by electrostatic self-assembly.     

Bandwidth-tunable band-rejection filter based on helicoidal fiber grating pair of opposite helicities

We have developed a new type of all-fiber band-rejection filter consisting of a helicoidal long-period fiber grating pair of opposite helicities, which provides highly flexible spectral control over the rejection bandwidth. The detailed fabrication method and operation principles of the proposed bandwidth-tunable band-rejection filter are described. The proposed device enables unique rejection bandwidth tuning over more than 14 nm at the rejection level of 15 dB, with low insertion loss and polarization-dependent loss achieved by adjusting torsion stress.     

Widely tunable asymmetric long-period fiber grating with high sensitivity using optical polymer on laser-ablated cladding

We demonstrate high-efficiency, wideband-tunable, laser-ablated long-period fiber gratings that use an optical polymer overlay. Portions of the fiber cladding are periodically removed by CO(2) laser pulses to induce periodic index changes for coupling the core mode into cladding modes. An optical polymer with a high thermo-optic coefficient with a dispersion distinct from that of silica is used on a deep-ablated cladding structure so that the effective indices of cladding modes become dispersive and the resonant wavelengths can be efficiently tuned. The tuning efficiency can be as high as 15.8 nm/ degrees C, and the tuning range can be wider than 105 nm (1545-1650 nm).     

Widely tunable long-period fiber grating with nm-thick higher refractive index film overlay

By introducing a four-layer step-index waveguide modeling, the characteristics of long-period fiber grating (LPFG) with an nm-thick film overlay, which has higher refractive index than that of fiber cladding are investigated in detail. The influence of both the overlay thickness and refractive index on the tuning ability of LPFG is analyzed. The numerical results demonstrate that spectral response of LPFG is divided into three distinct regions as the overlay deposition increases and the shift of resonant wavelength is drastic in some special thickness range. In conjunction with higher-order cladding mode coupling and fiber cladding etching, the sensitivity of LPFG to the overlay refractive index is enhanced significantly and over 120 nm resonant wavelength tunable range is achieved.     

Displacements of the resonant peaks of a long-period fiber grating induced by a change of ambient refractive index

We present a graphic method of analyzing the spectral displacements of a long-period fiber grating as a function of ambient index. Mode dependence of the maximum displacement, disappearance of a particular resonance peak, and spectral behavior when the ambient index is larger than that of the cladding material are investigated and compared with experimental results.     

New transfer matrix method for long-period fiber gratings with coupled multiple cladding modes

A new transfer matrix method for long-period fiber gratings with coupled multiple cladding modes is proposed and numerically characterized. The transmission spectra of uniform and non-uniform longperiod fiber gratings are numerically characterized. The theoretical results excellently agree with the experimental measurements. Compared with commonly used methods,such as using the fourth-order adaptive step size control of the Runge-Kutta algorithm in solving the coupled mode equation,the new transfer matrix method exhibits a faster calculation speed.     

Sensitivity-variable fiber optic pressure sensors using microbend fiber gratings

We report on sensitivity control of fiber optic sensors using microbend long-period fiber gratings. By tuning the phase difference between a pair of periodically aligned rod arrays that sandwiches a single-mode fiber, we can change the coupling strength of the core mode with radiating cladding modes, resulting in variable pressure sensitivity of the transmission power through the fiber. This technique enables control of the measurable range of pressure. When the phase difference is shifted from π toward 0, the measurable range is expanded from 1.7 to 3.3 N/cm and higher using a light-emitting diode as an input light source.     

三包层长周期光纤光栅谐振波长与薄膜光学参数的关系

通过求解严格的耦合模理论建立的三包层结构长周期光纤光栅特征方程,研究了三包层长周期光纤光栅谐振波长与第二包层(薄膜)的折射率和厚度之间的关系。结果发现,随着膜厚及折射率的增大,谐振波长偏移的变化分成三个区域,这与Nicholas D R的实验结果相符。利用HE/EH模的判据数,对三个区域的模特性进行了分析,给出了区域划分的衡量标准。给出了在不同薄膜参数时的长周期光纤光栅透射谱,发现一阶低次HE模式的耦合强度要远大于一阶低次EH模式。     

Dynamics of long-period gratings tuned with internal fiber electrodes

The physics of electrically switched long-period grating in a twin-hole fiber with internal electrodes is studied. Dynamic measurements for the two polarizations show how the grating spectra shift in time due to the mechanical stress and heat transfer in the core and the cladding.     

Tunable fiber gratings fabricated in photonic crystal fiber by use of mechanical pressure

The mode-coupling properties of tunable long-period fiber gratings (LPGs) formed in photonic crystal fibers (PCFs) are presented. The mode coupling from the fundamental core mode to a cladding mode of a PCF is obtained by use of periodic mechanical pressure. The strength and the wavelength of the resonant peak are tuned by adjusting the grating period and the pressure applied on the PCF. Contrary to the conventional fiber case, the resonant wavelength of the PCF LPG is decreased by increasing the periodicity.     

Optical low-coherence reflectometry characterization of cladding modes excited by long-period fiber gratings

The group refractive-index difference of cladding modes excited by a long-period fiber grating is characterized by use of the technique of optical low-coherence reflectometry, with a precision of <10(-4) . Very good agreement between theoretical and experimental results is demonstrated.     

Strain-insensitive and high-temperature long-period gratings inscribed in photonic crystal fiber

We fabricate and demonstrate strain-insensitive and high-temperature long-period gratings in endlessly single-mode photonic crystal fiber by use of focused pulses of a CO2 laser and a periodic stress relaxation technique without geometrical deformation and elongation of the fiber. The thermal dependence of mode coupling at 1299.59 nm is 10.9 pm/degrees C from 24 to 992 degrees C, whereas the coefficient of strain sensitivity is -0.192 pm/muepsilon up to the maximum strain of 2.74%epsilon. It is found for what is believed to be the first time that, in contrast with the traditional fiber case, the coupling resonance shifts toward shorter wavelengths under applied strain, indicating that the refractive index of the core is decreased as a result of the rebuilding of tension attributed to the stress-elastic effect, and the cladding modes is highly dispersive because of airholes arranged in the fiber cladding.     

CO2激光脉冲边缘写入的长周期光栅折射率特性研究

报道了一种用高频CO2激光脉冲在普通通信光纤包层边缘单侧写入的新型长周期光纤光栅。研究发现,这种长周期光纤光栅的折射率变化主要发生在光纤包层区域,而纤芯的折射率变化较小;同时该光栅的附加损耗低于0.5 dB。进一步折射率特性实验研究表明,由于其特殊的折变结构,这种光栅具有较高的外界环境灵敏度,当外界折射率在1.41~1.45范围内变化时,其谐振波长漂移量高达15.52 nm,比实验测得的用传统方法写入的长周期光纤光栅谐振波长漂移量高出近3倍,这种光栅结构在光纤传感中将具有重要的应用。