Fabrication of a range of SERS substrates on nanostructured multicore optical fibres

An effective method for producing arrays of nanoscale triangles, rods and wells on the distal end of a silica optical fibre is presented. The structures are produced by applying a wet‐etch procedure to drawn‐down imaging fibres. Structural variation is achieved by altering the final diameter of the drawn fibre. Feature sizes of less than 100 nm can be readily achieved in this way. When coated with silver, surface‐enhanced Raman scattering enhancement factors of over 10⁶ can be achieved, depending on the size and shape of the structures present. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Orientational Distribution of Fibres in Sheared Fibre Suspensions

Motion of fibres in sheared fibre suspensions is simulated numerically by using the lattice Boltzmann method. The orientational distributions of the fibres are presented for different Reynolds numbers, Stokes numbers, shear rate and fibre aspect ratio. Some computational results are compared with the experimental data of pipe flow, and the qualitative agreement is achieved. The results show that the orientational distributions are greatly affected by the Reynolds numbers, while relatively insensitive to the fibre aspect ratio. The Stokes number and shear rate have obvious influence on the orientation distribution.     

Sensitivity degradation due to fibre dispersion-induced PM-AM noise in optically preamplified direct detection systems

It is well known that sensitivities as good as 45 photons/bit can be achieved when direct detection systems use ideal optical preamplifiers. We study the degradation in this sensitivity due to the presence of PM-AM noise that is caused by the laser phase noise and fibre dispersion. The results form a basis for the optimum design of optically preamplified direct detection systems by selection of a suitable laser source and fibre.     

四光束剪切相干成像目标重构算法研究

针对传统剪切光束成像技术的准实时性问题,提出用口字形排布的四束光代替传统L形三束剪切光照射目标,研究了四光束剪切相干成像目标重构算法.只需单次测量就能同时重构出四幅目标图像,减少了用于降低散斑噪声、获取高质量图像所需的测量次数,同时大大减少了多组发射时的光束切换次数,提高了成像效率.在算法实现中,通过最小二乘法恢复出四组波前相位,利用散斑幅值的简单代数运算恢复波前幅值,从而重构出目标图像.仿真结果表明,与传统方法相比,在图像质量相同的前提下,本文方法所需的数据采集时间减少了至少1/2,不但提高了目标重构效率,还可为远程运动目标的成像识别提供更好的手段.     

Self-referencing, spectrally, or spatially encoded spectral interferometry for the complete characterization of attosecond electromagnetic pulses

We propose a method for the complete characterization of attosecond duration electromagnetic pulses produced by high harmonic generation in an atomic gas. Our method is based on self-referencing spectral interferometry of two spectrally sheared extreme ultraviolet pulses, which is achieved by pumping the harmonic source with two sheared optical driving pulses. The resulting interferogram contains sufficient information to completely reconstruct the temporal behavior of the electric field. We demonstrate that such a method is feasible, and outline two possible experimental configurations.     

基于SOA和级联取样光纤光栅的多波长激光器

研究了基于半导体光放大器(SOA)和双段级联取样光纤光栅构成的新型结构多波长激光器.设 计了取样光纤光栅，计算了其反射谱，模拟了多波长激光器的输出光谱.基于自行制作的SOA 和取样光纤光栅，进行了多波长激光器的实验研究，得到了间隔为0.8nm、输出功率不平坦 度小于1.0dB的11个波长输出.理论和实验两个方面都可以验证：与基于普通取样光栅的多波 长方案相比，基于双段级联取样光栅的方案能改善输出谱平坦度，并可提高可激射波长数. 关键词： 半导体光放大器 取样光纤光栅 多波长激光器     

Bulb-ended fibre coupling to LED sources

An optical fibre with a spherical-bulb end is shown to be an efficient lens structure for coupling light from a small Lambertian source into the fibre. The coupling efficiency is calculated by determining the irradiance distribution of light accepted by the fibre after passage through the bulb end. The theoretical calculations are verified using an experimental technique that simulates the coupling geometry. The experimental technique is a simple method that can be readily extended to the evaluation of more complex fibre-coupling configurations.     

Analysis of polarization-independent tunable optical comb filter by cascading MZI and phase modulating Sagnac loop

A novel scheme of tunable optical comb filter constructed by cascading a polarization-swapping MZI and a phase modulating Sagnac loop is proposed. The key features of this comb filter design are its polarization-independence and high speed in wavelength tuning. The wavelength tunability can be readily achieved by incorporating an electro-optic phase modulator into the Sagnac loop. In addition, the filter can be made amplitude adjustable as well. The filter will be desirable for multi-wavelength fiber lasers, multi-channel optical signal processing and optical WDM systems.     

Millimetre-wave fibre–wireless transmission systems with reduced effects of fibre chromatic dispersion

This paper describes two techniques for the implementation of millimetre-wave (mm-wave) wireless communication systems incorporating optical fibre distribution networks. Fibre chromatic dispersion can exhibit severe effects on the transportation of mm-wave frequencies over fibre, resulting in greatly reduced post-detection rf powers. Each mm-wave fibre–wireless system demonstrated here incorporates a method for the generation and modulation of an optical mm-wave carrier, which enables the effect of fibre dispersion to be significantly reduced. One set-up is a direct-detection scheme where optical single-sideband (SSB) with carrier modulation is used to overcome fibre dispersion effects. The other system employs a self-heterodyne arrangement in which a dual-frequency optical source generates a low phase-noise mm-wave beat signal. Data transmission is achieved by externally modulating the dual-mode signal and reduced effects of fibre dispersion are observed.     

Dynamic generation of plasmonic Moiré fringes using phase-engineered optical vortex beam

Dynamic generation of plasmonic Moiré fringes using a phase engineered optical vortex (OV) beam is experimentally demonstrated. Owing to the unique helical phase carried by an OV beam, the initial phase of surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) emanating from a metallic grating can be adjusted dynamically by changing the phase hologram displayed on a spatial light modulator. Plasmonic Moiré fringes are readily achieved by overlapping two SPP standing waves with certain angular misalignment, excited by the positive and negative topological charge components, respectively, of a cogwheel-like OV beam. The near-field scanning optical microscopy measurement result of SPP distributions has shown a good agreement with the numerical predictions.     

应用马赫-曾德尔调制器的光微波链路建模

在考虑马赫-曾德尔调制器(MZM)的消光比、双臂驱动不平衡度等非理想特性参量对其进行细致的理论建模的基础上,建立了包括光源、双臂驱动马赫-曾德尔调制器、光传输模块、光电探测器的基本光微波链路模型,并得到双边带调制(DSB)和单边带调制(SSB)链路的全阶解析响应结果,着重分析不同调制方式下马赫-曾德尔调制器对光微波链路幅度和相位(延时)性能的影响。理论计算和数值仿真结果表明,对双边带调制链路,消光比和双臂驱动不平衡度影响链路的幅频特性而不影响相位特性,对单边带调制链路,二者同时影响链路的幅频和相频特性。理论模型和数值结果可为使用马赫-曾德尔调制器的光微波系统如光纤无线电(RoF)和光控微波波束形成网络等提供定性和定量性能分析的基础。     

Curvature measurement using three-aperture digital shearography and fast Fourier transform

Curvature measurement using a three-aperture digital shearography (DS) system is reported in this paper. The outer apertures are covered with wedge plates for introducing shear. Four images by sequentially blocking the outer apertures are used for quantitative measurement. Fourier transform technique is used to determine two sheared slope phase maps from two images at a time representing initial and deformed states. Subtraction of these two-phase maps yields the curvature phase map. Experimental results are presented for a circular diaphragm clamped along the edges and loaded at the center.     

Spectrum control and shaping of optical pulses in optical fibre interferometers

This paper discusses the use of single-mode fibre ring interferometers for injection laser line narrowing and for enhancement of optical emission power. The efficient launching into fibre ring interferometers of multi-frequency external cavity injection laser emission, in both the c.w. and mode-locking regime, has been achieved. Matching the optical lengths of the external cavity and fibre interferometer allowed the measurement of mode width of such a laser. A method is proposed for shaping optical pulses in fibre ring interferometers from constant intensity frequency modulated emission. The mode-locking regime of all-fibre external cavity injection lasers has been achieved.     

FABRICATION AND APPLICATION OF NEAR-FIELD OPTICAL FIBRE PROBE

In this paper, the fabrication of a large cone angle near-field optical fibre probe, using the two-step chemical etching method and bent probe, is introduced, and the controlling parameters of the coated Cr－Al film at the probe tip are presented. The scanning electron microscopy images display that the tip diameter of the uncoated large cone angle fibre probe obtained is less than 50nm, the cone angle over 90°, and the diameter of light aperture at the coated probe tip is less than 100nm. The measured results of the optical transmission efficiency for various probe tips show that the uncoated straight optical fibre probe, film-coated straight probe and film-coated bent probe are 3×10^-1, 2×10^-3, and 1×10^-4 times that of the flat fibre probe, respectively. In addition, the force images and near-field optical images of a standard sample are acquired using a large cone angle and film-coated bent probe.     

A cutback method for measuring low linear fibre birefringence using an electro-optic modulator

A new cutback method based on the use of phase discrimination is proposed for low-linear-fibre-birefringence measurement. In this destructive method, a detection scheme for determining the phase difference between two readily obtained signals is used to give the phase retardation of the test fibre directly. The detection scheme mainly consists of two wave plates, two sections of fibre and an electro-optic modulator. The features of this measurement scheme are two-fold. First, the aforementioned phase difference between two detected signals, and, accordingly, linear fibre birefringence, can be determined in a simple manner, compared with the conventional cutback method. Second, the test fibre can be short in length despite the existence of fibre cladding modes. Experiments show that the proposed method can give a reliable measurement of linear fibre birefringence.     

Phase shifting speckle shearing polarization interferometer using a birefringent wedge

A digital speckle pattern shearing interferometer is presented which utilizes a single birefringent wedge. Two orthogonally polarized images of an object measured are sheared by the wedge, and the bias phase difference between two polarized images is shifted by translating the wedge. The phase shifting technique applied to speckle pattern shearing interferometry makes it possible to analyze a slope and surface strain numerically. The fringe formation in the present interferometer is analyzed with statistical theory. Experimental results are also presented in two cases: (1) measurement of a slope and normal displacement with a single illumination; (2) simultaneous and separate measurement of a slope and surface strain with two symmetrical illuminations.     

Radio-over-fibre distribution using an optical D-fibre antenna

Finite element analysis has been used to characterise an all-fibre antenna using circular core D-fibre. The optical D-fibre carrying a transversely poled piezoelectric polyvinylidene fluoride polymer coating was modelled by using three-dimensional stress analysis. The response of the D-fibre antenna was determined over a wide frequency range from 1 to 800 MHz. The modelling predicts that the electric-field-induced strains will cause a phase shift of 2.43×10⁻⁵ rad/(V/m) per metre at 5 MHz. At frequencies higher than 8 MHz, the optical response is dominated by radial resonances of the D-fibre/coating composite. Using the simulation results, an electric-field-induced phase shift of 7.35×10⁻⁵ rad/(V/m) per metre has been obtained. An increase in phase modulation sensitivity by a factor of three compared to conventional circular fibre has been achieved by utilising the unique properties of the D-fibre structure. The D-fibre antenna has potential applications in areas such as EMC testing and radio-over-fibre networks where it provides a convenient means of optically generating radio signals.     

Control amplitude and phase of light by plasmonic meta-hologram with T-shaped nano-cavity

Controlling both amplitude and phase of light in the subwavelength scale is a challenge for traditional optical devices. Here, we propose and numerically investigate a novel plasmonic meta-hologram, demonstrating broadband manipulation of both phase and amplitude in the subwavelength scale. In the meta-hologram, phase modulation is achieved by the detour phase distribution of unit cells, and amplitude is continuously modulated by a T-shaped nano-cavity with tunable plasmonic resonance. Compared to phase-only holograms, such a metahologram could reconstruct three-dimensional(3D) images with higher signal-to-noise ratio and better image quality, thus offering great potential in applications such as 3D displays, optical communications, and beam shaping.     

Cleaving of microstructured polymer optical fibres

The issue of how best to cleave PMMA microstructured polymer optical fibres (mPOF) is addressed. The impact of the following parameters on the cleaving process is considered: (i) temperature of the cutting blade, (ii) temperature of the platen holding the fibre, (iii) time allowed for thermal equilibration between fibre and platen, (iv) blade speed, and (v) blade condition. The strong influence of a temperature-dependent phase transition in the polymer on the cleaving process is established. Optically acceptable mPOF end-faces can be achieved but only over a limited range of cleavage conditions.     

基于双折射效应的普通单模光纤频率偏移器和偏振控制器

本文介绍了利用普通单模光导纤维弯曲产生的双折射效应而研制成的频率偏移装置和偏振控制装置.频率偏移装置的单边带抑制达30dB以上,它与光纤偏振控制装置一起是构成全光纤功能型传感器比较理想的光纤元件.