Focusing diffused waveguides

Focusing optical fibre and thin film guide can be made to have nearly the same group velocity for every mode if the optimum distribution of refractive index or thickness of the film is realized. A focusing optical fibre is manufactured from a multilayer glass rod by solid state diffusion. A thin film waveguide is prepared from nitrocellulose by controlling the airflow distribution. Undulation of light propagating in the film is observed, and it is confirmed that the focusing property is determined by the distribution of the film thickness. The field distributions of the TE modes have been analysed for an optical waveguide fabricated by solid state diffusion. Glass waveguide has been manufactured with the appropriate concentration of lead ions to give the maximum propagation constant. A low loss waveguide is fabricated by the diffusion of lead or thallium ion into glass followed by selective etching.     

Investigation of the guided-mode characteristics of hollow-core photonic band-gap fibre with interstitial holes

This paper investigates the guided-mode characteristics of hollow-core photonic band-gap fibre (HC-PBGF) with interstitial holes fabricated by an improved twice stack-and-draw technique at visible wavelengths. Based on the simulation model with interstitial holes, the influence of glass interstitial apexes on photonic band-gaps is discussed. The existing forms of guided-mode in part band gaps are shown by using the full-vector plane-wave method. In the experiment, the observed transmission spectrum corresponds to the part band gaps obtained by simulation. The fundamental and second-order guided-modes with mixture of yellow and green light are observed through choosing appropriate fibre length and adjusting coupling device. The loss mechanism of guided-modes in HC-PBGF is also discussed.     

Interfacial strength in glass fibre-polypropylene composites: influence of chemical bonding and physical entanglement

For glass fibre–polypropylene (PP) composites, the non-polar nature of polypropylene presents a problem. The present investigation shows that it is necessary to introduce a functionalised PP, for example PP-g-MAH, in order to enhance the bond strength between the PP matrix and aminosilane treated glass fibre. To achieve a better bonding between the substances, three different systems (1–3) in addition to a reference system (0), have been investigated in this study. The two first are based on PP-g-MAH coupling agents, with different concentrations of acid anhydride groups, and the third is a directly reacting system. In the first system, the silane treated glass fibre is exposed to molten mixture of 95 wt% PP homopolymer and 5 wt% PP-g-MAH. In the second system, the silane treated glass fibre is covered by a thin layer of PP-g-MAH and thereafter exposed to the molten PP. The interfacial shear strength is highest for the systems with the pre-compounded graft-copolymer. The resulting influence of the selected coupling systems on the interfacial bond strength of single fibre composite is studied by fragmentation testing. The intermolecular shear strength between fibre and matrix increases with the intermolecular entanglement length of the PP-g-MAH and not by the degree of functionalisation. The PP-g-MAH mixed into the PP gave better results than the route of first covering the glass fibre with a thin layer of PP-g-MAH. This is explained in terms of the probability of generating entanglements and in terms of a weak boundary layer at the glass surface. This conclusion is also supported by the results from using the third principle, i.e. direct reaction between the PP matrix and azidosilane treated glass fibres.     

啁啾飞秒激光脉冲形成的光纤光栅的Bragg反射特性

在800nm飞秒脉冲激光照射下光敏玻璃As₂S₃光纤具有双光子吸收 现象，当一束超短激光脉冲与另一束啁啾超短激光脉冲在As₂S₃光纤相遇时，干涉图案将 永久地记录一个空间啁啾光栅.研究了该光栅结构与入射超短脉冲激光脉冲参数的关系，数值计算表明该光栅具有较大的Bragg反射带宽. 关键词： 啁啾光纤光栅 飞秒激光脉冲 双光子吸收效应     

Smoothing of an atomically rough vicinal surface – STM observation and MC simulation

Smoothing of an atomically rough vicinal surface of SrTiO₃ is studied by scanning tunneling microscope (STM) observation and by Monte Carlo (MC) simulation. A complex step pattern that resembles a two-dimensional phase separation pattern is observed on the surface. Analysis of the step pattern during annealing obtained by the STM in comparison with the MC simulation reveals an asymmetry of the relaxation pattern between islands and holes. The asymmetry is attributed to the difference of the mobility of an adatom and an atomic hole, and the asymmetry is enhanced by the step edge diffusion barrier. Values of an effective bond energy and an effective diffusion barrier as well as the surface diffusion coefficient are deduced from the relaxation pattern.     

Experimental analysis of the production of micro- and nanofibres by Laser Spinning

Laser Spinning is a new technique for the production of glass fibres with diameters in the nanometre to micrometre scale. It allows large quantities of nanofibres to be made with specific, controllable chemical compositions. Furthermore, the production of amorphous micro- and nanofibres of non-ready glass former materials was demonstrated. All these novel characteristics will potentially open up a whole new range of applications for the fibres.In this technique a high power laser is employed to melt the precursor solid material, while a supersonic gas jet is injected into the melt volume. The melt forms glass fibres as a result of its viscous elongation and cooling by the drag force and convective heat transfer produced by the gas jet. The influence of several operating conditions controlling the morphology, composition, and diameter distribution of the fibres is experimentally assessed by means of electron microscopy analysis, X-ray fluorescence and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry. The experimental results are discussed based on a theoretical explanation of the process of fibre formation. This leads ultimately to the deduction of a set of rules regarding the influence of the factors studied on the production of nanofibres by Laser Spinning.     

Model analysis of supermode generation in active 5-core optical fibre

In the paper, the phase-locked emitters in multi-core optical fibres for high power fibre lasers are presented. The influence of the normalized frequency and diameters of the cores on the shape of the pattern in the Fraunhofer diffraction region has been analysed. The simulation of coupling coefficient between cores influences on phase-locking and in the consequence on the far-field pattern of the fibre laser, based on the analyzed multi-core optical fibre, were performed. In the analyzed fibre laser, while exchanging power of the generated radiation between two adjacent cores on the fibre length (L = 5 m) within the range of 4–10%, the radiation becomes phased. Having satisfied this condition, in the far-field low-divergence, high-power laser beam (supermode) is attained. 5-core double clad optical fibre doped with neodymium ions was fabricated. Luminescence spectra of the manufactured fibre were measured.     

Acoustical and fire-retardant properties of jute composite materials

This research aims to study the acoustical and flammability properties of biodegradable and easily disposable natural fibre jute and its composite for noise reduction in house hold appliances, automotive and architectural applications. Acoustical properties of jute fibre and felt (natural rubber latex jute composite) were measured in terms of normal specific sound absorption coefficient and sound transmission loss whereas fire retardant tests included limiting oxygen, flame propagation and smoke density test. The results illustrate that low density jute is a better sound absorber as compared to high density jute material, moreover natural rubber latex jute composite gives higher sound transmission class value than jute felt/cloth. Results were also compared with commercially available synthetic, non-biodegradable, glass fibre which indicates that the noise reduction coefficient value and sound transmission class rating of natural rubber latex jute felt are comparable to that of the popular fibre glass. Fire retardant tests show composite’s high limiting oxygen index value as compared to fibreboard and other natural sound absorbing material, wool, low smoke density rating and low light absorption with respect to fibre glass as well as self fire extinguishing ability.     

Fibre gratings and devices for sensors and lasers

Although mainstream grating writing, more often than not using single photon excitation of germanosilicate based defects with CW 244 nm light, remains the key technology for complex devices it is now being complemented by a whole host of processes which can enhance and tailor the properties of both conventional and not‐so‐conventional fibre Bragg gratings. Further, processes for writing of gratings in non‐germanosilicate fibres have also continued to develop and include multi‐photon excitation directly into the band edge of the glass. It is now possible to custom tailor a gratings property based on the application and the nature of production as well as custom tailor the grating writing process to suit the type of fibre and application. Examples and suggestions where these can benefit sensors and lasers are outlined.     

On the use of single fibre composites testing to characterise the interface in natural fibre composites

In recent years, natural fibre composites have received considerable attention as a serious contender to replace glass fibres in composite material applications. One of the key aspects in composite materials is the interface between the reinforcing fibres and the matrix and a critical assessment of the interfacial bond is needed for a successful design of the final component. Natural fibres possess many intriguing advantages over man-made fibres such as glass, but they also present serious difficulties, especially in terms of material heterogeneity and more specifically in terms of fibre diameter. In this sense, most of the traditional methods for interfacial characterisation are difficult to apply, since the required data reduction involves the use of stress analysis or fracture mechanics approaches in which the fibre diameter is a critical parameter. In the present study, interfacial characterisation is discussed for flax fibre/polypropylene composites and a sensitivity analysis is presented for the single fibre fragmentation test. The results indicate that traditional stress analysis fails to correctly assess the interface, whilst a statistical based data analysis can overcome the fibre heterogeneity problem.     

Glass Transition Temperature of Water： from Simulations of Diffusion and Excess Entropy

We report a computer simulation study of the glass transition of water with SP2 potential. The temperature dependences of the diffusion coefficient and the excess entropy on cooling process are calculated. It is found that both the diffusion coefficient and the excess entropy show a break point at 160K. Our results support the viewpoint that the glass transition temperature is 160K. According to the calculated viscosity, we obtain a fragility index of water to be 326, which is much larger than the value accepted before.     

Efficient Fibre Amplifiers Based on a Highly Er3＋/Yb3＋ Codoped Phosphate Glass-Fibre

Highly Er3＋ /yb3＋-codoped single-mode phosphate glass fibre is fabricated by the rod-in-tube technique. The performances of high-concentration Er3＋ /yb3＋-codoped phosphate glass fibre amplifiers are investigated and discussed. An efficient optical fibre amplifier with a gain of 12.6 dB based on a 3.0 cm long Era＋ /ybe＋-codoped phosphate glass fibre is demonstrated under a dual-pump configuration with two 976 nm fibre-pigtail laser diodes, which make it attractive for compact Er3＋-doped fibre amplifiers. The obtedned noise figures of signal wavelength from 1525 to 1565nm are less than 6.0dB. Gain saturation behaviour at 1535nm is also investigated, and the obtained saturation output power is larger than 10 dBm.     

A simulation study of the e~+/e~- sensitivity of a low resistive phosphate glass electrode in a RPC using GEANT MC

The resistivity of conventional glass is quite high and is unacceptable in a high rate environment. Low resistive glass-electrodes could be a solution for this problem. The present study reports the e+/e-simulation results of an RPC detector made from low resistive phosphate glass electrodes. The detailed geometrical configuration of the content materials which are the essential components of the glass of the RPC detector have been created with the GEANT4 simulation code. Two different types of particle sources, i.e. for e+/e-, have been located on the detectors surface to evaluate the performance of the phosphate glass RPC. Both of the particles have been simulated as a function of their respective energies in the range of 0.1 MeV – 1.0 GeV. The present simulation work has shown that the resistive electrode plays an important role for the particle production in the RPC configuration.     

Light coupling problems for GaAs laser-multimode fibre coupling

Two methods of coupling a multimode fibre to a GaAs double-heterostructure laser are investigated: firstly direct coupling into a plane fibre end face, and secondly coupling via a cylindrical glass fibre lens. The power coupled into the fibre was measured for three different lasers (and with one laser as a function of its bias current). The measured coupling efficiency was compared with theoretical considerations. Optical feedback effects due to reflection of the fibre end face have been observed. These cause an oscillation of the coupled power, when the separation between the laser and the fibre end face is varied by only a few tenths of a micron. The alignment tolerances using a fibre lens were, as expected, more critical than for direct coupling.     

XPS identification of surface-initiated polymerisation during monomer transfer moulding of poly(?-caprolactone)/Bioglass fibre composite

In this work, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was demonstrated to be a useful method to characterise surface-initiated polymerisation. Both E-glass fibre and Bioglass^® fibre were treated using 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (and propyltrimethoxysilane as a control) and then they were used as a reinforcement, respectively, in monomer transfer moulding to prepare poly(?-caprolactone)/glass fibre composites with stannous octoate as the catalyst for ?-caprolactone polymerisation. The fibre was extracted and then analysed using XPS to probe the presence of PCL chemically bonded to the glass fibre surface. Both tin and PCL were detected on the surface of the fibres sized with 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, confirming surface-initiated polymerisation of ?-caprolactone.     

Group index dispersion of holey fibres measured by a white-light spectral interferometric technique

We present a new white-light interferometric technique to measure the group index of holey fibres over a wide wavelength range. The technique utilizes an unbalanced Mach–Zehnder interferometer with a fibre under test of known length placed in one of the interferometer arms and the other arm with adjustable path length. In a first step, the differential group index of the fibre is measured over a wide wavelength range. In a second step, the fibre is replaced by the reference sample of known thickness and group dispersion to determine precisely the group index of the fibre at one specific wavelength. The group index as a function of wavelength is measured for two different holey fibres, one made of pure silica glass and the other made of SK222 glass. For both fibres, the wavelength dependence of the group index of the outer cladding and modes supported by the fibre is measured.     

Entropy production in a two-dimensional reversible Gray-Scott system

The entropy production sigma is calculated in the time evolution processes toward a Turing-like pattern and a chaotic pattern in a two-dimensional reaction-diffusion system. The contributions of reaction and diffusion to the entropy production are evaluated separately. Though its contribution to total sigma is about 5%, the entropy production in diffusion foretells the moving direction of the dots (reaction spots) and the line-shaped patterns. The entropy production of the entire system sigma depicts well the cooperative dynamics and evolution of chaotic dot patterns. It is suggested that sigma can be a scalar measure for quantitative studies of hierarchic pattern dynamics. The relation is also discussed between the bifurcation parameter and the distance from thermodynamic equilibrium.     

Silica waveguides on silicon and their application to integrated-optic components

A marriage of optical fibre fabrication technology and LSI microfabrication technology gave birth to fibre-matched silica waveguides on silicon: thick glass layers of high-silica-content glass are deposited on silicon by flame hydrolysis, a method originally developed for fibre preform fabrication. Silica channel waveguides are then formed by photolithographic pattern definition processes followed by reactive ion etching. This high silica (HiS) technology offers the possibility of integrating a number of passive functions on a single silicon chip, as well as the possibility of the hybrid integration of both active and passive devices on silicon. This paper reviews the NTT HiS technology and its application to integrated-optic components such as optical beam splitters, optical switches, wavelength-division multi/demultiplexers and optical frequency-division multi/demultiplexers. The clear and simple waveguide structures produced by the HiS technology make it possible to design and fabricate these components with high precision and excellent reproducibility.     

含杂质无格点基底表面分枝状凝聚体的计算机模拟

根据含杂质熔融玻璃表面金原子凝聚的实验规律，在原子团簇具有随机的线扩散步长和刚性 转动角度的特征条件下，建立了含杂质无格点基底表面的各向异性团簇-团簇凝聚模型，对 团簇的无规扩散、刚性转动以及凝聚全过程进行了计算机模拟，系统地研究了基底表面无规 分布的杂质区域对分枝状凝聚体诸多特性的影响，所得结果与实验事实相符合. 关键词： 薄膜生长 Monte Carlo模拟 分形     

Tracer diffusion in fibre networks: the impact of spatial fluctuations in the fibre distribution

A mean-field formalism that addresses spatial non-uniformities in fibre networks is combined with the cylindrical cell model to calculate the diffusion constant for a spherical tracer. Deviations from randomness in the fibre distribution are described by an operational distribution over volume fractions that is parametrized by mean values for the pore radii and void space chord lengths. Weight factors for elements with different radii in the cell model are assigned in a manner that enforces agreement with the distribution over pore sizes predicted by our treatment of heterogeneous networks. Illustrative calculations suggest that the tracer diffusion constant is quite sensitive to non-uniformities in the network, particularly for tracer particles with radii that are large compared to the fibre diameter.