Temperature and strain sensitivities of surface and hybrid acoustic wave Brillouin scattering in optical microfibers

Temperature and strain sensitivities of surface acoustic wave (SAW) and hybrid acoustic wave (HAW) Brillouin scattering (BS) in 1 μm-1.3 μm diameter optical microfibers are simulated. In contrast to stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) from bulk acoustic wave in standard optical fiber, SAW and HAW BS, due to SAWs and HAWs induced by the coupling of longitudinal and shear waves and propagating along the surface and core of microfiber respectively, facilitate innovative detection in optical microfibers sensing. The highest temperature and strain sensitivities of the hybrid acoustic modes (HAMs) are 1.082 MHz/℃ and 0.0289 MHz/με, respectively, which is suitable for microfiber sensing application of high temperature and strain resolutions. Meanwhile, the temperature and strain sensitivities of the SAMs are less affected by fiber diameter changes, ranging from 0.05 MHz/℃/μ to 0.25 MHz/℃/μ and 1×10^-4 MHz/με/μ to 5×10^-4 MHz/με/μ, respectively. It can be found that that SAW BS for temperature and strain sensing would put less stress on manufacturing constraints for optical microfibers. Besides, the simultaneous sensing of temperature and strain can be realized by SAW and HAW BS, with temperature and strain errors as low as 0.30 ℃-0.34 ℃ and 14.47 με-16.25 με.     

Investigation on the suppression of stimulated Brillouin scattering in single-frequency Raman fiber amplifiers

High power operation of single-frequency Raman fiber amplifiers (SF-RFAs) is usually limited by the onset of stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS). In this paper, we present our theoretical investigation on the suppression of SBS in SF-RFAs, based on the intensity equations combining SBS and stimulated Raman scattering (SRS). The effects of increasing the mode area of fiber and utilizing temperature and strain gradients along the fiber on the suppression of SBS are discussed. The simulation results suggest that it is not an advisable method to suppress SBS in SF-RFAs by increasing the mode area. Besides, although tensile strain and temperature gradients can suppress SBS in RFA singly, the conditions are too rigorous to realize. Based on the numerical simulation results, a feasible scheme for the suppression of SBS in RFA is proposed using the temperature gradients together with tensile strain gradients along the fiber length, resulting in an increase of ～3 times of amplifiers output power.     

光子晶体光纤中布里渊散射声波模式特性的分析

推导了光子晶体光纤中声波微小位移波动方程; 研究了泵浦波长以及纤芯折射率对声波模式的影响; 应用石英圆柱模型研究了小芯径光子晶体光纤中纤芯直径对布里渊声波模式色散的影响. 结果表明在光子晶体光纤中, 纵向声波和横向声波共同作用产生质点声场, 两者相互耦合将产生混合声波模式; 可以通过改变泵浦波长或光子晶体光纤纤芯折射率来改变参与布里渊散射(BS) 过程的声波模式的传播常数; 随着光子晶体光纤(PCF) 纤芯直径的增大, 声波模式耦合程度得到加强, 相速度呈减小趋势, 且同一传播常数下, 声波模式数呈增多趋势; 随着泵浦波频率的增大, 声波相速度减小.     

Characterization of stimulated Brillouin scattering spectra by use of optical single-sideband modulation

We introduce an enhanced method for the characterization of stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) spectra in single-mode fiber that is based on optical single-sideband modulation. This novel technique is shown to provide high-resolution characterization of SBS even under saturation operation in a simple and stable setup in which the spectrum is translated from the optical to the electrical domain, sweeping the frequency of an electrical signal generator. Experimental results are used to demonstrate the performance of the system in measuring the detailed structure of acoustic modes in three types of single-mode fiber.     

Tilted fiber Bragg grating sensors

Optical fiber gratings have developed into a mature technology with a wide range of applications in various areas, including physical sensing for temperature, strain, acoustic waves and pressure. All of these applications rely on the perturbation of the period or refractive index of a grating inscribed in the fiber core as a transducing mechanism between a quantity to be measured and the optical spectral response of the fiber grating. This paper presents a relatively recent variant of the fiber grating concept, whereby a small tilt of the grating fringes causes coupling of the optical power from the core mode into a multitude of cladding modes, each with its own wavevector and mode field shape. The main consequence of doing so is that the differential response of the modes can then be used to multiply the sensing modalities available for a single fiber grating and also to increase the sensor resolution by taking advantage of the large amount of data available. In particular, the temperature cross‐sensitivity and power source fluctuation noise inherent in all fiber grating designs can be completely eliminated by referencing all the spectral measurements to the wavelength and power level of the core mode back‐reflection. The mode resonances have a quality factor of 10⁵, and they can be observed in reflection or transmission. A thorough review of experimental and theoretical results will show that tilted fiber Bragg gratings can be used for high resolution refractometry, surface plasmon resonance applications, and multiparameter physical sensing (strain, vibration, curvature, and temperature).     

The study of guided waves in surfaces and thin supported films using surface Brillouin scattering and acoustic microscopy

This paper reviews the use of surface Brillouin scattering (SBS) and acoustic microscopy (AM) in studying the surface dynamics of solids in order to obtain information about the near-surface elastic properties of solids and thin supported films. The vibrational modes that are probed by these means include Rayleigh surface and pseudo-surface acoustic waves, longitudinal lateral waves (surface skimming bulk longitudinal waves) and various thin film guided modes, such as Sezawa and Love waves. SBS is the inelastic scattering of light, mediated by thermodynamic fluctuations in the surface elevation and near surface elastic strains. The scattering cross-section is conveniently expressed in terms of Fourier domain elastodynamic Green's functions. AM depends on the insonification of a surface through a coupling fluid, and the resulting excitation and subsequent decay of the various surface modes. The complex reflectivity of the fluid-loaded surface, and the line and point force surface Green's functions are invoked in the interpretation of different modalities of AM, yielding much the same information about the surface dynamics. The focus in this paper is on the Green's function approach. A number of illustrative examples, drawn from the authors' research, are provided.     

Ge-codoped fibers for mitigating stimulated Brillouin scattering in high power fiber amplifiers

Rare-earth doped fibers for high power fiber amplifiers normally have a small refractive index difference between the core and inner cladding, but have a larger core diameter than conventional telecom fibers. We take advantage of this feature as well as the difference between the optical and acoustic waveguides and proposed several fiber designs to mitigate Stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) to produce higher output powers. The numerical modeling shows that an increase in SBS threshold by 3-6 dB can be achieved using Ge-codopant while maintaining diffraction limited beam quality. The key parameters that can affect the SBS performance are specified and optimal parameters for SBS suppression are obtained. The study also highlights the need to take into account the effects of minor refractive index profile variation in evaluating SBS performance.     

18 W single-stage single-frequency acoustically tailored Raman fiber amplifier

A single-mode polarization-maintaining fiber doped to increase the Raman gain while suppressing stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) was utilized in a single-stage counter-pumped Raman fiber amplifier. The SBS suppression was achieved through the acoustic tailoring of the core. A pump probe experiment was conducted to characterize the Brillouin gain and indicated the existence of multiple Brillouin peaks. When the amplifier was seeded with approximately 15 mW of 1178 nm light, 11.5 W of cw output power was obtained with a linewidth ≤2 MHz. The application of a thermal gradient to further mitigate the SBS process increased the output power to 18 W, thus providing a net amplifier gain >30 dB.     

掺镱光纤放大器中的热效应分析

为了研究掺镱双包层单频光纤放大器中受激布里渊散射产生的规律,从含有受激布理渊散射的速率方程和热传导方程出发,对光纤放大器中的热效应问题进行了理论分析.讨论了泵浦功率、包层半径和换热系数对受激布理渊散射的影响,所得结论为实验研究单频光纤放大器中受激布理渊散射的变化规律提供了理论依据.     

Suppression of stimulated Brillouin scattering in high-power single-frequency fiber amplifiers

The effect of temperature variation along a high-power fiber amplifier on the stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) threshold is considered theoretically. We show that for an end-pumped rare-earth-doped double-clad fiber the inhomogeneous distribution of temperature, which is caused by the absorption of pump radiation, may result in total suppression of SBS even for output powers well above 200 W.     

基于石英柱模型的光子晶体光纤异常布里渊散射特性的理论研究

通过石英圆柱模型,理论研究了小芯径光子晶体光纤中混合声波模式的色散、模式耦合以及声光相互作用,理论计算出了布里渊散射增益系数谱的双峰结构及其随抽运光波长和温度的演化规律. 理论分析表明光子晶体光纤中布里渊散射增益系数谱的双峰结构源于小芯径光子晶体光纤中混合声波模式之间的模式耦合. 通过温度改变导致的材料参数变化对声波模式色散特性的影响,特别是声波模式耦合点的移动,解释了双峰结构随外界温度的变化规律. 并且,通过理论计算与实验结果的对比讨论了石英圆柱模型的局限性和适用范围. 关键词： 布里渊散射 声光相互作用 模式耦合 光子晶体光纤     

Stimulated Brillouin scattering slow-light-based fiber-optic temperature sensor

We propose and experimentally demonstrate a method for temperature sensing using stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS)-based slow light. The approach relies on temperature dependence of the Brillouin frequency shift in a fiber, hence the time delay of an input probe pulse. By measuring the delay, temperature sensing can be realized. We achieve temperature measurement in a 100 m single-mode fiber (SMF) using a cw pump. The main temperature-sensing range is ～18°C from the room temperature, limited by the SBS gain bandwidth. To apply the technique for measurement of a shorter fiber segment, a pulsed pump is used to introduce SBS slow light. Temperature sensing is achieved in a 2 m SMF with a main sensing range of around ～25°C. The scheme is easily implemented, exhibits a relatively high temperature sensitivity with a resolution better than 1.0°C, and is potentially applicable for distributed sensing.     

Strain and temperature characterization of photonic crystal fiber Bragg gratings

A Bragg grating in a photonic crystal fiber was written and its dependence with temperature and strain analyzed. The two observed Bragg wavelengths correspond to a fundamental and a higher-order mode in the optical fiber. The temperature and strain calibration curves for both modes are measured and found to be distinct. The general properties of gratings in these fibers, and their implications, are enunciated.     

Stimulated Brillouin scattering in highly birefringent microstructure fiber: experimental analysis

We report on an experimental analysis of stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) in a 20-m-long highly birefringent microstructure fiber for sensing applications. In particular, an experimental setup based on Brillouin optical frequency-domain analysis, operating at a wavelength of 1550 nm, has been employed in order to analyze the distribution of Brillouin frequency shift along the fiber, as well as to study the dependence of Brillouin frequency shift on optical polarization, temperature, and strain. Our results indicate that, for any fixed polarization, the fiber has a dual-peaked Brillouin spectrum. A study about the origin of these two peaks is presented.     

用双周期光纤光栅实现温度和应变的同时测量

介绍了光纤光栅传感器的一般原理，分析了长周期光纤光栅和Bragg光纤光栅的应变和温度响应机理。结果表明，长周期光纤光栅和Bragg光纤光栅的温度和应变灵敏度不仅与纤芯参数和光栅周期有关，还依赖于包层参数。在同一根光纤上先后写入长周期光纤光栅、Bragg光纤光栅，利用长周期光纤光栅和Bragg光纤光栅基模与包层模耦合时温度和应变灵敏度的不同，实现应变和温度的同时测量。     

Observation of orbital angular momentum transfer between acoustic and optical vortices in optical fiber

Acousto-optic interaction in optical fiber is examined from the perspective of copropagating optical and acoustic vortex modes. Calculation of the acousto-optic coupling coefficient between different optical modes leads to independent conservation of spin and orbital angular momentum of the interacting photons and phonons. We show that the orbital angular momentum of the acoustic vortex can be transferred to a circularly polarized fundamental optical mode to form a stable optical vortex in the fiber carrying orbital angular momentum. The technique provides a useful way of generating stable optical vortices in the fiber medium.     

Acoustic longitudinal mode coupling in w-shaped Al/Ge Co-doped fibre

This paper proposes a novel fibre structure aiming at distributed temperature and strain sensing. Utilizing Al₂O₃ and GeO₂ as dopants to form a w-shaped acoustic waveguide, it realizes modal coupling between longitudinal acoustic modes of its inner and outer core layers, leading to a dual-peak or multi-peak Brillouin gain spectrum. The relationship between the acoustic mode coupling properties and the fibre materials, doping concentrations and structural parameters are investigated, showing that the positions of mode coupling points in acoustic dispersion curves and the coupling intensities can be designed flexibly. A specific fibre design for the discriminative sensing of temperature and strain under a pump wavelength of 1.55 μm is given. The responses of its Brillouin gain properties on temperature and strain are analysed theoretically, demonstrating its potential for distributed fibre Brillouin sensing.     

Temperature-independent strain sensor made from tapered holey optical fiber

A large-mode-area holey fiber was tapered to a point in which the airholes collapsed, and its dependence on temperature and strain was studied. The transmission spectrum of such a fiber exhibits a series of peaks owing to the interference between the modes of the solid taper waist. We found that the interference peaks shifted to shorter wavelengths as the taper was elongated. However, the peaks were insensitive to temperature. The fabrication and advantages of our novel wavelength-encoded temperature-independent strain sensor compared with other optical fiber strain sensors are discussed.     

Elastic and anelastic relaxations in the relaxor ferroelectric Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3: II. Strain-order parameter coupling and dynamic softening mechanisms

Elastic and anelastic behaviour of single crystal and ceramic samples of Pb(Mg(1/3)Nb(2/3))O(3) has been investigated at frequencies of ~0.1-1.2 MHz through the temperature interval 10-800 K by resonant ultrasound spectroscopy (RUS). Comparison with data from the literature shows that softening of the shear modulus between the Burns temperature and the freezing interval is independent of frequency. The softening is attributed to coupling between acoustic modes and the relaxation mode(s) responsible for central peaks in Raman and neutron scattering spectra below the Burns temperature, and can be described with Vogel-Fulcher parameters. Shear elastic compliance and dielectric permittivity show similar patterns of temperature dependence through the freezing interval, demonstrating strong coupling between ferroelectric polarization and strain such that the response to applied stress is more or less the same as the response to an applied electric field, with a frequency dependence consistent with Vogel-Fulcher-like freezing in both cases. Differences in detail show, however, that shearing induces flipping between different twin orientations, in comparison with the influence of an electric field, which induces 180° flipping: the activation energy barrier for the former appears to be higher than for the latter. Below the freezing interval, the anelastic loss also has a similar pattern of evolution to the dielectric loss, signifying again that essentially the same mechanism is involved in the freezing process. Overall softening at low temperatures is attributed to the contributions of strain relaxations due to coupling with the local ferroelectric order parameter and of coupling between acoustic modes and continuing relaxational modes of the polar nanostructure. Dissipation is attributed to movement of boundaries between PNRs or between correlated clusters of PNRs. Overall, strain coupling is fundamental to the development of the characteristic strain, dielectric and elastic properties of relaxors.     

Surface Brillouin scattering of opaque solids and thin supported films

Surface Brillouin scattering (SBS) has been used successfully for the study of acoustic excitations in opaque solids and thin supported films, at both ambient and high temperatures. A number of different systems have been investigated recently by SBS including crystalline silicon, amorphous silicon layers produced by ion bombardment and their high temperature recrystallisation, vanadium carbides, and a nickel-based superalloy. The most recent development includes the measurement of a supported gold film at high pressure. The extraction of the elastic constants is successfully accomplished by a combination of the angular dependence of surface wave velocities and the longitudinal wave threshold within the Lamb shoulder. The application of surface Green's function methods successfully reproduces the experimental SBS spectra. The discrepancies often observed between surface wave velocities and by ultrasonics measurements have been investigated and a detailed correction procedure for the SBS measurements has been developed.