Determination of thermo-optic coefficient in liquids with fiber Bragg grating refractometer

In this work the thermo-optic coefficients of hydrocarbon samples have been determined using etched fiber Bragg grating (FBG), where the effective refractive index (RI) of the fundamental mode becomes dependent on the surrounding refractive index. The technique is based on the cross-sensitivity that the device presents to temperature and refractive index. The thermal response of FBG is characterized for samples with different refractive indices. The inherent temperature effects are distinguished from the RI, due to induced effects changes in the refractive index caused by the thermo-optic effect. For comparison purposes, literature data has been used to work with such parameters for water. The parameter obtained for ethanol (−3.99 ± 0.20) × 10⁻⁴ °C⁻¹ at 1550 nm is in close proximity with the literature data, −4 × 10⁻⁴ °C⁻¹, in the visible range.     

Determination of the refractive index over a wide wavelength range through time-delay measurements of femtosecond pulses

We present a simple method to measure the refractive index dispersion over a broad wavelength range (0.6-1.6 μm). In a first step, the optical group indices are obtained by measuring the time-retardation of tunable 150 fs laser pulses within a sample relative to air. The refractive index dispersion is then calculated using a Sellmeier equation that describes the measured group index dispersion. We show that our experimental data agree with previously published results to within 2 × 10⁻⁴ for a 3 mm thick sample of fused silica and to within 3 × 10⁻³ for the index n₁ of a 2 mm thick crystal of the highly dispersive and anisotropic organic crystal 4-N,N-dimethylamino-4′-N′-methyl stilbazolium tosylate (DAST).     

Photonic crystal fiber sensor based on hybrid mechanisms: Plasmonic and directional resonance coupling

We propose a special refractive index sensor design based on a photonic crystal fiber. Two analyte channels are introduced, with one analyte channel coated with gold layer and the other one without gold layer. A hybrid resonance method is used in the sensor to achieve a large dynamic index range, where surface plasmon resonance occurs when the analyte index is lower than that of the fiber material, while the core mode couples with the resonant mode of the adjacent analyte-filled cylinder when the analyte index is larger than the fiber material. When considering fluorinated polymer fibers, a broad index range of analyte refractive index from 1.25 to 1.45 with high sensitivity can be achieved. The maximal sensitivities reach 1.4 × 10⁴ nm/RIU and 2.7 × 10⁴ nm/RIU respectively when refractive index is in the range of 1.25 to 1.383 and 1.383 to 1.45. The sensor characteristics, make this simple sensor very interesting for detecting a wide range of fluid's refractive index or chemical agent concentration.     

γ辐射对光纤波导电磁场分布的影响

开展了光纤波导中的电磁场传输理论分析,得到了光纤折射率变化对波导中电磁场分布的影响规律,建立了块状融石英材料及光纤光栅在60Co 辐射作用下折射率变化的测量系统,开展了折射率随辐射剂量变化及光纤模场测量实验。结果表明:光纤的折射率随辐射剂量的增加而增大,折射率的变化会引起波导中传输模式的场强分布变化,从而导致光纤的辐射感生波导损耗;在一定的辐射剂量范围（0～2000 Gy）内,光纤仍满足弱导边界条件,能够维持对传输模式的约束能力。     

Ultrasensitive UV-tunable grating in all-solid photonic bandgap fibers

We study the shift of a long period grating’s resonance wavelength with UV induced refractive index changes in an all-solid photonic bandgap fiber. A long period grating is mechanically imprinted in an all-solid photonic bandgap fiber with Germanium doped silica high-index rods in a lower-index silica background. The index of the high-index rods is modified through UV exposure, and we observe that the long period grating’s resonance shifts with the bandgaps. With a sensitivity of 21,000 nanometers per refractive index unit and a 8.8 nm resonance width changes of refractive index of 3 × 10⁻⁶ are in principle detectable     

Investigation of refractive index modifications in CW CO2 laser written planar optical waveguides

This paper presents the measurement of the refractive index profile of buried channel waveguides fabricated by a CW CO₂ direct writing technique. A reflectance method is used to assess the refractive index distribution n(x,y) in these structures as it is a key parameter determining the propagation properties of guided wave devices. Beam propagation method (BMP) is used with experimentally determined cross-sectional data and refractive index profile to model the waveguides. The spatial resolution is 1.3 μm and, 5.10⁻⁴ for the refractive index.     

Nonlinear Refractive Index of Er3+-Doped Fiber and Its Application to Nonlinear Fiber Coupler

A large change in the refractive index originating in the transition absorption of erbium ions is induced in an Er³⁺-doped fiber. It is shown that the Er³⁺-doped fiber exhibits the nonlinear refractive index of n₂=7.4 × 10⁻¹⁵ m²/W, which is 10⁵−10⁶ times larger than that caused by the optical Kerr effect in a usual silica fiber at the pumping, wavelength of 514.5 nm. The large nonlinear refractive index occurred in a fiber directional coupler fabricated with the Er³⁺-doped fiber optically changes the coupling condition. The coupling ratio changes up to 0.16 by increasing the pumping power up to 0.7 mW.     

Measurement of impurity and temperature variations in water by interferometry technique

Refractive index is an important optical parameter of liquids, which is temperature, concentration and wavelength-dependent. Therefore, precise measurement of refractive index variation can be used for precise determination of the above parameters. In this paper a laser-based interferometry technique was introduced for accurate measuring of the refractive index variation due to temperature, and concentration changes. Distilled water was used as a test liquid sample, however the technique can be applied for any similar liquids. The concentration variations of distilled water due to three different impurities i.e. ethanol, salt water and tap water were examined. The technique gives measurement for concentration and temperature variations typically at the order ∼10⁻⁴(g/l)⁻¹ and 10⁻⁵ K⁻¹ respectively. The results show the variations of refractive index with respect to temperature or concentration can be measured typically with an accuracy of ∼6%, and 10% respectively. The method is useful for fast and precise monitoring of temperature and concentration variations in transparent liquids.     

Femtosecond Fourier interferometry of a nonideal plasma

Experimental diagnostic methods based on the measurement of the reflectance of a plasma are considered. The application of Fourier interferometry for measuring the dynamics of variation of the amplitude and phase of the complex reflectance of the Au plasma for various delay times in intervals shorter than 1 ps relative to the pumping laser pulse with a femtosecond time resolution is described in detail in the intensity range ∼10¹³–10¹⁴ W/cm². The variation of the complex refractive index of the heated Au target for a pump pulse intensity of ∼10¹²–10¹³ W/cm² is analyzed on the basis of experimental data using the Fresnel formulas.     

Measurement of refractive index variation of liquids by surface plasmon resonance and wavelength-modulated heterodyne interferometry

In this study an alternative method based on surface plasmon resonance is proposed for in-situ monitoring of variation in the refractive index of a test sample. A wavelength-modulated light source and an unequal-path-length optical configuration heterodyne interferometer are used to detect the phase difference change, which can then be used to estimate the change in the refractive index of a test sample. The experimental results demonstrate a phase stability of 0.02°. The resolution power of the refractive index is 1.5 × 10^− 6 RIU. This method has several advantages over previously used methods such as simple optical setup, easier operation in real time, and low cost.     

Effect of concentration and particle size on nonlinearity of Au nano-fluid prepared by γ (Co) radiation

Nonlinear properties of Au nano-fluid prepared by γ-radiation method at different concentrations were investigated. Measurements of nonlinear refractive index and nonlinear absorption coefficient were carried out using a single beam Z-scan technique. A green CW laser beam operated at 532 nm was used as excitation source. The Au nano-fluid shows a good third order nonlinear response. The sign of the nonlinear refractive index is found to be negative and the magnitude is in the order of 10⁻⁷ cm²/W. This nonlinear effect increases as the concentration increases from 3.119 × 10⁻⁴ to 2.354 × 10⁻³ M which correspond to particle sizes of 4.0-30.5 nm, respectively. A good linear relationship was obtained between nonlinear refractive index and concentration. However the relationship between nonlinear refractive index and particle size was nonlinear behavior.     

Chaos in Fiber-Optic Stimulated Brillouin Scattering without External Feedback in Large Nonlinear Refractive Index Regime

Stokes dynamics in stimulated Brillouin scattering generated in optical fibers is analyzed over a wide range of nonlinear refractive indices under a no feedback condition. The Stokes fluctuation becomes complicated as the nonlinear refractive index increases. Chaotic behavior appears without external feedback at a large nonlinear refractive index of 1×10^-19 m²/V² with pump power larger than 0.3 W.     

探测大气湍流的光强闪烁激光雷达

基于残余光强闪烁理论,分析了与大气湍流探测有关的激光雷达各项硬件参数并获得参数的优化范围,据此研制了一台用于大气湍流探测的光强闪烁激光雷达。背景基线、线性特征等性能测试表明,激光雷达各硬件工作正常,数据获取可靠。实验测量中获得了水平方向上闪烁指数和大气折射率结构常数随探测距离和时间的变化趋势,其中闪烁指数在450~2000 m探测距离范围内由0.001逐渐增大至0.350左右;大气折射率结构常数基本保持水平均匀性,在1.010-16~1.010-15m-2/3范围之内;大气折射率结构常数在10:00~21:00时间内大致呈现上午上升、下午下降、晚上上升的变化趋势,具有较明显的日变化特征。实验结果与理论和常规测量较为相符,表明光强闪烁激光雷达能够获取大气湍流的探测距离变化和日变化特征信息。     

Nonlinear change in refractive index of Co2+:ZnSe at short-pulse single-beam 1.54-μm Z-scan probing

An experimental study and theoretical modeling of the nonlinear change in refractive index of a Co^{2 +}: ZnSe crystal at the short-pulse single-beam probing at the wavelength 1.54 μm is reported. In the experimental conditions of negligible contributions in the index non-linearity stemming from the Kerr-effect and inhomogeneous heating, the nonlinear change in refractive index in Co^{2 +}:ZnSe is shown to be caused by the resonant Co^{2 +} population-perturbation effect (i.e., by the Co^{2 +} ground-state absorption saturation). The Z-scan single-beam technique and novel theoretical approach addressing the resonant nonlinear refraction in a saturable doped medium are used, respectively, for an experimental and theoretical inspection of the phenomenon. For a set of Co^{2 +}:ZnSe samples with different concentrations of Co^{2 +} ions at the short-pulse (200 ns) mJ-range probing, we show that the maximal nonlinear change in refractive index is about of units of 10^{− 4} at the chosen wavelength.     

Effect of Ag addition on the third-order nonlinearity and physicochemical property of chalcohalide glass

In this work, the 70GeS₂–20In₂S₃–10CsI glass introduced with 0–10 mol% Ag₂S were prepared by the vacuumed melt-quenching technique. The physicochemical properties, such as glass transition temperature, density, refractive index, transmittance, hardness as well as third-order nonlinearity are investigated with the increasing Ag₂S contents. It was found that the refractive index (@632.8 nm), density, and hardness of glasses increase distinctly from 2.204 to 2.270, from 3.520 to 3.675 g cm⁻³ and from 180.9 to 227.9 kg mm⁻², respectively. Meanwhile, the nonlinear refractive index increases from 3.2 × 10⁻¹⁸ to 4.6 × 10⁻¹⁸ m²/W due to the increased refractive index. Finally, the Raman spectra are performed to structurally illustrate the role of Ag addition on the changes of the physicochemical properties. With the Ag₂S contents increasing, the vibration intensity of the [InS₄] and [InS₃I] tetrahedrons increases and the heavy Ag atoms result in the increased density and refractive index, as well as the nonlinear refractive index. The Ag-containing glass, which exhibited good thermal stability, excellent infrared transparency and ultrafast nonlinear optical properties, can be find applications for the IR window material or ultrafast infrared optics.     

Optical study of the electronic structure and magnetic ordering in a weak ferromagnet FeBO<Subscript>3</Subscript>

Spectral dependences of the relative permittivity ɛ = ɛ₁ − iɛ₂ of a uniaxial weak ferromagnet FeBO₃ are measured for two principal polarizations in the energy range 0.6–5.6 eV. The positions have been determined for the charge-transfer transitions that make the main contribution to absorption above the bandgap and determine the refractive-index dispersion below the bandgap. The isotropic magnetic contribution to the refractive index has been detected by studying the temperature dependence of the refractive index in the range 100–700 K; its value (≈2 × 10⁻²) is found to be record high for magnetic dielectrics. The energy shift of the effective oscillator, which characterizes the shift of the positions of the charge-transfer transitions due to magnetic ordering, is determined from these data within the framework of a single-oscillator model. The value of the exchange striction in FeBO₃ is determined from optical measurements.     

Large refractive index with vanishing absorption in optical fibers

We propose and demonstrate a novel scheme for realizing large refractive index with vanishing absorption in a three-level quantum system consisting of the energy levels of Er³⁺-doped ZrF₄–BaF₂–LaF₃–AlF₃–NaF (ZBLAN) optical fiber. It is found that the refractive index of the probe field can be controlled via the coherent coupling field and incoherent pumping field. The switching from negative refractive index to positive refractive index and manipulation of the value of the index of refraction while maintaining vanishing absorption of the probe field can be achieved via tuning the detuning of the coherent coupling field. Our scheme may provide some new possibility for technological applications in fiber communication.     

A note on the interface functions

The functions B₁(τ), D₂(τ), and D₃(τ), which arise in the study of radiative transfer through a planar medium with a relative refractive index different from unity, have been investigated. These functions reduce to exponential integrals when the refractive index of the medium is equal to that of the surroundings. Their behavior has been examined and is presented graphically and in tabular form for various ratios of the interface refractive index. When the interface refractive index ratio is larger than 1.2, these functions can be accurately approximated by an exponential of the form a e^?bτ.     

Optimization of photonic bandgap fiber long period grating refractive-index sensors

Long period gratings in low-index contrast solid-core photonic bandgap fibers are a promising platform for fiber-based fluid refractive index sensing with very low detection limits. We provide a comprehensive investigation of the possibilities for refractive index sensing using that principle in a commercial photonic crystal fiber filled with a fluid: using an acoustic grating, we map out the cladding bands, and use this data to optimize a long period grating’s sensitivity. We then implement the optimized long period grating, again using an acoustic grating, and directly measure its sensitivity to refractive index. We demonstrate a sensitivity of 17,900 nm/RIU (6.94 nm/°C) which corresponds to a smallest detectable index change of the fluid of 8.4 × 10⁻⁶.