Impact of water and ice 1h formation in a photonic crystal fiber grating

The impact of ice 1h formation inside the holes of a photonic crystal fiber Bragg grating was analyzed and discussed. As a result of the ice's expansion, a broadening of the grating spectrum was observed that corresponds to internal microbending of the fiber and after some temperature cycling leads to failure of the fiber. An analytical model with which to estimate the internal compression forces is proposed, and the calculated values are found to be in agreement with reported data.     

Femtosecond laser direct processing in wet and dry silica glass

The infrared femtosecond laser damage threshold is found to be independent of OH content in pure silica glass. Additionally, the density and the mean trapping time of electrons excited in the conduction band are also found to be independent on OH concentration.     

Reducing and eliminating induced losses during UV-laser processing of photo-hypersensitised optical fibres

Photo-hypersensitisation of optical waveguides allows significant reduction of UV-induced attenuation during subsequent photolytic writing of gratings and other components. Within phosphosilicate fibres these losses can be eliminated across the entire near UV to near IR spectrum opening up the possibility of UV-written waveguide components at any wavelength.     

Solar hypersensitization of optical fibers

Hydrogen-loaded fibers were exposed to solar radiation for 20 days, in which time the hydrogen was allowed to out-diffuse. Gratings written in these fibers show an increased photosensitivity compared with pristine fibers. Results show the solar radiation has a similar effect on both stripped and unstripped fibers. This work agrees with the fundamental process of using low fluence, long UV sources to photosensitize hydrogen-loaded, germanium-doped fibers.     

Porphyrin-doped solgel-lined structured optical fibers for local and remote sensing

We constructed a type of sensor by depositing a solgel layer within the interior holes of a silica-structured fiber and, subsequently, coating this with an acid-responsive porphyrin. Protonation of the porphyrin by an acidic gas (HCl in this case), is detected by a large change in the visible spectrum. Compared to previous work on a liquid-core sensor in a structured optical fiber, the signal-to-noise ratio of this gas sensor shows a reduced signal strength, but the detection rate is increased about fortyfold.     

Regenerated gratings in air-hole microstructured fibers for high-temperature pressure sensing

We present thermally regenerated fiber Bragg gratings in air-hole microstructured fibers for high-temperature, hydrostatic pressure measurements. High-temperature stable gratings were regenerated during an 800 °C annealing process from hydrogen-loaded Type I seed gratings. The wavelength shifts and separation of grating peaks were studied as functions of external hydrostatic pressure from 15 to 2400 psi, and temperature from 24 °C to 800 °C. This Letter demonstrates a multiplexible pressure and temperature sensor technology for high-temperature environments using a single optical fiber feedthrough.     

Inhibition of Cu-amyloid-β by using bifunctional peptides with β-sheet breaker and chelator moieties

Breaking the mold: Inhibition of toxic amyloid-β (Aβ) aggregates and disruption of Cu-Aβ with subsequent redox-silencing of Cu have been considered promising strategies against Alzheimer's disease. The design and proof of concept of simple peptides containing a Cu-chelating/redox-silencing unit and an Aβ-aggregation inhibition unit (β-sheet breaker) is described (see scheme).     

Low-temperature hypersensitization of phosphosilicate waveguides in hydrogen

Conventional hydrogen loading of phosphosilicate optical fibers at relatively low temperatures (80 degrees C) is sufficient to enhance the fiber's photosensitivity after hydrogen outdiffusion, allowing permanent Bragg grating structures to be produced. Thermal sensitization is proposed to be a major contributor to stable index change.     

Hydrogen loading of optical waveguides by use of host diluent gases

Recent dramatic improvements in photosensitivity gas mixtures when very low hydrogen concentrations (as low as 0.1%) were used are shown to involve condensation of the host gas. The vapor pressure of the host determines the effective partial pressure of the hydrogen, and this accounts for the bulk of the observed enhancements.     

Grating-based transmission bandpass filters using dispersion-matched mode conversion

A narrow-bandpass filter with a 15-dB signal-to-noise level is demonstrated using Bragg-grating assisted mode conversion within a tapered waveguide. The potential effects of such filters in wavelength-division multiplexing systems are discussed.