A Novel Fabrication Technique of Long Period Fiber Gratings Using a Holographic Optical Element

We develop a new flexible and precise ultraviolet exposure technique to fabricate a long period fiber grating using a computer-generated holographic optical element (HOE). The HOE can generate a striped beam pattern with about a 300 #x03BC;m period from a KrF excimer laser. This method offers (1) ease in varying the grating period and (2) grating period precision. We achieve a grating period within an accuracy of #x00B1;0.04 #x03BC;m. This means that the peak wavelength can be controlled within an accuracy of #x00B1;0.2nm with an operating wavelength of 1.55 #x03BC;m.This paper was originally presented at the 2nd International Conference on Optical Design and Fabrication, ODF2000 which was held on November 15-17, 2000 at the International Conference Center, Tokyo, Waseda University, Japan.