L-band CYTOP Bragg gratings for ultrasound sensing

Christian Broadway; Kyriacos Kalli; Andreas Theodosiou; Michal Zubel; Kate Sugden; Patrice Megret; Christophe Caucheteur

doi:10.1117/12.2307129

Translator Disclaimer

9 May 2018 L-band CYTOP Bragg gratings for ultrasound sensing

Christian Broadway, Kyriacos Kalli, Andreas Theodosiou, Michal Zubel, Kate Sugden, Patrice Megret, Christophe Caucheteur

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 10681, Micro-Structured and Specialty Optical Fibres V; 1068109 (2018) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2307129
Event: SPIE Photonics Europe, 2018, Strasbourg, France

Abstract

Polymer optical fibre (POF) has been receiving increasing attention for sensing applications. The fundamental properties of POF such as PMMA deliver at least an order of magnitude in improvements over silica fibres, though practical difficulties create additional complexity. POF has the potential to deliver lower acoustic impedance, a reduced Young’s Modulus and a higher acoustic sensitivity within the megahertz region. In contrast, existing piezo-electric transducers have an inherent narrow acoustic bandwidth and a proportionality to size that causes difficulties for applications such as endoscopy within the biomedical domain. POF generally suffers high attenuation per kilometre at telecommunications wavelengths, limiting fibre lengths to mere centimetres. However, CYTOP, a graded index perfluorinated polymer, is a commercially certified product allowing the use of telecoms region technology and tens of meters of fibre without exceeding acceptable losses. With an effective refractive index between 1.32 and 1.33, it is fundamentally better placed for applications using water or a similar media for acoustic coupling. We demonstrate ultrasonic detection at 5,10 and 15 MHz using a TFBG within a CYTOP fibre in the telecoms region and the latest knowledge in POF handling and connectorisation. This first step in the use of CYTOP demonstrates the viability of the sensor and paves the way towards further advances towards its eventual application.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Christian Broadway, Kyriacos Kalli, Andreas Theodosiou, Michal Zubel, Kate Sugden, Patrice Megret, and Christophe Caucheteur "L-band CYTOP Bragg gratings for ultrasound sensing", Proc. SPIE 10681, Micro-Structured and Specialty Optical Fibres V, 1068109 (9 May 2018); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2307129

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE