Switchable Bragg gratings in photochromic-doped graded-index polymer optical fibers

Roel Van Boxel; Thierry Verbiest; Andre Persoons

doi:10.1117/12.520497

Abstract

We present the first results of a new approach for creating graded-index polymer optical fibres (GIPOF) with integrated switchable Bragg gratings. The polymer multi-mode fibre used is made of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) by the interfacial-gel polymerisation technique and has got a parabolic refractive index structure. Former attempts to write Bragg gratings in this type of GIPOF fibres were not successful without squeezing the fibre by which the optical performance is reduced. This problem can be overcome by adding a photochromic dopant in the fibre core. By bleaching the dopant, reflection gratings can be created with the interference pattern of two interfering laser beams with a wavelength around 500 nm, which does not affect the rest of the fibre, but only the photochromic molecule. Before writing, the dopant is initialised with a simple UV-broadband source. Because of the photochromic effect, the grating can be removed and written again in a totally reversible way. It is clear that these systems can have a lot of applications and possibilities. The characteristics of these gratings are measured experimentally in fibres and in thin polymer slices and results and applications are discussed.

Citation Download Citation

Roel Van Boxel, Roel Van Boxel, Thierry Verbiest, Thierry Verbiest, Andre Persoons, Andre Persoons, } "Switchable Bragg gratings in photochromic-doped graded-index polymer optical fibers", Proc. SPIE 5279, Optical Fibers and Passive Components, (30 April 2004); doi: 10.1117/12.520497; https://doi.org/10.1117/12.520497

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

PERSONAL SIGN IN
Full access may be available with your subscription

Email or Username Forgot your username?

Password Forgot your password?

Show

Remember Email/Username on this computer

Remember Password

No SPIE account? Create an account
or Institutional Sign In via Shibboleth

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available

Members: $14.40

Non-members: $18.00 ADD TO CART

Show All Keywords

Keywords/Phrases

Search In:

Publication Years