An investigation into the wavelength stability of polymer optical fibre Bragg gratings

W. Zhang; A. Abang; D. J. Webb; G.-D. Peng

doi:10.1117/12.922306

25 April 2012 An investigation into the wavelength stability of polymer optical fibre Bragg gratings

W. Zhang, A. Abang, D. J. Webb, G.-D. Peng

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 8426, Microstructured and Specialty Optical Fibres; 842619 (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.922306
Event: SPIE Photonics Europe, 2012, Brussels, Belgium

Abstract

The inscription of Bragg gratings has been demonstrated in PMMA-based polymer optical fibre. The water affinity of PMMA can introduce significant wavelength change in a polymer optical fibre Bragg grating (POFBG). In polymer optical fibre losses are much higher than with silica fibre. Very strong absorption bands related to higher harmonics of vibrations of the C-H bond dominate throughout the visible and near infrared. Molecular vibration in substances generates heat, which is referred to as the thermal effect of molecular vibration. This means that a large part of the absorption of optical energy in those spectral bands will convert into thermal energy, which eventually drives water content out of the polymer fibre and reduces the wavelength of POFBG. In this work we have investigated the wavelength stability of POFBGs in different circumstances. The experiment has shown that the characteristic wavelength of a POFBG starts decreasing after a light source is applied to it. This decrease continues until equilibrium inside the fibre is established, depending on the initial water content inside the fibre, the surrounding humidity, the optical power applied, and the fibre size. Our investigation has shown that POFBGs operating at around 850 nm show much smaller wavelength reduction than those operating at around 1550 nm in the same fibre; POFBGs with different diameters show different changes; POFBGs powered by a low level light source, or operating in a very dry environment are least affected by this thermal effect.

Citation Download Citation

W. Zhang, A. Abang, D. J. Webb, and G.-D. Peng "An investigation into the wavelength stability of polymer optical fibre Bragg gratings", Proc. SPIE 8426, Microstructured and Specialty Optical Fibres, 842619 (25 April 2012); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.922306

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

;

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