Lensed plastic optical fiber with an aspherical fiber end formed by joining an aspherical plastic lens and a plastic optical fiber using laser transmission welding

In optical communication systems which require the coupling of the light source to the fiber, efficient coupling can be practically realized either using a separate lens or by direct formation of the lens at the fiber end. A novel lensed plastic optical fiber (LPOF) is presented with efficient coupling of the plastic optical fibers with a light source. An aspherical plastic lens was bound with a flattened plastic fiber end by laser transmission welding (LTW) to form an aspherical fiber endface which can provide better coupling efficiency than a spherical fiberface. An analysis demonstrates that LTW can offer strong welding with small heat affected zones that are appropriate for commercial use. In this study a useful method for manufacturing lensed-end fibers is developed and demonstrated experimentally.     

A lensed fiber workstation based on the elastic polishing plate method

Integrated coupling between laser source (such as laser diodes, LD’s) and single-mode fibers (SMFs) is one of the most important and fundamental techniques of optical communications. Lensed fibers have desirable features for the coupling scheme, such as compactness, simplicity, stability, and freedom from bulky lenses. However, the high precision lens geometry is required for lensed fibers. In this study, we present a lensed fiber fabrication workstation based on the elastic polishing plate mechanism. A theoretical model was also proposed in order to simulate the fiber lapping condition. The results show that the lensed fiber’s dome radius is mainly controlled by the accumulated lapping time, Preston’s coefficient, and selection of rubber pad material. The lapping time control is demonstrated as a preferred working parameter and thus is implemented in our fiber workstation.     

长周期光纤光栅及其在通信传感领域的新应用

长周期光纤光栅是一种新型光纤器件。介绍了长周期光纤光栅的耦合机理、制备方法以及应用。其耦合机理是前向传输的纤芯基模与前向传输的各阶包层模式之间的耦合。制备原理是对光纤横向曝光,使光纤的折射率指数在轴向发生周期性变化。阐明了长周期光纤光栅用于带通滤波、光上下路复用、光纤光源、光纤耦合、偏振器件、新型传感等新技术领域的思路,给出了具体实现方法。并通过与其他方案对比,说明了基于长周期光纤光栅器件的优点,肯定了长周期光纤光栅在通信传感领域的价值。     

锥形塑料光纤过渡器的制作及测试

研究了可作为塑料光纤与石英光纤连接器件的锥形塑料光纤过渡器的制作方法及性能测试.采用重力垂直熔融拉锥法制作锥形塑料光纤过渡器,并研究其在实验室条件下的最佳工艺参数.重复实验发现,当加热电压为6.0 V,加热区中心温度在214 ℃附近,拉伸力为1.40 g左右时,塑料光纤的拉伸过程容易控制,拉伸后的塑料光纤表面具有良好的光学质量.测试显示锥形塑料光纤的透射率随着锥度的增大而减小,表面显微形貌良好,出射模式数明显减少,出射模模场强度集中在低阶模部分,可见光透射谱在400～500 nm的损耗加大.对测试结果的分析表明,采用重力垂直熔融拉锥法可以制备性能优良的锥形塑料光纤过渡器,实验得到的最佳工艺参数可为POF连接器、耦合器的实际生产提供参考.     

Interference of selective higher-order modes in optical fibers

1IntroductionIn recent years,multimode interference(MMI)effectsin integrated optics have attracted enormous research atten-tion and MMI-based devices with various functionalities,in-cluding directional couplers,powersplitters,sensors,modu-lators,bistable lasers,and optical switches,have been dem-onstrated[1-4].The obvious advantages of the MMI-based de-vices are their compact size,large fabrication tolerance,andlow-cost.MMI is becoming a promising technique in opticalcommutations,optical s…     

Near-field scanning optical microscopy using polymethylmethacrylate optical fiber probes

We report the first use of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) optical fiber-made probes for scanning near-field optical microscopy (SNOM). The sharp tips were prepared by chemical etching of the fibers in ethyl acetate, and the probes were prepared by proper gluing of sharpened fibers onto the tuning fork in the conditions of the double resonance (working frequency of a tuning fork coincides with the resonance frequency of dithering of the free-standing part of the fiber) reported earlier for the case of glass fibers. Quality factors of the probes in the range 2000–6000 were obtained, which enables the realization of an excellent topographical resolution including state-of-art imaging of single DNA molecules. Near-field optical performance of the microscope is illustrated by the Photon Scanning Tunneling Microscope images of fluorescent beads with a diameter of 100 nm. The preparation of these plastic fiber probes proved to be easy, needs no hazardous material and/or procedures, and typical lifetime of a probe essentially exceeds that characteristic for the glass fiber probe.     

Phase distortion analysis and passive demodulation for pipeline safety system based on Jones matrix modeling

Phase distortion happens in the distributed optical fiber oil and gas pipeline leak detection and early warning system, which results in decreased sensitivity of the system and bigger location errors. This paper studies the birefringent characteristic of the optical fiber interferometer sensing arm, and the Jones matrix model of the optical polarization is established. On the basis of this model the optical path and location principle are improved by using two 3 × 3 couplers to acquire four light signals. Then, the demodulation method is adopted to get phase differences induced by perturbation of the two reverse optical paths, which are used subsequently in cross-correlation algorithm to achieve the time-delay estimation. Compared to the method of polarization control, this approach simplifies the system structure and reduces the cost. The trial results show that this method not only eliminates the effect of the phase distortion but also improves the system’s accuracy and locating stability.     

锥形光纤在空间光通信耦合系统中的应用

为了提高自由空间光通信的接收端耦合效率,将锥形光纤应用于光耦合,依据BPM算法的仿真结果使用熔融拉锥法制备了满足低损传输条件的锥形光纤。在实验上研究了锥形光纤和双锥形光纤模场传输特性。通过静态空间光-光纤耦合实验,对比了多/单模熔接光纤和锥形光纤光耦合效率和传输效率的差异,并研究了以上两种光纤结构耦合效率的横向偏移量容差。结果表明,锥形光纤的传输效率约为70%,具有低损传输特性、用于匹配后端单模光电子器件的良好滤波特性以及相比普通光纤更高的横向偏移量容差特性,因此可以广泛应用于自由空间光通信接收端光耦合、模式转换器等方面。     

An experimental study on the concrete hydration process using Fabry–Perot fiber optic temperature sensors

This paper describes the contribution of Fabry–Perot (FP) fiber optic temperature sensor to investigate the effects of concrete hydration process. The FP temperature sensor was easily fabricated by controllable chemical etching and adjustable fusion splicing. Detailed optical properties of the sensor were theoretically analyzed and temperature calibration experiments were performed. A sensor with a 90 μm cavity length was demonstrated to have a temperature sensitivity of 0.01 nm/°C and the linearity coefficient of 0.99. Furthermore, the FP sensor was embedded in the concrete structure for sensing the temperature change during the early age of hydration. During the concrete hydration experiments, the measured peak temperatures of the concrete specimens with different water-to-cement (w/c) ratios of 0.4, 0.5 and 0.6 were 51.42 °C, 52.88 °C, and 55.08 °C, respectively, corresponding to final setting times of 13.52 h (w/c = 0.4), 14.16 h (w/c = 0.5) and 15.2 h (w/c = 0.6) after concrete casting. Temperature profiles will be used for concrete hydration heat study, which will help us to have a better understanding of cement hydration behavior.     

Multiplexing optical fiber low coherence and high coherence interferometric system with large range and high resolution for on-line measurement

A novel optical fiber sensing system multiplexing low coherence interferometry and high coherence interferometry that is endowed with large range and high resolution and is stabilized for on-line measurement is presented. An optical fiber Michelson interferometer performing measurement task in the system works in both modes of low coherence interferometry and high coherence interferometry simultaneously by employing a broadband light source and a fiber Bragg grating as an in-fiber reflective mirror. The amplitude of the measurand is determined by the low coherence interferometry while the value of the measurand is measured by the high coherence interferometry. Another optical fiber Michelson interferometer which is incorporated with the one performing measurement task stabilizes the sensing system for on-line measurement by exploiting an electronic feedback loop to reduce the influences that are resulted from environmental disturbances. The measurement range is 6 mm and the measurement uncertainty is less than 2 nm.     

Molecular recognition imaging using tuning fork-based transverse dynamic force microscopy

We demonstrate simultaneous transverse dynamic force microscopy and molecular recognition imaging using tuning forks as piezoelectric sensors. Tapered aluminum-coated glass fibers were chemically functionalized with biotin and anti-lysozyme molecules and attached to one of the prongs of a 32 kHz tuning fork. The lateral oscillation amplitude of the tuning fork was used as feedback signal for topographical imaging of avidin aggregates and lysozyme molecules on mica substrate. The phase difference between the excitation and detection signals of the tuning fork provided molecular recognition between avidin/biotin or lysozyme/anti-lysozyme. Aggregates of avidin and lysozyme molecules appeared as features with heights of 1–4 nm in the topographic images, consistent with single molecule atomic force microscopy imaging. Recognition events between avidin/biotin or lysozyme/anti-lysozyme were detected in the phase image at high signal-to-noise ratio with phase shifts of 1–2°. Because tapered glass fibers and shear-force microscopy based on tuning forks are commonly used for near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM), these results open the door to the exciting possibility of combining optical, topographic and biochemical recognition at the nanometer scale in a single measurement and in liquid conditions.     

Treatment of banana fiber for use in the reinforcement of polymeric matrices

Recent studies on the use of vegetable fibers in polymers have led to the conclusion that the fibers must be treated to improve their adherence to plastic matrices. The present study investigated the effect of physical and chemical treatments on the suitability of fiber from the Canary banana tree for use as reinforcement for polymers in injection molding processes. This fiber has the advantage of being derived from the vegetable waste that is produced by farms involved in banana cultivation in the Canary Islands. Sodium hydroxide and maleic anhydride were used to treat the fiber under different conditions of pressure and temperature, and then the fiber was examined by thermogravimetric analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The best treatment for improving the thermal properties of banana fiber, with no significant decrease in mechanical behavior, for use in a composite was a combination of 1 N NaOH and saturation pressure.     

塑料光纤微透镜耦合平头发光二极管

为了有效耦合平头发光二极管(LED),使用机械方法加工了锥球面塑料光纤(POF)微透镜。平头发光二极管由圆头发光二极管打磨掉聚光帽制得,其出光端面与芯片距离小于0.5mm。锥球面塑料光纤微透镜用数控机床加工制得。采用光线追迹法对耦合模型进行了分析。实验优化了锥球面光纤微透镜的参数、锥角、小球半径、工作距离和单端/双端模式,并理论分析了双端锥球面微透镜耦合的实验结果。当双端锥球面光纤微透镜锥角为140°、小球半径为0.15mm时,可带来20.4%的耦合效率增益。所用加工方法有利于微透镜参数优化,具有较好的加工精度和重现性,可以用于制作塑料光纤微透镜。     

Monitoring of the concrete curing process using plastic optical fibers

In this paper we propose the application of plastic optical fiber to monitor the concrete curing process.The proposed method is based in the scattering of the propagated optical signal in grooves imposed to the fiber. By monitoring the intensity of the transmitted light signal, along time, we can determine the cement setting rate along all the curing period. The obtained results show that the system has enough sensitivity to analyze a curing period of 28 days, where the received optical power is 5% of the initial value.     

Thin bonding wires temperature measurement using optical fiber sensors

In this work we demonstrate the use of optical fiber sensors to measure temperature in thin metallic bonding wires. Temperature was measured in copper wires with diameter of 0.10, 0.28, 0.60 and 0.70 mm and for different values of the driven electrical current (0.75-10.00 A). A theoretical model for the system, which takes into account the relevant heat exchange mechanism, was developed. The results demonstrate the feasibility of the optical sensors application for the measurement of temperature in thin metallic bonding wires.     

用于高速数据传输的微透镜模块设计及评价

针对英特尔光峰技术提出了一种非球面微透镜模块的光学优化设计及评价方法.该非球面微透镜模块可经由GGP多模光纤应用于高速数据的传输,非球面微透镜的直径为800μm,数值孔径为0.275.借助光学设计软件Code V及LightTools进行仿真,评估了微透镜模块制造及组装的公差对系统耦合效率的影响,同时考虑了一些影响光功...     

Optical Fiber Metal Probes Using Semiconductor Laser Diodes and Near-Infrared Compounds

Abstract

The development of a near-infrared optical fiber detector for the determination of metal ions was investigated. The optical fiber detector consists of a semiconductor laser diode, an optical fiber, an NIR dye and a photodiode detector. Two plastic fibers are connected together with poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) with a reaction phase at the distal common end. The reaction phase had a diameter of about <2 mm. Excitation of the dye/analyte complex was induced with a semiconductor laser diode at 780 nm and the emission intensity signal was collected by two instrument systems. No photobleaching effect was observed during the investigations. The response time for 95% of the signal was less than 5 seconds. The use of plastic fibers has allowed easy immobilization of an NIR dye. The dye was entrapped in a polymer matrix that allows the diffusion of the analyte. Low background signal of the photodiode permitted the detection of dye in the picomolar level. Comparison of the optical fiber results between a PMT and a photodiode was made. The use of smaller components shown here will allow the manufacturing of portable optical fiber detectors for applications in industry, medicine and the environment.     

保偏光纤转轴熔接Sagnac干涉环的光学游标效应及温度传感器

为了实现高灵敏度的温度传感,通过在基于保偏光纤Sagnac干涉仪的Sagnac环内增加一段保偏光纤,控制两段保偏光纤快轴熔接角度接近45°,设计并制造了保偏光纤转轴熔接Sagnac干涉环结构。在理论上通过Jones矩阵推导了保偏光纤转轴熔接Sagnac干涉环的干涉谱公式,基于仿真分析研究了主要参数对保偏光纤转轴熔接Sagnac干涉环输出特性的影响。仿真结果表明,保偏光纤转轴熔接Sagnac干涉环实现了光学游标效应,两段保偏光纤的平均长度、两段保偏光纤的长度差分别影响保偏光纤转轴熔接Sagnac干涉环输出干涉谱的波长间隔和包络周期;在实验中,将保偏光纤转轴熔接Sagnac干涉环应用在光纤温度传感器中。实验结果表明,在2cm的感温区域,保偏光纤转轴熔接Sagnac干涉环温度传感器的灵敏度就达到了-2.44nm/℃,是普通Sagnac干涉环温度传感器(-0.163nm/℃)的14.97倍。     

连续Nd:YAG激光光纤耦合效率的实验

对0.6mm芯径3m长光纤输出100W连续Nd:YAG激光的光纤耦合效率进行了实验分析。围绕光纤耦合效率相关的量:激光模式、发散角、数值孔径、焦斑直径、精密光纤耦合器等问题进行了讨论;并给出实验结果:3m长光纤输出0～100W激光耦合效率典型值≥87%,最佳值为90%.     

Manufacturing process of copper microgrooves utilizing a novel optical fiber-based laser-induced etching technique

A new approach for the fabrication of copper microgrooves with near triangular cross-sectional profile is introduced. For manufacturing the microgrooves, a laser-induced thermochemical etching technique based on an optical fiber as an optical waveguide and machining tool is proposed, which significantly reduced the complexity of a conventional laser etching set up. It is explained that the possible problem of fiber damage during laser etching with the proposed method can be solved by appropriately controlling the gap between the sample surface and fiber tip. The fabrication of copper microgrooves with 100 ∼ 300 μm in depth and 100 ∼ 150 μm in width is accomplished with the proposed technique. The grooves fabricated in the optimal process condition have smooth surfaces and clear edge. The angle of triangular groove is measured to be in the range of 30 ∼ 50 degree and the aspect ratio of grooves is about 1 ∼ 2. The overall etching results such as etch width, depth, and aspect ratio variation are reported in detail with respect to process variables.