Photonics Research, 2016, 4 (2): 02000045, Published Online: Sep. 28, 2016
Long-period grating inscription on polymer functionalized optical microfibers and its applications in optical sensing Download: 858次
Fiber optics Fiber optics Fiber optics sensors Fiber optics sensors Polymers Polymers Microstructure fabrication Microstructure fabrication Gratings Gratings
Abstract
We demonstrated long-period grating (LPG) inscription on polymer functionalized optical microfibers and its applications in optical sensing. Optical microfibers were functionalized with ultraviolet-sensitive polymethyl methacrylate jackets and, thus, LPGs could be inscribed on optical microfibers via point-by-point ultraviolet laser exposure. For a 2 mm long microfiber LPG (MLPG) inscribed on optical microfibers with a diameter of 5.4 μm, a resonant dip of 15 dB at 1377 nm was observed. This MLPG showed a high sensitivity of strain and axial force, i.e., ?1.93 pm∕με and ?1.15 pm∕μN, respectively. Although the intrinsic temperature sensitivity of the LPGs is relatively low, i.e., ?12.75 pm∕°C, it can be increased to be ?385.11 pm∕°C by appropriate sealing. Benefiting from the small footprint and high sensitivity, MLPGs could have potential applications in optical sensing of strain, axial force, and temperature.
Z. Y. Xu, Y. H. Li, L. J. Wang. Long-period grating inscription on polymer functionalized optical microfibers and its applications in optical sensing[J]. Photonics Research, 2016, 4(2): 02000045.