Femtosecond laser-based 3D printing has strongly improved the field of photonics, enabling the fabrication of complex optical components. In this study, we present the development and characterization of a bulk Bragg grating sensor created using the FEMTOprint system, which integrates a femtosecond laser for high-precision structuring. The latter enables the direct writing of waveguides with Bragg gratings within a transparent substrate. This unique manufacturing process grants control over the waveguide's geometry, grating period, and refractive index modulation, resulting in sensor capable of extraordinary sensitivity. We conducted a characterization of the waveguide with a Bragg grating sensor to assess its performance. Our results demonstrate remarkable sensitivity to environmental parameters, with a temperature sensitivity of 10.51 pm/°C and a mechanical strain sensitivity of 1.22 pm/με. These characteristics make the sensor ideal for a wide range of applications, including temperature monitoring and structural health assessment. The innovative combination of femtosecond laser printing and Bragg grating technology offers a new dimension to the design and application of optical sensors. Our research not only highlights the unique capabilities of these sensors but also opens up exciting prospects for future developments and interdisciplinary collaborations.
Femtosecond laser pulses are more and more spread for the micro/nano-machining of various materials. They were successfully used for the manufacturing of Bragg gratings in optical fibres through the implementation of the so-called point-by-point, line-by-line and plane-by-plane processes. In this work, we report the use of such laser for Bragg grating manufacturing in pure fused silica planar substrates. In particular, we rely on the commercial system called Femtoprint. This machine has efficiently produced Bragg gratings from bulk silica following several steps. First of all, a waveguide was imprinted in the glass substrate by tight control of the laser pulses and path. Then, an access point was created at one edge of the substrate so that a standard optical fibre can be easily connected with the engraved waveguide for light injection and collection. This was again done with femtosecond laser pulses and a subsequent etching with KOH was performed to create the required open spaces in the substrate. Finally, a Bragg grating was imprinted within the waveguide thanks to a third femtosecond laser process. The reflected amplitude spectrum of the grating was characterized using a dedicated interrogator and the obtained experimental results will be presented in this paper.
Femtosecond laser pulses are increasingly utilized for the micro/nano-machining of a wide range of materials. They have been effectively employed in the production of fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) through the implementation of point-by-point, line-by-line, and plane-by-plane processes. This study reports on the use of such lasers for the manufacture of Bragg gratings in pure fused silica planar substrates. In particular, the commercial system known as FEMTOprint was employed. This machine enabled the efficient production of Bragg gratings from bulk silica through several steps. Initially, a waveguide was engraved into the glass substrate through precise control of laser pulses and paths. Subsequently, an access point was created at one edge of the substrate to facilitate the easy connection of a standard optical fiber for light injection and collection. This was accomplished through the use of femtosecond laser pulses, followed by an etching process utilizing KOH to selectively ablate some material and create the necessary open spaces in the substrate. Finally, a third femtosecond laser process was utilized to inscribe a Bragg grating within the waveguide. The reflected amplitude spectrum of the grating was characterized with an FBG interrogator, and the obtained experimental results will be presented in this paper.
Femtosecond laser pulses are more and more spread for the micro/nano-machining of various materials. Bragg gratings are known to be good written within optical fibers using the point-by-point or line-by-line technique. The objective of our work is to produce Bragg grating sensors within planar glass substrates. To this aim, the synthesis of an optical waveguide in a glass substrate is a key parameter. Among the physical techniques that are available one of them is the utilization of a femtosecond laser. In this paper, we report our achievements obtained with the so-called Femtoprint machine, a commercial device created to engineer materials. We show the parameters that were used to produce waveguides in planar substrates. We show the characterization set-up that was implemented and report the first experimental results that were obtained.
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