A development of microlenses achromatically corrected for near infrared range is reported. Internal nanostructurization of microlens allows to obtain an effective parabolic gradient index profile. A standard stack-and-draw method was used to fabricate the microlens. They have a nearly wavelength-independent working distance of 35 μm over the wavelength range of 600-1550 nm. The proposed achromatic microlens can be applied in micro imaging systems and for wavelength independent coupling into optical fibers.
Nanostructured GRIN components are optical elements which can have arbitrary refractive index profile while retaining flat-parallel entry and exit facets. They are composed of more than 9000 individually placed glass subwavelength rods made of two types of glass with different refractive indices. They are developed using a standard stack-and-draw method used for fibre drawing. The refractive index profile of the nanostructured GRIN element can be described by the effective refractive index theory when the diameter of the individual rods are sufficiently smaller than the wavelength. In this paper we show that use of glasses designed for high diffusion and high temperatures during drawing process allows to develop parabolic nanostructured GRIN microlenses with rod diameter larger than wavelength. In particular, we have developed a GRIN microlens with diameter of 115 μm composed of 115 rods on diagonal. Our GRIN microlens has a length of 200 μm and a working distance equal to 1.05 mm, with focal spot of 8.5 μm measured for the 658 nm wavelength. We experimentally verified its imaging properties. Image resolution higher than 3.25 μm was measured.
We report a development of microscopic size gradient index vortex masks using modified stack-and-draw technique. Vortex mask has a form of tens of microns thick, flat-surface all-glass plate. Its functionality is determined by internal nanostructure composed of two types of soft glass nanorods. Their spatial arrangement ensures that the average refractive index mimics continuous refractive index distribution imposing azimuthal phase modulation of optical beam. The mask of thickness of 40 microns is used to demonstrate generation of optical vortices with charges 1 and 2, in the femtosecond and cw regimes, respectively.
The phenomenon of laser light scattering provides the technology for visualization and testing the inner structure and homogeneity of materials. Some of them excited by the laser light in the tomographic process can emit light the wavelength of which is different than that of excitation laser. Such photoluminescence can be a source of additional information of the material’s structure. Combining the Laser Scattering Tomography (LST) and Spectrometry techniques has enabled us to develop a new type of an LST technique. The system is useful for investigations of various materials like semiconductors (Si, GaAs) ceramics, crystals for passive absorbers for high power pulse lasers, and laser crystals.
On the basis of thermally bonded Er,Yb:glass/Co:MALO microchip a laser head pumped by fiber coupled laser diode was designed. The performance of the laser head were investigated and the main output parameters were determined. The energy over 40 μJ in 3.8 ns pulse with repetition rate of 0.735 kHz was achieved. The laser head characterized by such parameters can successfully be used in tele-detection applications.
Most of the research work related to photonic crystal fibres has to date been focused on silica based fibres. Only in the recent years has there been a fraction of research devoted to fibres based on soft glasses, since some of them offer interesting properties as significantly higher nonlinearity than silica glass and wide transparency in the infrared range. On the other hand, attenuation in those glasses is usually one or more orders of magnitude higher that in silica glass, which limits their application area due to limited length of the fibres, which can be practically used. We report on the development of single-mode photonic crystal fibres made of highly nonlinear lead-bismuth-gallate glass with a zero dispersion wavelength at 1460 nm and flat anomalous dispersion. A two-octave spanning supercontinuum in the range 700–3000 nm was generated in 2 cm of the fibre. In contrast to the silica glass, various oxide based soft glasses with large refractive index difference can jointly undergo multiple thermal processing steps without degradation. The use of two soft glasses gives additional degrees of freedom in the design of photonic crystal fibres. As a result, highly nonlinear fibres with unique dispersion characteristics can be obtained. Soft glass allow also development of fibres with complex subwavelength refractive index distribution inside core of the fibre. A highly birefringent fibre with anisotropic core composed of subwavelength glass layers ordered in a rectangular structure was developed and is demonstrated
Supercontinuum (SC) generation contained in the normal dispersion range of an optical fiber has been shown to be limited primarily by the available peak power and length of the pump pulse. In this work, we numerically investigate the SC spectral width and flatness for various pump pulse conditions in a nonlinear, all-solid, soft-glass, photonic crystal fiber (PCF) with a flattened dispersion profile. We assume a range of pump pulse parameters with pulse lengths between 250 and 100 fs (60 to 150 kW of peak power), and input pulse energies between 10 and 30 nJ, numerically reaching a maximum SC width of 800 to 2600 nm. The presented theoretical study provides a guideline for the selection of a fiber laser pump source, or in other words, it enables one to expect the extent of spectral broadening in the developed, all-normal dispersion PCF, when presently available fiber laser pump pulse parameters are assumed.
Tellurite glass photonic crystal fibers (PCF) offer a large potential for broadband supercontinuum generation with bandwidths of 4000 nm demonstrated in suspended-core tellurite PCFs under pumping at 1500-1600 nm. We fabricated a hexagonal-lattice, tellurite PCF with lattice constant Λ = 2 μm, linear filling factor d/Λ=0.75 μm, and a solid core with 2.7 μm diameter. Dispersion, calculated from SEM image of drawn fiber, has ZDW at 1500 nm and 4350 nm with a maximum of 193 ps/nm/km at 2900 nm. Under pumping with 150 fs / 36 nJ / 1580 nm pulses, supercontinuum in a bandwidth from 800 nm to over 2500 nm was measured in a 2 cm long PCF sample. Measured coupling efficiency was 8%. Dispersive and nonlinear length scales are 52 cm and 0.2 mm respectively, yielding nonlinearity-dominant propagation regime in the fiber. Numerical analysis of measured supercontinuum spectrum using NLSE, enabled identification of soliton fission and their subsequent red-shifting, dispersive wave generation across first ZDW, as well as FWM among the red-shifted spectral components. FWM phase-matching condition in the fiber is satisfied in a broad range from 1500 nm to 4000 nm with roughly 900 nm bandwidth around the signal wavelength. Developed model is in good agreement with experimental results. Model is used to estimate supercontinuum bandwidth for other experimental conditions with pump pulse lengths up to 1 ps and PCF lengths up to 10 cm.
Supercontinuum generation (SG) in photonic crystal fibers (PCFs) usually takes advantage of soliton dynamics, when pump wavelength is located in the anomalous dispersion region near the zero-dispersion wavelength of the fiber. This results in broader bandwidth than pumping in the normal dispersion region (NDR). SG in NDR is of interest, because of its potential for high degree of coherence and low intensity fluctuations. It was experimentally demonstrated in silica fibers and PCFs pumped around 1000 nm, covering the visible and near-infrared. We developed an all-solid PCF with hexagonal lattice made from N-F2 capillaries, with lattice constant Λ=2.275 μm, filling factor d/Λ=0.9, and a solid N-F2 core with 2,5μm diameter. The capillaries were filled with thermally matched borosilicate glass rods with lower refractive index. The PCF has all-normal dispersion, flattened within 1400- 2750 nm (-35 to -29 ps/nm/km) and a local maximum of -29 ps/nm/km at 1550 nm. Measured attenuation in 1500-1600 nm is around 3.2 dB/m. Nonlinear coefficient calculated at 1550 nm is 17/W/m. We numerically investigate the evolution of supercontinuum formation with a maximum bandwidth of 900-2400 nm. Considered pump pulse lengths were between 1 ps and 50 fs, with corresponding peak powers from 20 kW to 200 kW. Measured coupling efficiency using 20× microscope objective was 50%. One-photon-per-mode noise was used to simulate pump noise and multi-shot SG spectra were calculated. Preliminary experimental results are in good agreement with developed model.
In this work we present our results on supercontinuum (SC) generation using a photonic crystal fiber (PCF) fabricated from lead-bismuth-gallium-oxide glass (PBG-08). Due to high refractive index, high nonlinearity and high transmittance, the PBG-08 glass-based fibers seem to be excellent media for broad supercontinuum generation in the infrared spectral region. In our experiment, a short-length piece of PCF (6 cm) is pumped by a femtosecond fiber laser system, delivering 540 fs pulses at 60 MHz repetition rate and 2.75 W of maximum average power. This compact and cost-effective system allows to generate supercontinuum spanning from 900 to 2400 nm.
Supercontinuum generation spanning an octave from 900 nm to 2400 nm was obtained in all-solid glass, photonic crystal
fiber, designed with flattened, all-normal dispersion and optimized for pumping in the 1500-1560 nm range. The report
includes designing of microstructure of all-solid glass photonic crystal fiber and relation of dispersion profile to fiber
filling factor d/Λ, numerical and experimental characteristic of fabricated fiber dispersion profile, supercontinuum
generation experiment under 1530 nm pumping with 70 fs pulses, concluded with numerical analysis based on solution
to nonlinear Schrödinger equation. Interplay among self-phase modulation, optical wave breaking and four-wave mixing
is discussed in context of observed pump pulse broadening.
In this paper, we demonstrate the feasibility of using the nanostructured micro-optics technology to create a large
diameter quantized elliptical microlens. Nanostructured gradient index elements have discrete internal structure with
feature sizes much smaller than the wavelength of the incident light. The nanostructured lens is composed of two silicate
glasses with various refractive indexes. Large diameter elliptical microlens is developed. Optical performance of
microlens is verified numerically. Effective focal lengths of 220 and 116 for are predicted for wavelength of 1300 nm.
Ytterbium doped phosphate glass (5 mol% of Yb2O3, thickness 1 and 2 mm, uncoated), developed for fibre laser, was tested in bulk form as a laser active medium. For Yb:glass pumping a fibre coupled (fibre core diameter 100 μm, NA = 0.22) laser diode with emission at wavelength 975nm was used. The laser diode was operating in pulsed regime (pulse length 1.5 ms, repetition rate 5 Hz, maximum pulse energy 22 mJ) with low duty cycle to reduce a heat accumulation inside the active medium (Yb:glass was only air-cooled). Longitudinally pumped Yb:glass samples were placed inside the 145mm long semi-hemispherical resonator formed by a flat pumping mirror (HR @ 1.0 − 1.1 μm, HT @ 0.97 μm) and by curved output coupler (r = 150 mm). Set of output couplers with reflectivity 91 – 97% @ 1.0 − 1.1 μm was used. Tuning of the Yb:glass laser was accomplished by using a birefringent filter (single 1.5mm thick quartz plate) placed inside the optical resonator at the Brewster angle between the output coupler (reflectivity 97%) and laser active medium. In untuned regime the energy up to 2.4mJ was obtained at wavelength 1050 nm. Slope efficiency up to 17% in respect to absorbed pumping was reached with the 2mm sample. In tuned regime the smooth laser tuning curve, limited by used Lyot filter, extended from 1005nm up to 1080nm (FWHM 48 nm). The maximum output energy of 1.65mJ was obtained at 1060nm for the absorbed energy 16 mJ.
The main goal of this work was to examine the possibility of fabrication of glassy diffractive optical elements for application in the near-infrared and mid-infrared spectral ranges. In the paper we focused on fabrication of Fresnel lenses with use of the hot embossing process. Lead-bismuth-gallium oxide and tellurite glasses were used in the experiment. Both types of glasses possess high transmittance from the visible up to mid-infrared (0.4÷6.5μm). Fused silica element was used as the mold, which was fabricated with standard ion etching method. The elements presented in this work were fabricated in a static process with the use of low pressure. The quality of the fabricated elements was examined with white light interferometer.
To achieve high non-linearity in photonic crystal fibers a high nonlinear coefficient of the glass is required accompanied by high coupling efficiency and flat dispersion profile of the fiber with the specific zero dispersion wavelength. In this paper, we present a deterministic method that allow step-by-step design of photonic crystal fibers with desired zero dispersion wavelength, modality and coupling efficiency due to sequential engineering of geometrical parameters of microstructured fibers with nanostructured cores. The fiber consists of inclusions of low refractive index material, embedded in a host glass of higher refractive index, where a single central micro-rod is omitted. In its place an additional nano-inclusion is located of a given diameter. The choice of the glass determines the nonlinear coefficient of the fiber and fabrication possibilities as well. Zero dispersion wavelength is varied by the change of the lattice constant of the cladding. High filling factor in the cladding leads to a large number of propagating high order modes, which can be selectively cut off, when the filling factor of the outer part of the cladding is reduced. The diameter of the nano-inclusion in the core is responsible for the fundamental mode area, which influences directly the coupling efficiency. Several designed structures were modeled numerically and developed to confirm the design method.
In this paper we report a two octave spanning supercontinuum generation in the range 750-3000 nm with a newly
developed photonic crystal fiber. The fibre is fabricated using an in-house synthesized lead-bismuth-galate glass PBG08
with optimised rheological and transmission properties in the range 500-4800 nm. The photonic cladding consists of 8
rings of air holes with a fibre core diameter of 3 μm and a lattice constant of 2.2 μm. The dispersion characteristic is
determined mainly by the material dispersion and the first ring of holes in the cladding with a filling factor of 0.68. The
filling factor of the remaining 7 rings is 0.45 which allows single mode performance of the fibre in the infrared range.
The fibre has a zero dispersion wavelength of 1490 nm which allows the use of 1550 nm wavelength as an efficient
pump in the anomalous dispersion regime. The 2 cm long sample of photonic crystal fiber is pumped in the femtosecond
regime with a pulse energy of 10 nJ at a wavelength of 1550 nm. A flatness of 5 dB is observed in the spectral range 950-2500 nm.
We present the design and fabrication details of a customised nanostuctured form birefringent material based upon a
second order effective medium theory composite composed of two mechanically and thermally matched soft
glasses. The design, which shows uniform birefringence over several hundred nanometres, is fabricated using a
modified stack-and-draw method to produce a final element with feature sizes in the 50-100nm range. A method for
measuring the effective birefringence of the composite material is presented along with the preliminary results from
the fabricated component.
We present a novel approach to the fabrication of diffractive optical elements. Unlike traditional diffractive optical
elements, the different phase shifts are obtained through a refractive index variation by using different types of glass.
This approach results in a completely flat element which is easy to integrate with other optical components. For
fabrication of the test DOE structures we have used the stack-and-draw technique. This method, which was originally
developed for the fabrication of photonic crystal fibres, has been modified to allow the fabrication of nanostructured
micro-optical components. In this paper we present the results from proof of concept periodic checkerboards fabricated
on a square and hexagonal lattice with feature sizes of 8μm and 46μm. The components were fabricated from two types
of rods made of the low refractive index silicate glass and the high refractive index of lead-silicate glass. The measured
characteristics of the fabricated components are presented The influence of fabrication-induced structure distortions on
the optical performance of the components is discussed.
In this paper we report on the development of diffractive and refractive micro optical components devoted to MidIR
applications. As a material we use a customized heavy metal oxide glasses with high transmission in the range
0.6÷6.0μm. Optimization of the glass composition in four- and five-component oxide systems for a broadband
transmission window is difficult due to their excessive crystallization susceptibility. Several metals and alloys were
tested for their suitability as a stamping medium. Optimal performance was obtained for selected brass and steel stamps,
as well as for pure silica stamps. As a technology testboard we have developed 1D and 2D diffractive gratings with a
minimum feature size of 5μm as well as Fresnel microlenses with a diameter of 200μm. The quality of the embossed
elements was verified by comparison of the master and replicated elements using a non-contact white light
interferometer.
In this paper we report on the fabrication, optical properties and imaging capabilities of nanostructured gradient index
microlenses with diffraction limited performance and good chromatic behaviour. We introduce a new fabrication concept
for the development of large diameter nanostructured gradient index microlenses based on quantised gradient index
profiles and the use of nanostructured meta-rods. We show the dependence of the quality of performance on the number
of refractive index levels and the overall lens diameter. The practical limit of the proposed method for fabricating
nanostructured GRIN microlenses is determined to be 120μm for 7 discrete levels of nanostructured meta-rod refractive
index. The fabricated microlenses show good achromatic behaviour - the observed working distances for illumination at
wavelengths of 633 nm and 850 nm are 43μm and 40μm, respectively, while the focal spot sizes remain the same for
both wavelengths
We present the development of a large core multimode photonic crystal fibre with hyperspectral transmission that covers
the visible, near and (in part) mid infra-red wavelength ranges (400-6500 nm). We have optimised the composition of a
heavy metal-oxide glass based on the PbO-Bi2O3-Ga2O3 system modified with Nb2O5, Ta2O5, SiO2, GeO2, BaO, CdO, Na2O
and K2O. The optimised glass shows good transmission up to 6 μm as well as good rheological properties that permits
multiple thermal processing steps in an optical drawing tower without crystallisation. The selected glass is synthesized inhouse
and has been used for fibre development. We have fabricated a multi-mode photonic crystal fibre with an effective
mode area of 295 μm2. The photonic cladding is composed of 8 rings of air holes with a fill factor of 0.46. The transmission of a hyperspectral spectrum is experimentally verified using a broadband source. The attenuation of the fibre and its
sensitivity to bending losses is presented.
The development of all-solid photonic crystal fibers for nonlinear optics is an alternative approach to the air-glass solid
core photonic crystal fibers. The use of soft glasses ensures a high refractive index contrast (>0.1) and a high nonlinear
coefficient of the fibers. In addition, the manipulation of the subwavelength structure of the core of a photonic crystal
fiber allows significant modification of its dispersion characteristics and efficient generation of supercontinuum with
various femtosecond and nanosecond sources. The development of all-solid photonic crystal fiber allows very accurate
control of all the parameters of the developed fiber in very good agreement with the design criteria.
In this paper, we report on the dispersion management capabilities in all-solid photonic crystal fibers with nanostructured
cores using thermally matched glasses, which can be jointly processed using the stack-and-draw fiber fabrication
technology. We consider a photonic crystal fiber made of the high index lead-silicate glass SF6 and the in-house
synthesized low index silicate glass NC21. The NC21 glass plays the role of low index inclusion in the photonic cladding
and a nano-inclusion in the core of the fiber. The final dispersion profile of the photonic crystal fiber is determined by
the low index nano-inclusion in the core with diameter in the range 100-500nm. The dispersion profiles are modeled for
a theoretical structure and for the developed fiber. Supercontinuum generation is expected and numerically confirmed for
the developed fiber in the range 1150-1500nm with flatness below 1dB. The fiber is dedicated for supercontinuum
generation with 1550nm laser sources.
In this paper we report the in-house synthesis of optical grade PMMA suitable for fiber development and fabrication of a
large core micro-structured polymer optical fiber (mPOF). We have designed an mPOF with a core area of 580 μm2 and
single mode performance at a wavelength of 650 nm. The photonic cladding is composed of 3 rings of air holes with a
filling factor of 0.58 ensuring in practice a single mode performance at the design wavelength of 650 nm. The designed
mPOF fiber was fabricated using the stack and draw technique, however some deformation of the structure of the
photonic cladding has been observed during final stage of fiber drawing. The influence of this development imperfection
on the overall fiber performance has been modeled. Finally the optical properties of the fabricated fiber were measured
and a comparison between these and the modeled properties was made.
In this work we present the results of our recent studies on up-conversion phenomena in erbium doped TZN glasses. The
set of five samples, of concentrations ranging from 1000 to 37500 ppm, has been carefully investigated by means of
highly resolved laser spectroscopy, with specific attention concentrated on possible up-conversion processes resulting in
red, green and violet emission under semiconductor lasers pumping. The excitation-dependant luminescence spectra
together with fluorescence dynamics profiles enabled analysis of processes responsible for observed behaviour of up-converted
emission.
In this paper we report on design, manufacturing and characterization of microstructured optical fibers made of highly
non-linear tellurite glasses and devoted to supercontinuum generation. The tellurite glass labeled TWPN/I/6 is
synthesized in oxide system of 65TeO2-28WO3-5Na2O-2Nb2O5 [mol%]. The full characteristics of optical, thermal and
mechanical properties of this glass has been performed. Due to a very high resistance for devitrification during multiple
thermal processing the glass has been successfully used for PCF manufacturing by the stack-and-draw technique. The
manufactured fibers are characterized by the zero dispersion wavelength (ZDW) ranged from 1630 up to 2100nm.
Spectrum broadening in the range of 830-1100nm is observed for pump with 100 fs pulses at wavelength 919nm and
average power of 615mW.
In this paper we propose to structure a core of the photonic crystal fiber to tailor its dispersion properties. In this case the core is
composed of subwavelength rods of two types of glasses or air capillaries. We consider in the simulations two thermally matched
glasses SF6 and NC21 with a high contrast of refractive indexes over 0.1. We study an influence of core structure in terms of the
material and the nano-sized rod diameter on fiber dispersion. We show that a properly nanostructured core can significantly shift
ZDW of the fiber. Supercontinuum generation with developed PCFs is presented.
In this paper results of soft glass single mode photonic crystal fibers (PCF) fabrication are presented. Using "stack and
draw" technique a few kinds of PCFs (various core sizes and filling factors) made of multicomponent glasses has been
successfully fabricated. Two glasses, developed in-house at the Institute of Electronic Materials Technology (ITME),
have been used. High refractive index (nD=1.94) lead-bismuth-gallate glass (PGB-08) and borosilicate glass (NC21A).
We have achieved attenuation 3.9 - 5.1dB/m (λ=806nm) for fibers made of NC21A glass and 15dB/m (λ=632.8nm) for
PBG08 glass. Glasses attenuation: NC21A - 3.2dB/m, PBG-08 - 14.5dB/m. Fibers have very regular photonic cladding
with filling factor in range 0.2 - 0.7.
In this work we designed and made a photonic crystal structure with a photonic band gap around 532 nm wavelength.
The structure was to be made from two commercially available glasses. Both should have similar temperature
coefficients (alpha), also melting and softening temperatures should be as close as possible in order to thermally process
both glasses together. In addition the refractive indexes of chosen glasses should be as different as possible in order to
facilitate a wide band gap. The pair of glasses that met those requirements is LLF1 and SF6 produced by Schott. For
those two glasses we performed a series of computer simulations using MIT MPB software. After checking various
structures the widest band gap for the 532 nm wavelength was found for the hexagonal structure of high dielectric
constant rods in low index material with a linear fill factor of 0.12 and a lattice constant 3.75 μm. This structure was
manufactured using the stack and draw method. The measurements of the final structure made by ESM show that it is
regular, with diffusion between glasses at the manageable level. This assures that manufacture process is repeatable.
In this paper we report on design and development of three types of the soft oxide glasses devoted to microstructured
optical fibers manufacturing. The lead-bismuth glasses are synthesized in three-component oxide system of PbO-Bi2O3-
Ga2O3 and in a complex five-component oxide system of SiO2-Ga2O3-Bi2O3-PbO-CdO. The tellurite glasses are
synthesized in oxide system of TeO2-WO3-PbO-Na2O-Nb2O5 with various concentration of WO3 (5-38%mol) and PbO
(0-18%mol). Measurements of glass transmittance are performed over the range 200nm-10μm. Linear thermal expansion
coefficients and characteristic temperatures of glasses are determined based on dilatometer and Leitz heat microscope
measurements. A use of Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) method and crystallization tests (isothermal treatment)
allows estimating the thermal stability of the glasses and susceptibility to crystallization. As a reference, similar
measurements are performed for commercially available lead-silicate glasses SF57 and SF6, which are considered for
development of nonlinear microstructured fibres. The glasses with an optimum resistance for devitrification during
multiple thermal processing are selected among all developed glasses for further fibre development. We present a
method for development of preform and subpreform elements as tubes, capillaries and rods used in the stack-and-draw
technique of the fiber manufacture. We report also successful development of subpreform components of
microstructured fibers based on selected tellurite and lead-bismuth glasses.
Chalcogenide or heavy metal oxide glasses are well known for their good transparency in the mid-infrared (MIR)
domain as well as their high nonlinear refractive index (n2) tens to hundreds times higher than that of silica. We have
investigated the nonlinear frequency conversion processes, based upon either stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) or
soliton fission and soliton self-frequency shift (SSFS) in fibres made up with such highly nonlinear infrared transmitting
glasses. First, SRS has been investigated in a chalcogenide As2S3 step index fibre. In the single pass configuration, under
quasi continuous wave 1550 nm pumping, Raman cascade up to the forth Stokes order has been obtained in a 3 m long
piece of fibre. The possibility to build a Raman laser thanks to
in-fibre written Bragg gratings has also been investigated.
A 5 dB Bragg grating has been written successfully in the core. Then, nonlinear frequency conversion in ultra-short pulse
regime has been studied in a heavy metal oxide (lead-bismuth-gallium ternary system) glass photonic crystal fibre.
Broadband radiation, from 800 nm up to 2.8 μm, has been obtained by pumping an 8 cm long piece of fibre at 1600 nm
in sub-picosecond pulsed regime. The nonlinear frequency conversion process was assessed by numerical modelling
taking into account the actual fibre cross-section as well as the measured linear and nonlinear parameters and was found
to be due to soliton fission and Raman-induced SSFS.
We demonstrate the 3%mol ytterbium doped phosphate glass air-clad photonic crystal fibre (PCF) laser of 43 cm length
in single-mode operation. The fabrication and testing of the fibre laser is introduced. The laser generates from the 12 μm
core of photonic microstructure at wavelength of 1030 nm. Near 4-W output power and 14.6% slope efficiency against
the launched pump power is demonstrated in preliminary characterization.
In this paper we report on the fabrication of a non-symmetric double core microstructured fiber made of in-house
synthesized silicate glass. The micro-structured fiber uses three rings of holes around two cores separated with a single
hole. This fiber has a birefringence of about 10-3 at 1.5 μm and zero dispersion wavelengths at 1.3- 1.5 nm range.
For experimental verification of nonlinear properties of the fiber we use a femtosecod Ti:Sapphire oscillator emitting in
the range of 750-900 nm in the normal dispersion regime of the pumped fiber. Measurements we performed with
excitation of one of the core and readout at the output from both cores separately. Registered spectra show a strong
coupling between cores and there is no evident difference between signals for excited or other core. Generated spectrum
is flat and relatively narrow, which is a result of pumping in normal region of fiber dispersion as we predicted with
simulations.
In this paper we report on the fabrication and characterization of a double glass micro-structured fiber with low index core and photonic cladding made of high index micro-rods. Micro rods are made of lead-oxide F2 commercially available glass (SCHOTT Inc.) with a refractive index nD=1.619, while as background we use a borosilicate NC21 glass with a refractive index nD=1.533. The fiber cladding is composed of 8 rings of F2 glass micro rods ordered in hexagonal lattice. A core is created by replacement of seven F2 rods with NC21 rods. A fabricated fiber has a linear filling factor of 0.75 and micro rods diameter of 1.2 μm. A core has a diameter of 3.7 μm while cladding and total fiber diameter are 42,6μm and 120 μm, respectively.
Using supercontinuum source we have measured transmission properties of the fabricated fiber. Based on measurements of the fiber samples of 18-80 cm long we have identified two photonic band gaps. Fist band gap is localized in visible range at 610 nm central wavelength. The second broadband photonic band gap is localized in near infrared and it is 80 nm wide at 840 nm central wavelength.
In this paper we report on use stack and draw technique to develop volume 2D photonic crystals made of two types of
soft glasses with a large difference of refractive index. Existence of partial photonic bandgap in the material is predicted
and modeled.
Recently we have fabricated at Institute of Electronic Materials Technology (ITME) a microstrucuted fiber made of silicate glass NC21A synthesized in-house at ITME. Fabricated fiber is build of three rings of holes around slightly elliptical core (2.6 μm x 3.4 μm). Dispersion properties of the fiber are calculated based on real structure with biorthonormal basis method. Fabricated fiber has a birefringence at the level of 10-3 at 1.5 μm. A zero dispersion is achieved for the wavelengths 860 nm and 870 nm, respectively.
In this fiber, pumped with 100 fs pulses with energy of nJ level, ultra broadband supercontinuum generation in the range 400 - 1600 nm has been achieved.
In this paper we report on fabrication of all-Solid photonic Cladding and Air Core fiber (SCAC fiber). As far as we know it is a first reported fabrication of such PCF. Microrods are made of commercially available lead-oxide F2 glass (SCHOTT Inc.) with a refractive index nD=1.619, while as background we use a borosilicate NC21 glass synthesized in-house at ITME with a refractive index nD=1.533. A fabricated fiber has a lattice constant of Λ≈7.49μm and microrods diameter of d≈4.0μm. Air core has a diameter of DR=3.67μm and total fiber diameter is Dfiber=123.80μm.
In this paper we report on the fabrication of a micro-structured fiber made of in-house synthesized silicate glass, with a
nonlinear Kerr refractive index of 4.0 10-15 cm2/W. The micro-structured fiber uses three rings of holes around a slightly
elliptical core with dimensions 2.6 μm x 3.4 μm. This fiber has a birefringence of about 10-3 at 1.5 μm and zero
dispersion wavelengths at 860 nm and 870 nm. Using this fiber we have demonstrated ultra broadband supercontinuum
generation in the range 400 - 1600 nm for 19.5 cm fiber sample pumped with 100 fs pulses with central wavelength of
755 nm and energy of 2 nJ. Broadband generation of 200 nJ in the range 650-850 nm with pulse energy on the level of
0.5 nJ is also observed with the same structure.
Photonic crystals are wavelength-scale periodic structures built from dielectrics with different refractive indexes As
standard 2D photonic crystals are fabricated by lithographic methods, but in this case only planar structure can be
obtained. We have adapted stack and draw technique that is usually used for photonic crystal fiber fabrication to develop
volume 2D photonic crystals.
Technology allows fabrication of high contrast structures with air holes as well as low contrast solid-all structures where
air holes are replaced with glass micro rods of refractive index. Use of soft glasses with a high difference in refractive
index allows development of a structure where partial photonic band gap exists. The proposed method offers possibility
of fabrication volume 2D photonic crystal with a diameter in the order of 1 mm and height of a few mm. Large area
photonic crystals are very attractive as new optical material named 'photonic glass' with built-in photonic bandgap
functionality. Preliminary fabrication test were performed for two pairs of soft glasses NC21/F2 and SK222/Zr3. The
considered glasses are thermally matched and are synthesized in-house except of F2 glass (standard Schott glass).
Obtained structures are regular with some defects on the borders between intermediate performs. Some glass diffusion is
observed between Zr3 and SK222 glasses. With this technique a 2D photonic crystal with a hexagonal lattice was
fabricated with a pair of soft glasses SK222 and Zr3. Microrod diameter is 749nm and lattice constant 1110 nm.
Photonic crystal consists of 166421 elements (425 elements on diagonal) and its total surface is about field ~0,178mm2.
In this paper we report on progress in optimization of the material and structure of photonic crystal fibers for use as an
element of fiber sensor of strain and temperature. The fabricated photonic structures consist of elliptical-like holes
ordered in rectangular lattice. The rectangular lattice is applied to obtain global asymmetry of photonic structure with
two-fold geometry and to create birefringence of fiber. Elliptical air holes allows to increase birefringence in the
structure up to the order of 10 -2 for wavelength of 1.55 μm, theoretically. Additionally, rectangular lattice gives a better
control of elliptical air holes uniformity during fabricating process. For fabrication of the fibers we use NC21 borosilicate
glass. Use of high quality glass allows omitting problems with very high attenuation of the previously fabricated
highly birefringent photonic crystal fibers made of SK222 glass. With full vector plane-wave expansion method an
influence of structure parameters such as ellipticity of air holes and aspect ratio of rectangular lattice on birefringence
and modal properties of the fiber is studied. In this paper we present optimization of the fiber structure design, which
takes into account technological limits of fabrication of elliptical holes in fibers. Theoretical birefringence is compared
with experimental measurements. Experimental results already obtained allows to predict birefringence at the order of 10
-3 for wavelength of 1.55 μm for optimized photonic cladding of the fibers.
An all-solid photonic crystal fiber can be developed using two thermally matched glasses with one glass forming the
background, and the other the lattice of inclusions. Optical properties of all-solid holey fibers (SOHO) are sensitive to
the photonic cladding configuration, much the same as PCFs with air holes, and strongly depend on dispersion properties
of the materials used. When a high index contrast between the glasses is assured photonic crystal fiber can effectively
guide light with photonic band gap mechanism. This can be easily achieved when multicomponent soft glass is used for
fiber fabrication.
We report on new developments of F2/NC-21 silicate all-glass PCFs. F2 is a commercially available glass (Schott Inc.)
with a high concentration of lead-oxide (PbO=45.5%) and the refractive index nD=1.619. It can be used both as the
background material and as a material for micro-rods (inclusions). A borosilicate glass (B2O3=26.0%) NC-21 glass has been
synthesized in-house at IEMT. NC21 has the index nD=1.533 and was used as the material for micro-rods (inclusions) or as
a background glass in the structures. The two selected glasses have a high index contrast equal to 0,084 at 1,55μm
wavelength. In this report we present new results on optimization of the filling factor d/Λ and reduction of the lattice
pitch Λ necessary to obtain efficient guidance at 1.55 μm.
The numerical analysis of SOHO F2/NC21 fibers has been carried out using a full-vector mode solver based on the
plane-wave expansion method. In our paper we report on photonic crystal fibers with two guiding mechanisms: an
effective index with a high index core (low index inclusions made of NC21 glass and F2 used as a background glass) and
a photonic band gap with a low index core (high index inclusions made of F2 glass and NC21 used as a background
glass).
Double-clad photonic crystal fibre structure for laser applications is demonstrated. The double-clad structure of the fibre has the air-cladding with glass bridges of waists less than 500nm. The fibre was produced with phosphate glass and the core region was doped with ytterbium. The fibre was investigated and we found it to be monomode for generation wavelength of 1008nm. Whole fibre producing process including doped and undoped glass manufacturing and fibre drawing was held in Institute of Electronic Materials Technology.
Microstructured fibers with small core are successfully used as a medium for supercontinuum generation. Since light can
be confined in a small core a high density of energy in the fiber is obtained and stimulate nonlinear effects. Use of lead
multicomponent glass allows increasing nonlinear refractive index in the fiber and shape dispersion properties of the
fiber. In this case effective broadening of the spectrum can be obtained with less then 1 m of the fiber. In this paper we
present properties of photonic crystal fibers optimized for supercontinuum generation.
We present recent achievements in fabricating a two-dimensional (2D) photonic crystal in the form of a bundle of parallel micro- or nanowires embedded in glass matrix. The method is similar to that of sequential thinning used for fabrication of photonic crystal fibers. We discuss technological issues that aim at preservation of regularity of photonic crystal lattice and uniformity of wire diameters. Proper selection of a melting point of metal alloy and the range of temperatures of glass viscosity leads to reduction of regularity losses resulting from sequential processes of drawing. Measured distributions of crystal lattices, wire diameters and shapes of wires are used to simulate photonic band structure of fabricated crystals. This work is directed toward fabrication of a photonic crystal showing the negative refraction in the near infrared and visible spectral range.
Most photonic crystal fibers are made by stacking rods and tubes of a single glass. It is universal procedure to create an
air-glass perform which is drawn into a final fiber. It is difficult to obtain an air-glass structure with topology similar to
design one in practice. An alternative approach is to replace air holes with glass micro-rods in the considered structures.
Use of multicomponent glass allows obtaining a large contrast between microrods and background glass. As a result
index guiding and photonic bandgap fibers can be fabricated. In this paper we compare properties of air-glass and double
glass structures and report on fabrication double glass structures.
A high birefringence in photonic crystal fiber is determined by a lattice type and shape of the holes. Based on the
simulations with use of biorthonormal basis method an optimized structure with rectangular lattice and elliptical-like air
holes has been selected. In this paper we present expected properties of the fiber. Preliminary experimental results are
presented.
We report on the fabrication of photonic band gap fiber made of multicomponent glass. This fiber has a hexagonal lattice made of an array of 17 x 17 air capillaries with a lattice constant Λ=6.0 μm and air holes of diameter equal to d=5.7 μm. A hollow core is created by omitting seven central microcapillaries and have diameter of 16 μm. Characterization results show that the fiber can guide the light in the visible range with a central wavelength of 510 nm. The transmission properties for the presented PCFs are measured by using a broadband light source and an optical spectrum analyzer. In the paper we discuss also possible future modifications of the structures and their potential applications.
We present experimental realization of nonlinear and highly birefringent microstructure fiber fabricated from silicate glass. Using full vector FEM mode solver the numerical analysis of reported fiber is performed and its modal, polarization and dispersive properties are investigated. Particularly, the calculations reveals guidance of two orthogonally polarized eigenmodes with the difference of its effective indexes B=0.0025 for wavelength λ=1.55 μm. Additionally, spectral broadening of the 50 fs Ti:Sapphire laser impulses with average power 150mW coupled into 39 cm section of the fiber is observed.
In the paper we report on development of all-solid holey fibers. Numerical analysis of dispersion properties of such fibers is also presented. The periodic microrods that forms cladding are made of glass instead of air. Use of two or more multicomponent glasses in the fiber structure allow to manipulate refractive index contrast in the structures which is not possible in holey fibers. The all-solid holey fibers offer additional degree of freedom to the designer for determination of dispersion in fibers than in case of air-holes PCFs. Moreover a fabrication of all-solid PCFs allows to better control of geometry and uniformity of the cladding structure design.
Most works on photonic crystal fibers with a photonic bandgap are concerned with structures made of silica glass with a hexagonal lattice. However, there are many other possible choices for the crystal structure of the fiber. In this paper, we study the optical properties of photonic bandgaps in a hollow-core photonic crystal fiber with a square lattice fabricated from multi-component glass. A composition of oxides was chosen to obtain a refractive index contrast higher than in fused silica fibers. The core size of the fiber is 11 microns and the cladding is made of an array of 17 x 17 air capillaries. A full-vector mode solver using the biorthonormal basis method is employed to analyze the modal properties of the fiber. We verify the guiding properties of the fiber by FDTD simulations. The transmission properties for several lengths of the fiber were measured by using broadband light from a nanosecond-pulse supercontinuum source and an optical spectrum analyzer. Preliminary results show that light is guided around 1650 nm. Possible modifications of the structure and potential applications will be discussed.
We present experimental realization of elliptical-hole rectangular lattice photonic crystal fibres fabricated from multi-component glass. The photonic cladding has a lattice constant 2.17 μ and 3.72 μ for main axis, respectively and elliptical holes with ellipticity 2.14. The rectangular lattice is chosen to obtain two-fold geometry and to increase the global asymmetry of photonic structure, which enhance birefringence of fibre. Rectangular lattice allows also a better control of elliptical air holes uniformity during fabricating process. Fabricated fibres have a cladding with a rectangular cross-section. It allows for easy identification of the fibre's principal axes and orientation of the fibre with respect to directional measured perturbation like axial stress, bending force in sensor applications. Using a full vector plane-wave expansion method an influence of structure parameters such as ellipticity of air holes and aspect ratio of rectangular lattice on birefringence and modal properties of the fibres are studied. Potential applications of the fibres are discussed.
Low cost, high bandwidth, narrowband and multifunctionality are main targets for new optical devices development. Planar optics is probably the best solution for future telecom long distance and access transmission networks but also
for metrology sensing devices. Many different materials can be used for this purpose like PECVD silica, multicomponent glasses or even polymers. Bragg grating inscription in such material is another advantage to achieve narrowband spectral characteristic of device, which is essential in modern systems. The main purpose of presented work was the development in technology and measurement techniques of channels formed on the surface of the glass. Planar couplers and structures that are more complicated can also be made in the same technology in the future. Special multicomponent glasses SiO2-GeO2-B2O3-Na2O-SnO2 with up to 6 %mol of Sn were synthetized and thin rectangular polished plates were prepared. The UV 244 nm 100 mW Coherent argon ion frequency doubled laser was used in our experiments. Surface relief structures similar to the compaction-densification/expansion model of photosensitivity were
developed on the glass surface. The optical microscope and alpha-step profiler were used for preliminary tests of photoinduced structures on the glass surface. The ability of the writing possibility in function of Sn content and different laser power levels were analyzed.
A range of integrated fiber optic structures - lightguides, image guides, multicapillary arrays, microstructured (photonic) fibers - manufactured in the Institute of Electronic Materials Technology (ITME) is described. All these structures are made of multicomponent glasses (a part of them melted in ITME). They can be manufactured in similar multistep process that involves drawing glass or lightguide rods and tubes preparing glass performs, stacking a bundle with rods and (or) tubes, drawing multifiber or multicapillary performs. Structure formation, technological process, characterization and applications of different integrated structures are presented.
The properties of photonic crystal fibers are determined by the structure of photonic cladding: filling factor, type of lattice and shape of air holes. The dispersion and modal characteristics of the fiber can be modified by adding an additional lattice of glass micro-rods with a refractive index higher than the glass substrate. We have fabricated a solid-core photonic crystal fiber with a double photonic cladding composed of air holes and glass micro-rods, where a high index multicomponent glass is used for the micro-rods. As a reference a fiber with similar parameters and a single lattice of air holes is fabricated. The fiber cladding is composed of 17 x 17 air holes and micro-rods ordered in square lattice. In this paper, we study the optical properties of photonic crystal fiber with single and double lattices. FDTD method and a full-vector mode solver based on biorthonormal basis method are used for fiber analysis. Possible modifications of the structure and potential applications will be discussed.
In photonic crystal fiber technique a free choice of microstructure allows flexible design of multicore waveguides. In this paper we study properties of a double-core fiber with square and hexagonal lattices. They can be modified with local changes of a structure. Variable size of the central hole that separates cores influences mode coupling properties. Full-vector mode solver using the biorthonormal basis method is employed to analyze guiding properties of the double-core fiber. In FDTD numerical simulations we study coupling efficiency in fibers with various crystal structures. We present experimental realizations of solid double-core photonic crystal fibers fabricated from multi-component glass. Composition of oxides is chosen to obtain higher refractive index than available in fused silica and relatively low-loss guidance when compared to other silicate glasses. Transmission properties of double-core fibers are measured, inter-core coupling mechanism and possible applications are discussed.
Most works on photonic crystal fibers used for telecommunication are concerned with the structure of single mode fibers with a hexagonal lattice. However, there are many other possible choices of the fiber's crystal structure. In this paper we present a comparison of the basic characteristics of the photonic crystal fibers with hexagonal and rectangular crystal lattices and of the resulting differences in the structure's axial symmetries. Like in natural crystals the number of the axes of symmetry implies different optical characteristics of the photonic structures. In order to compare the properties of the photonic fibers with a hexagonal and rectangular lattices we use a vector method of biorthonormal bases. We also present a possible technology of manufacturing fibers with different crystal structures.
The freedom in choosing a crystal structure of the photonic fiber makes possible to manufacture fibers with more than one core. In this paper we present simulations of the characteristics of a double-core photonic crystal fiber with a square lattice. Such fiber can be used in telecomunication switches. The simulations of the modal structure were done using a vector method of biorthonormal bases. The results show that a double-core crystal, which exhibits mode coupling between cores fiber, can be designed. We present preliminary results of manufacturing of a double-core photonic fiber and measurements of its transmission characteristics.
We present the results of modeling of photonic crystal fibers with a square lattice and square holes. In photonic fibers having an order m = 2 symmetry the degeneracy of the fundamental mode that is a combination of the polarization modes HE11x and HE11y disappears. The advantage of the square structure is that the photonic crystal fiber becomes very sensitive to deformations caused by external factors yet it remains highly birefringent. The propagation constants of both modes were calculated using the vector method of biorthonormal bases. The use of a square lattice in a photonic crystal fiber makes possible to achieve birefringence of the order of 10-2. We have examined the dependence of birefringence on the geometrical parameters of the fiber's structure.
Erbium doped optical glasses are effective media for active lasers generating eye safe radiation of a wavelength 1.53 divided by 1.55 micrometers . Development of erbium glass laser systems requires investigations aimed at improvement in glass properties and increase in effectiveness of laser radiation generation. Phosphate glass samples with various Cr2O3, Yb2O3 and Er2O3 contents based upon P2O5-Al2O3-BaO-PbO- K2O oxide system were prepared. The obtained phosphate glasses are characterized by advantageously low thermal expansion coefficient what is important for increase of glass resistance to thermal shock, especially when they are applied as rods for lamp pumped lasers. The effect of changing concentrations of Er3+ and sensitizes Cr3+, Yb3+ as well as glass base compositions on luminescence properties were investigated. The spectral and spectroscopic properties were measured for these glasses. Absorption spectra of these Er3+, Yb3+ and Cr3+-doped glasses were measured in spectral range 190 nm divided by 25 micrometers at room temperature. The excitation and luminescence spectra were also recorded at room temperature on a spectro fluorometer using a diode laser as an excitation source. The presence of hydroxyl groups is an important factor influencing glass structure. In glasses having high concentration of hydroxyl ions, strong attenuation of a lifetime of excited Er3+ ions was stated. In such a case the absorption band around 3.3 micrometers was observed. Concentration of OH groups was reduced due to adequate special melting process of glass. Carried out investigations on thermal, optical, and spectroscopic properties of the obtained glasses showed their good quality, ensuring possibility of their application in laser systems.
The results of technology research on high resolution fiber optic image guides (used in medical needle endoscopes) are presented. Work has been concentrated on optimization of image contrast and resolution of the image guide. Special attention has been paid to contrast enhancement and cross- talk phenomenon between pixels. The measurements of diffusion properties of different extra mural absorption (EMA) glasses have been carried out to find proper technology of the image guides manufacturing. As a result a comparison of transmission properties of different image guides is presented.
The paper present the first stage of researches aiming to elaboration of Er3+ and Cr3+ ions doped ytterbium-phosphate laseroriented glasses pumped with flash lamp or with laser diode (?=97Onm) and emitting "eye-safe" radiation (?=1.54?m) and active fiber-oriented one for amplifiers on wave 1.53÷1.55?m. Worked out glasses are characterized by low coefficient of thermal expansion (high resistance on thermal shock), do not crystallize or show slight inclination to devitrification in temperatures of fiber forming and possess advantageous rheological characterization. Spectral and spectroscope investigations of glasses show on their usefulness for laser applications. Especially refers this to glasses with simultaneous content Er3+ and Cr3+ ions giving strong luminescence.
Erbium laser glasses have attracted much attention due to their capability for emission of radiation at the 'eye safe' wavelength of 1.54 microns. The development of erbium glass laser systems has renewed the requirements for additional research into improved laser glass properties and performance. This report describes the effect of variations erbium, ytterbium, chromium ions and glass base compositions on laser efficiency and the improved properties of a new glass base. The spectral properties and laser characteristics were measured for this ne glass. Absorption spectra of these Er3+ and Yb3+-doped glasses were measured in the spectral range 190 divided by 5000 nm at room temperature. The excitation and luminescence spectra were also recorded at room temperature on a JOBIN-YVON spectrofluorometer using a diode laser as an excitation source. The measurements of the lifetime of the ER3+ ions in the upper laser level of the samples were made by the direct method with pulse excitation.
The paper presents initial results of examination of glasses doped with uranium ions. In such material an effect of non- linear adsorption is possible within a spectral range of 1.5 micrometers . A synthesis of silicate glasses, silicate-borate and phosphate glasses doped with uranium ions was performed. Substantial thermal parameters as well as optical and spectroscopic properties of the obtained glasses were examined. It was stated that wide absorption band in a spectral region of 1.4 divided by 1.6 micrometers , originated from U2+ ions, appears only in phosphate glasses. U2+ doped phosphate glass shows non-linear absorption effect in this region. Absorber transmission varying with increase in energy density of the transmitted radiation of 1.535 micrometers was determined. A giant-pulse erbium glass laser, generation the pulses of energy of 8 mJ and duration 25 ns, was applied for these investigations. Energy density of a diagnostic pulse was changed within a range of 0.001 divided by 30 J/cm3. Non-active losses, absorption cross section, saturation energy, concentration of active media, relaxation time, and energy losses for absorber bleaching were determined.
The subject of the research was silicate glasses characterized by properly matched optical, thermal and rheological properties, which would enable their use in manufacturing of multifiber light and image-guide integrated rods aimed for high efficient guiding of VIS and NIR radiation (0, 4 divided by 2 micrometers ). Elaborating a synthesis and laboratory melting method of the low dispersion, high homogeneity colorless multicomponent silicate rod and clad glasses, mandatory components of fiberoptic light guides, as well as a high absorbing extra mural absorption glass, for outside optical insulation layer, has been presented. The manufacturing possibilities of integrated rod-shaped light and image-guiding structures, with high efficiency to transmit a VIS and NIR radiation have been stated. They are mainly used as light conductors in light-cured polymer dentist lamps, in laser devices for biostimulation, therapeutics, cosmetics, and medical treatments, as well as in advanced devices for photon coagulation.
Results of the R+D works as well as technological trials aiming at conception and manufacturing of the light guide rods (applicators) for photon coagulators, applied for therapeutical treatment and surgery, have been presented. Such rods, due to their light guiding structure, enable effective guidance of the NIR radiation of a high energy directly to the treatment area. A method was worked out to convert specially matched glasses into the integrated light transmitting structures. The effect of a type and quality of the glass, light guides structure and their aperture onto the effectiveness of radiation power transmission was investigated. The first trials were carried out to apply new type of rods for laparoscope and gynecological treatments.
The paper presents research work and technological trials aiming at conception and manufacturing of the light guide rods (applicators) for the photon coagulators applied for therapeutical treatment and surgery. Such rods, due to their light guiding structure, enable effective guidance of the NIR radiation of a high energy directly to the treatment area. A method was worked out to convert specially matched glasses into the integrated light transmitting structures. The effect of a type and quality of the glass, light guides structure and their aperture onto the effectiveness of radiation power transmission was investigated. The first trials were carried out to apply new types of rods for laparoscope and gynecological treatments.
Results of research on lightguides and imageguides made of fiber optic integrated structure have been presented. Integrated bundles are being used in many biomedical and technical applications. Practical suitability of these structures is determined by a few parameters: transmission, cross-section structure, resolution, contrast. To meet all these requirements it is necessary to solve many technological problems.
Manufacturing problems concerning glasses used for making of GRIN type lenses have been presented. The most important requirements to glass quality is its high chemical and physical homogeneity. The results in obtaining of GRIN structure made of glasses melted on a laboratory scale in electrical resistance furnace as well in induction furnace have been presented. The quality of the glasses obtained has been compared with the glass melted in Optical Glass Works in Jelenia Gora. It has been determined the direction of the glass homogeneity optimization by the use of the single-step method of glass rods manufacturing by pulling them from the induction heated crucible.
There has recently been a wide interest in endoscopes with minimized diameter for medical and technical applications. A small diameter of the endoscope can be realized by use of fiber optic multirod with arranged structure, instead of a system of many sequentially placed lenses. With fiber optic technique it is possible to manufacture rods with square and circular sections, 1 mm, and even below, in diameter and as much as 1 m in length. Successful experimental manufacturing of such fiber optic image guide rods has been performed at the Institute of Electronic Materials Technology in Warsaw. Various technological problems (like image cleanliness improvement, enhancing of relayed image contrast and resolution, choice of proper rod cladding and EMA glasses) were encountered.
Fiber optic image guides (tapers) are one of the most important
elements used to build many optoelectronic Instruments for technical
purposes and medicine. Application of these elements has croated
entirely new technical possibilities for image processing. They are
applied in X- ray units, apparatuses for endoscopy, LLLTV cameras as
Well as in modern types of night vision devices. The images obtained
with the use of image guides may be observed in real time on
a television monitor. The images feature high resoution and contrast.
The other advantage may also be pointed out, such as the possibility
to register and edit the image with the use of computer or the
possibility to reduce the exposure tme and intensity in X-ray units.
Optical fibers with layers of glass-ceramics are considered and tested with respect to their use in different environments as single- and multimode lightguides. Glass-ceramic optical fibers are tested that have different material compositions, cross-section topologies, and coefficients of thermal expansion (CTEs). Stress-induced optical phase-temperature effects can be studied with glass ceramics that have CTEs of around zero, and the glass ceramic sensors are compared to nontreated fibers to study the dependencies of the fibers'' parameters on induced stress and temperature. The application of glass-ceramics with various values of linear CTE to the fibers is studied to scale the characteristics of a glass-ceramic fiber-optic thermometer for several temperature ranges. The sensor can be stabilized when the pure stress-temperature effect is isolated. These glass-ceramic optical fibers are shown to provide unique characteristics for the use of fiber-optic measuring devices in certain measurement environments.
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