Lamb waves are a type of guided ultrasound wave that propagate in plate material and have found applications in the
fields of structural health monitoring and material properties evaluation. They have modal properties and are divided into
two categories, symmetric and antisymmetric. Normally they are measured through detection of surface movement;
however analysis shows that the greatest difference in particle motion between the modes is at the centre of the plate. In
this paper the use of fibre Bragg gratings and polarimeters, embedded at different locations within the plate, to detect the
differences in strain and pressure these ultrasound modes produce by is described.
Ultrasonic Lamb waves can be detected by various optical sensors, including polarimetric and FBG fibre sensors
embedded within a sample plate. The difference between the responses of two types of optical fibre sensors, both
positioned at different depths within a carbon fibre composite plate, to the first symmetric (S0) and antisymmetric (A0)
Lamb waves are described. These responses illustrate the differences in internal strains and pressures characteristic of
the two modes and may be used to identify phenomena such as mode conversion that might be caused by either structural
features or damage within the material.
Ultrasonic Lamb waves can be detected by various optical sensors, including polarimetric and FBG fibre sensors
embedded within the sample plate. The difference between the responses of two types of optical fibre sensors, both
positioned at different depths within a carbon fibre composite plate, to the first symmetric (S0) and antisymmetric (A0)
Lamb waves are described. These responses illustrate the difference in characteristics between the two modes and may
be used to identify phenomena such as mode conversion that might be caused by either structural features or damage
within the material.
A novel and direct absorption line recovery technique based on tunable diode laser spectroscopy with intensity
modulation is presented. Photoacoustic spectroscopy is applied for high sensitivity, zero background and efficient
acoustic enhancement at a low modulation frequency. A micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) mirror driven by an
electrothermal actuator is used for generating laser intensity modulation (without wavelength modulation) through the
external reflection. The MEMS mirror with 10μm thick structure material layer and 100nm thick gold coating is formed
as a circular mirror of 2mm diameter attached to an electrothermal actuator and is fabricated on a chip that is
wire-bonded and placed on a PCB holder. Low modulation frequency is adopted (since the resonant frequencies of the
photoacoustic gas cell and the electrothermal actuator are different) and intrinsic high signal amplitude characteristics in
low frequency region achieved from measured frequency responses for the MEMS mirror and the gas cell. Based on the
property of photoacoustic spectroscopy and Beer's law that detectable sensitivity is a function of input laser intensity in
the case of constant gas concentration and laser path length, a Keopsys erbium doped fibre amplifier (EDFA) with
opto-communication C band and high output power up to 1W is chosen to increase the laser power. High modulation
depth is achieved through adjusting the MEMS mirror's reflection position and driving voltage. In order to scan through
the target gas absorption line, the temperature swept method is adopted for the tunable distributed feed-back (DFB) diode
laser working at 1535nm that accesses the near-infrared vibration-rotation spectrum of acetylene. The profile of
acetylene P17 absorption line at 1535.39nm is recovered ideally for ~100 parts-per-million (ppm) acetylene balanced by
nitrogen. The experimental signal to noise ratio (SNR) of absorption line recovery for 500mW laser power was ~80 and
hence the detectable sensitivity is of the order of 1ppm.
Gas sensing systems based on fibre optic linked near infra red absorption cells are potentially a flexible and effective tool
for monitoring accumulations of hazardous and noxious gases in enclosed areas such as tunnels and mines. Additionally
the same baseline technology is readily modified to measure concentrations of hydrocarbon fuels - notably but not
exclusively methane, and monitoring emissions of greenhouse gases. Furthermore the system can be readily
implemented to provide intrinsically safe monitoring over extensive areas at up to ~250 points from a single
interrogation unit.
In this paper we review our work on fibre coupled gas sensing systems. We outline the basic principles through which
repeatable and accurate self calibrating gas measurements may be realised, including the recover of detailed line shapes
for non contact temperature and / or pressure measurements in addition to concentration assessments in harsh
environments. We also outline our experience in using these systems in extensive networks operating under inhospitable
conditions over extended periods extending to several years.
There are many applications of ultrasound in the field of material properties' evaluation and structural
health monitoring. Here we will consider the detection of broadband laser generated ultrasound taking as
an example acoustic emission as simulated by the pencil break test. In this paper three optical methods of
detecting these ultrasound signals are compared; these are polarimetry, fibre Bragg gratings and
vibrometery. Of these, the first two involve the bonding of a fibre sensor to the sample, whilst the
vibrometer is a non-contact instrument that measures out-of-plane displacements. FBGs respond to the inplane
strains associated with an ultrasound wave whilst the polarimeter detects birefringence produced by
pressure waves acting normal to the fibre. The sensitivities of the systems are compared and their relative
merits are discussed. It will also be shown that the polarimetric responses of symmetric and antisymmetric
Lamb waves differ, which opens up the possibility of learning more about the nature of an acoustic signal
using this technique than can be determined simply from the measurement of in-plane or out-of plane displacements alone.
The interaction of fibre Bragg grating sensors with ultrasonic acoustic waves in water is investigated in the near field
region of a 1-3 piezocomposite transducer. Longitudinal and transverse strain coupling is studied using two different
grating designs and high fidelity measurement of the emitted field was demonstrated.
Mechanical properties of materials may be obtained from the inversion of ultrasonic Lamb wave dispersion curves. In
order to do this broadband excitation and detection of ultrasound is required. As sample size and, in particular, thickness,
are reduced to those of microstructures, ultrasound frequencies in the range of the gigahertz region will be required. We
look at two possible cw laser excitation techniques which, having far lower peak powers than the more frequently used
Q-switched lasers, therefore give a negligible risk of damaging the sample through ablation. In the first method the
modulation frequency of a sinusoidally modulated laser is swept over the required range. In the second, the laser is
modulated with a series of square pulses whose timing is given by a PRBS (pseudo random binary sequence) in the form
of a modified m-sequence.
The potential for using fiber Bragg grating rosettes for the location of ultrasound sources in anisotropic structures is
discussed. Anisotropic propagation of Lamb waves in a carbon fiber composite plate has been investigated using two
approaches. Firstly, a finite element model of the displacements/strains produced by the wave was developed and,
secondly, in-plane ultrasonic strain mapping was carried out, utilizing the directional properties of FBG sensors. The
possibility of designing FBG rosette configurations for use on anisotropic structures is discussed in light of these results.
In previous work we have described the detection and location of damage in isotropic materials using fibre Bragg
gratings rosettes to directionally detect Lamb waves. To extend this technique to composite materials it is necessary to
understand the propagation characteristics of ultrasound in these materials as a function of their orientation with respect
to the ply, and also the directional response of fibre Bragg gratings to them. Finite element modeling of Lamb wave
propagation in a 0°, 90° carbon fibre plate is described, as are experiments to detect these waves for various orientations
of the source and alignments of the FBG transducers. Results of the experiments are interpreted with respect to
predictions from the FE modeling and are shown to give good qualitative agreement.
Ultrasound is a valuable tool for the detection of damage in structures and the characterisation of material properties. Its
detection is conventionally done by piezoelectric transducers, however fibre optic sensors can operate over a greater
range of frequencies and also yield information on the direction of wave propagation. The interaction between fibre
sensors and ultrasound both demonstrates the integrating features of intrinsic fibre optic sensors and presents new
opportunities in ultrasonic detection, offering enormous diversity in polar and frequency response. This paper
summarises the interaction mechanisms between ultrasound and fibre sensors and confirms their functional flexibility.
We use these results to demonstrate the practical use of these sensors to detect and locate damage in a sample.
The detection and location of holes in an isotropic aluminium plate using fibre Bragg grating rosettes to detect
ultrasound Lamb waves is described. This is followed by a description of the anisotropic properties of a carbon fibre
plate and their effect on hole detection. Finally, the issues involved in attempting to locate holes in an anisotropic
samples are discussed and the possibility of achieving this assessed
The possibility of combining load history with ultrasound signal information offers, potentially, an extremely powerful
method for determining the structural health of a structure. Here we describe how suitably configured fibre Bragg
grating arrays can be used to both monitor strain fields and to detect the magnitude and direction of ultrasound waves.
The directional responses of fibre Bragg gratings to both static and ultrasonic strain fields have been investigated and
the results used to enable the FBGs to be configured into rosettes. These can be interrogated to give both the magnitude
and direction of either the principle static strain or an incident ultrasound Lamb wave.
Measurement of the static strains enables us to perform strain mapping and hence determine load history, whilst
ultrasound detection allows us to monitor a structure for defects such as cracks. If Lamb waves are generated by, for
instance, PZTs bonded to the structure, comparing signals from the rosette with data previously obtained for the healthy
structure allows possible defects to be identified and located. Location is carried out by calculating the intersection point
of ultrasound direction from 2 or more rosettes. The geometry of the rosette configuration is described, together with the
parameters affecting efficient strain transfer and the optimisation of FBG interrogation techniques.
We describe work carried out to monitor the structural health of a complex structure comprising both carbon fibre and metal components using ultrasound techniques. The work is designed to be used in a high performance car, but could find applications in other areas such as the aerospace industry. There are two different types of potential problem that need to be examined; the first is damage (e.g. holes, delaminations) to carbon fibre structure, and the second is damage to joints either between two carbon fibre components or between a carbon fibre component and a metallic one. The techniques used are based around the use of PZT transducers for both the generation and detection of ultrasonic Lamb waves. To date we have been carrying out experiments on mock-up samples, but are due to conduct tests on an actual vehicle.
Lamb waves propagate in modes whose order is determined by the frequency thickness product. Their properties, such as phase and amplitude can be modified by the presence of damage, such as holes and delaminations. If we record the response of a healthy structure, we can then compare it with signals obtained on subsequent occasions to determine if any significant change has taken place. It is essential, however, to be able to differentiate between the effects of damage and those of environmental changes such as temperature. For this reason we have monitored the response of a sample at different temperatures both before and after drilling a hole in it to simulate damage. Depending on the positions of the transducers with respect to the damaged area, it is possible to detect either attenuation of the entire signal or changes in a specific portion of the signal produced by reflections. Results from these experiments will be presented at the conference. Signal processing techniques for separating damage from the effects of temperature will also be discussed.
We also look at the deterioration of joints, which can either be epoxy bonded (carbon fibre to carbon fibre) or bolted together (carbon fibre to aluminium). In the case of the bonded structures we are looking at the effects of failure of the bond layer, whilst in the case of the bolted samples we are looking at loosening of the bolts. The debonding was simulated by joining together a flat plate of carbon fibre composite with an L-shaped carbon fibre piece using a couplant such as grease. Similar experiments were carried out using an aluminium anglebar bolted to the plate, with the bolts both tightened and loose. Signals of both the transmitted wave in the plate and the power coupled to the L piece were measured before and after debonding. This gives a more reliable measure of the change in power transfer between the two components as the joint/bond degrades. It was found that in order to get maximum coupling to the second component the frequency of the acoustic wave had to be altered. This is because in the bonding region the combined thickness of the components alters the modal propagation characteristics of the structure compared with those of the single component region.
With increased interest in the use of compressed gas as a vehicle fuel, attention has been focussed on the safety issues surrounding the tanks used to store the fuel. Currently it is necessary to remove the tanks from the vehicle in order to inspect them, which entails a considerable cost in manpower and takes the vehicle being out of service. We have been developing a sensor scheme that can provide in situ monitoring of the tanks condition. This entails bonding optical fibre sensors to the tank and using them to measure the strains experienced by the tank during pressurisation. If the tank is significantly damaged, then the tank will expand in a distorted manner. We therefore measure the strain characteristics of a healthy tank and use them as a reference for future measurements. The method of strain measurement is the well established rf subcarrier phase detection technique, however in this application the changes in optical power caused by microbending of the fibres during pressurisation produces inaccuracies. In order to overcome this problem we use both in-phase and quadrature mixing and then take the ratio of the outputs to obtain a value of arctangent that is independent of amplitude.
We describe and compare two novel methods of detecting ultrasonic Lamb waves used for damage detection and location, and then go on to compare their characteristics with those of more conventional PZT transducers. The two methods are measurements of the change in polarization state of the light in an optical fibre and the changes in reflected power from a fibre Bragg grating. Since different transducers measure different properties of Lamb waves by different methods, their relative sensitivities to the S0 and A0 modes can also vary. This can be of interest because, for instance, the A0 mode is more sensitive to the presence of delaminations in a sheet due to the larger shear strain component that this mode contains. We also describe the directional properties of the sensors and demonstrate the ways in which these can be used to advantage in the detection and location of damage.
In this paper we describe and compare two methods for detecting Lamb waves used for damage detection. One is a polarimetric sensor that integrates the pressure effects of the acoustic wave along its length, whilst the other is the Bragg grating that measures linear strain and is in effect a point sensor. Both sensors are highly directional, which gives benefits in damage signal detection and source location. We demonstrate both the detection and location of damage and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the two sensors.
This paper describes an all optical non-contact technique to determine material properties in a mechanical structure. Using optical generation of ultrasound and interferometric optical detection to determine the dispersion curves for acoustic (Lamb) waves, readily available numerical algorithms have produced values of Young's Modulus and Poisson ratio with confidence limits of a few percent. The approach may be applied to inspection regions with dimension in the range microns to centimetres.
We describe a novel method of damage location using ultrasonic Lamb waves detected by fiber Bragg gratings. The gratings are configured in a rosette configuration in order that the direction of an incoming wave may be determined. Location of holes was determined by finding the intersect point of the reflected ultrasound signals obtained from two rosettes. Accurate results are obtained when optimum geometries source transducers an fiber gratings are used.
We describe a novel optical acoustic detector based on a bias-controlled fiber Fabry-Perot interferometer. Broad bandwidth as 15 MHz ~ a few GHz and higher sensitivity than that of conventional systems were demonstrated. The minimum detectable phase was 4 x 10-8 rad/Hz1/2, which was 3 times larger than the quantum-limited value.
Ultrasound has been demonstrated to be a perfect tool for NDT. There are several detectors that can be applied in NDT, for example fibre Bragg grating, interferometry, etc. Here we concentrate in polarimetric optical fibre detection.
In this paper we develop a simple but realistic analysis of the ultrasonic wavefront integration technique along an optical fibre for acoustic detection. Our model considers the perturbation caused by the acoustic wave as an isotropic change in the effective refractive index of the sensing fibre used as the detection system and neglects the polarization modulation. Also we assume the stress homoegeneous through the section of the fibre.
The theoretical analysis has been simulated in MATLAB. In this program we have analyzed the relation between the length of the sensing fibre, its distance to the ultrasound source and its sensitivity to ultrasound detection, for different orientations of the source with respect to the sensing fibre. The results indicate that optimum ultrasonic detection may be achieved through careful positioning and orientation of the optical fibre. These results may be applied, for example in NDT, where scattered ultrasound from defects introduces new effective sources that may be characterized by arrays of these integrating sensors.
We describe a novel but simple method of detecting Lamb waves through the measurement of the changes in the polarimetric state of light propagating through an optical fibre which has been either embedded into or bonded onto the plate to be tested. The directional properties of the sensor are described, as is its ability to detect a hole produced in the plate. We also show how the relative sizes of the detected signal amplitudes from the source PZT and from the hole vary according to the alignment of the source with the sensor axis.
In this report we will present some preliminary results on a RF sub-carrier based fibre strain sensing system for on-line monitoring of composite high pressure storage tanks for natural gas or hydrogen. By employing a temperature compensation scheme to the system developed has shown stable performance with better than 20μm length resolution and comparable long-term drift. The system uses readily available components and could be used for low-cost high volume applications such as on-line continuous monitoring.
We describe a novel fiber-optic system that is able to detect both ultrasonic Lamb waves and the location of their source. The aim of the system is to detect damage in structures such as those found in aerospace applications. Our system involves the use of fiber Bragg gratings, which may be either bonded to the surface of the material or embedded within it in order to detect the linear strain component produced by the acoustic waves. Interrogation of the Bragg gratings is carried out using a laser, which is tuned to the wavelength that gives the maximum sensitivity on the grating response curve. An amplitude modulated signal is produced by the interaction of the Lamb wave with the grating. The well defined directional properties of the Bragg grating (compared to the isotropic response of the more commonly used piezoceramic disc transducers) are used to determine the direction of propagation of the acoustic waves by mounting three of the gratings in a rosette configuration. Two suitably spaced rosettes are used to locate the source of the ultrasound by taking the intersection of the directions given by each rosette. This will become important when we extend the technique to include the study of the use of changes in the propagation properties of Lamb waves as a method of damage detection. We will present both theoretical and practical results on the interaction of the Lamb waves with the grating and the extraction of directional information from the response of the rosettes.
The problem of damage detection and identification has a natural hierarchical structure. At the higher levels, one might require the diagnostic to return say, information about the expected time to failure of a structure, while at the lowest level, the question is simply of whether a fault is present or not. In many ways, the latter is the most fundamental. In response to the need for robust low-level damage detection strategies, the discipline of novelty detection has recently evolved. The problem is simply to identify from measured data if a machine or structure has deviated from normal condition, i.e., if the data are novel. The method requires a bank of normal condition data against which the possible damage condition data are compared.
We present here the use of Berry's's topological phase for possible realization of fiber optic sensors and devices. Berry's phase is the phase change that can be effected on a light beam without changing the optical path length, but by changing the direction of propagation of light. This phase is not dependent on the material properties of the medium through which light is traveling and hence achromatic. A tunable reflectivity fiber loop mirror based on this phase is demonstrated.
We have demonstrated that Beny's topological phase is readily observable if a helical fibre coil is included in a loop mirror. This configuration has the potential to be used in linear or torsional strain measurement.
A novel distributed fiber optic sensor that incorporates liquid swellable polymers to transduce the swelling into a microbend loss is presented. Interrogation of the sensor using standard optical time domain reflectometry (OTDR) instruments provides the possibility of detecting target chemicals and fluids at any location along the sensor length. The location of multiple events along a sensor, which may extend to 4 km is readily achievable. In this paper we present an overview of the work conducted on the characterization of a distributed optical fiber water sensor. Following a discussion of the basic principles of the water sensor and the underlying technology we present a review of the significant developments achieved. Tests incorporating the sensor in civil engineering applications, which range from monitoring of concrete curing to leak detection in highways, are described. In addition to this, more recent developments to utilize the sensor technology to detect other fluids are discussed, in particular for the monitoring of pH changes and liquid hydrocarbons. We discuss some of the significant advantages in using this type of sensor construction and areas in which it can be practically used.
The combination of chemically sensitive, swellable polymer materials with novel optical fiber cable designs to transduce the swelling activity into microbend loss enables a simple yet powerful sensor to be produced. Interrogating such cables with standard optical time domain reflectoctrometry (OTDR) instruments allows particular chemicals of interest to be detected and located along a cable which may extend to several kilometers. We report here on a sensor cable which uses a water swellable material, a hydrogel, to detect positions of water ingress, relative humidity level or pH value. In direct water ingress tests, wet sensor lengths as small as 5 cm in several hundreds of meters have been detected using conventional OTDRs. Following a review of the sensor design, we present the results of an investigation of the mechanical interaction between the hydrogel polymer and the optical fiber within the sensor. The behavior of the sensor is then characterized within environments of different relative humidity levels from 70 percent to 100 percent at temperatures ranging from 0 to 60 degrees C. The sensor was initially designed for applications within civil engineering but can be applied to a much broader range of measurement requirements, for example soil moisture measurement. We will report details on experimental observations on concrete cure within reinforcing tendon ducts and soil humidity measurements within different soil types.
Optical fiber sensors for monitoring of structures (OSMOS) is a European collaborative research project which has, over the past three years, embraced a number of technological issues related to the problem of structural monitoring in the civil engineering and aerospace industries. A key technical objective of the program was the measurement of temperature and strain using a single sensor length. A laboratory prototype using the differential sensitivities of polarimeters based on the fundamental, LP01 mode and the first higher order LP11 mode of polarization maintaining fiber demonstrated parameter recovery to within 2 C and 5 (mu) (epsilon) . A receiver enabling quasi-distributed measurements to be made with a linear spatial resolution of 70 cm using white light polarimetry was assembled. White light polarimetry was also used in conjunction with pressure sensitive fiber to detect impact damage on a composite radome structure. Impacts of 5 Joules in magnitude were detected with a spatial resolution of around 1 cm. Microwave radio frequency subcarrier measurement techniques were used to develop the engineering processes necessary to integrate optical sensors into civil engineering structures for simulated applications trials. This enabled issues such as stress transfer, mechanical bonding and sensor protection to be addressed. For the aerospace industry, embedding of optical fiber sensors remains an important issue. Here we developed techniques for embedding connectorized fibers such that the component could be machine finished after curing, an important feature of the manufacturing process.
The measurement of quasi-static strain field using optical fibers presents a considerable challenge due to the inherent sensitivity of optical fibers to temperature. This paper summarizes recent work we have carried out on two approaches to this problem. Dual mode polarimetric measurements were investigated as a means of implementing distributed temperature measurements and radio frequency subcarrier sensors have been used to perform the same measurement on an integrated basis. These techniques are contrasted and assessed against other technologies such as Bragg gratings and dispersive Fourier transform spectroscopy on the basis of measurement capability, ease of implementation and technological maturity.
The simple observation that the temperature coefficient of most structural materials in which strain may need to be measured differs from that of optical fiber measuring systems indicates immediately that both temperature and strain fields should be mapped with comparable accuracy in order to arrive at a reliable indication of mechanical strain. This paper initially defines the criteria for adequate compatibility between temperature and strain field measuement and then compares the techniques which have emerged in the past five years to address this problem. All techniques require the measurement of two optical parameters which are typically differential delays e.g. in interferometers and grating sensors or combined dellay and dispersion characteristics. The basic features of these measurement techniques will be addressed and comparisons made between the applicability of the various techniques. As an example, our own work measured temperature and strain to within +/- 2 C and 10 (mu) (epsilon) . Other work, e.g. with Bragg gratings achieves +/- a few tens of (mu) (epsilon) and a few degrees centrigrade.
Many attempts have been made to use optical fibres to measure strain or temperature. However, since fibres are sensitive to both strain and temperature, practical strain measurements require that the effects of temperature are simultaneously measured or compensated for. This necessitates the measurement of two parameters which respond differently to changes in strain and temperature, a condition which may be met using fibres operating in the dual mode regime.
The evanescent coupling between a side polished fiber and a high index multi-mode slab waveguide produces resonances in the wavelength response of the device. The position of these resonances is sensitive to the thickness/index of the superstrate layer. This structure could then provide either film growth monitors or refractive index sensors. The sensitivity of the device is dependent upon the parameters of the slab waveguide and we present here both theoretical and experimental results for a selection of slab indices and thicknesses. The device is capable of detecting index changes of < 4 X 10-5 and with the use of an active material, such as lithium niobate, in the role of the overlay it offers the potential for a closed loop sensor.
Determination of the state of cure of epoxy resin based systems is of considerable interest to manufacturers of large carbon fiber reinforced plastic and glass reinforced plastic structures. Optical methods designed to indicate the cure state have been developed using a loss mechanism which is a function of the refractive index of the curing system. Such techniques are however subject to corruption from losses arising from other influences and consequently are limited in their measurement resolution. In this paper, two techniques which are able to provide a high degree of accuracy of measurement of refractive index are investigated as a means of performing cure measurements. The methods investigated involve the interaction of the evanescent field of a side polished optical fiber with an overlay waveguide or a surface plasmon. Coupling between the fiber and the overlay waveguide (or plasmon) is strongly influenced by the refractive index of the bulk superstrate above the overlay (in this case the curing resin system). Both sensing schemes are self referencing and are not influenced by loss.
High resolution (1 nm), low loss (< 0.2 dB) optical fiber WDMs based on evanescent field coupling between a single mode fiber, side polished close to the core, and a planar high index overlay have been reported previously. By using electro-optic materials in the role of either the overlay or superstrate (above the overlay) the wavelength characteristics may be dynamically tuned under operational conditions. Here we report the results of a theoretical and experimental investigation of the performance limits of these devices. Specific aspects dealt with include the practical limits on the optimization of resolution and tunability (active and passive). Material investigations for use in the overlay structure include lithium niobate, liquid crystals, zinc selenide (vacuum deposited), and silicon. It is concluded that sub nanometer resolution and tuning ranges of several tons of nanometers are realistic for these systems.
It has been demonstrated that power (>95%) can be switched between an optical fibre, side polished close to the core, and a high index multimode waveguide overlay. Using lithium niobate sandwiched between optically transparent indium-tin-oxide electrodes in the role of the overlay, electro-optic switching has been observed. By applying a second polished fibre block to the top surface of the overlay, power may be switched between two fibres. This paper addresses such issues as insertion loss, switching voltage and on off ratios in these devices.
The evanescent field coupling between an optical fibre, side polished close to the core, and a high index multimode waveguide overlay is periodic in terms of the overlay index as individual high order modes are tuned in and out of resonance with the fibre mode. By biasing close to a resonance such a response is suitable for the implementation of an electro-optic modulation function for in line encoding. In this paper the demonstration and characterisation of an in line optical fibre modulator using lithium niobate in the role of the overlay is reported. Such devices do not require interruption of the fibre for component insertion and are thus mechanically robust.
The transfer of optical power between a fibre, side polished close to the core, and a multimode waveguide overlay is periodic in terms of variation of the input wavelength as individual high order overlay modes are tuned in and out of resonance with the fibre mode. The development and characterisation of such devices using polished glass, lithium niobate, and vacuum deposited overlays are reported here. It is concluded that this technology is capable of yielding rugged channel selection filters and wavelength division demultiplexers with losses of less than 0.2dB and wavelength selectivity down to a few nanometres.
The evanescent field coupling from a single-mode optical fiber, side polished close to the core, to a high index (> core index), multimode, planar waveguide overlay has been investigated as a means of realizing in-line components such as modulators, wavelength filters, and sensors without interruption of the fiber. Such structures offer considerable advantages in terms of fiber-to-device interfacing and ruggedization over other component technologies such as integrated, bulk, or micro optics. The results reported here confirm the technical feasibility of manufacturing rugged, low loss, all solid state devices of this nature, and the measured or projected performances are realistic in terms of application requirements.
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