MRES.B.02.04 Fiber Bragg Gratings in optical fiber communications and sensing applications
This course module aims to provide students with an in-depth understanding of a crucial component that is applied not only in optical fiber communication systems but also proves to have an extensive application as a sensor with several advantages in comparison with the traditional electrical ones. This component is based on the fiber Bragg gratings and may be used in optical communications as an optical filter for optical “Add and Drop” multiplexers in a WDM system; as a superstructure FBG for spectral filtering; or as chirped FBG for dispersion compensation. Moreover, it may be an excellent fiber optic sensor when used in a variety of different forms, and is able to cover a broad area of sensing applications. The module will cover topics such as the fundamental theory of FBG operation, the FBG types, the inscription techniques, the interrogation methods, the applications in optical communications and sensing applications.
The contents of the module are outlined as follows:
- Fundamental theory of FBG operation
- CMT technique for uniform gratings
- Transfer Matrix and Transmission Line method for FBG simulation
- Simulation of uniform and non-uniform FBGs
- Different types of FBG
- Chirped FBGs
- Tilted FBGs
- Phase shifted FBGs
- Superstructure FBGs
- Polymer FBGs
- Long Period Gratings (LPFG)
- Inscription Techniques
- Photosensitive fibers
- Phase mask technique
- fs-Laser technique
- Other techniques of inscription
- FBG interrogation methods
- Spectrum analysis method
- Tunable Laser method
- Peak power detection methods
- Other interrogation methods
- Applications in fiber optic communications
- Optical Add and Drop multiplexors
- Superstructure FBG for spectrum filtering
- Dispersing compensation with CFBGs
- FBGs in EDFA design
- Sensing applications
- Stress and strain applications
- Structural health monitoring
- Temperature sensitivity and compensation
- Humidity and pH measurements
- LPFG environmental sensing applications
- Lab project
- Measurement of an FBG spectral reflectivity using an Optical Spectrum Analyzer
- Calculation of the index modulation and the length of inscription
- Measurement of the spectral emission of a pumped Erbium doped fiber
- Design of an FBG for the equalization of the EDF’s emission spectrum
Upon successful completion of the course module, students are expected to be able to:
- Understand the fundamental theory of spectral reflection and transmission from a periodic index variation of a fiber’s core.
- Become familiar with various types of fiber Bragg gratings and their potential applications in fiber optic communications and as a sensing element.
- Understand the inscription techniques and especially the most common ones such as the phase mask and the fs-Laser.
- Learn the basic FBG interrogation methods.
- Develop a simulation software for the analysis of typical uniform and non-uniform FBG.
- Use the FBG as an equalizer optical filter for an EDFA application.
A course on Photonics
A course on Optical Communications
A course on Optoelectronics
Student evaluation comes from
- Lab project x 30%
- Final written exam x 70%
- Othonos and K. Kalli, “Fiber Bragg grating: Fundamental and applications in telecommunications and sensing.” Artech House, 1999.
- Kashyap, “Fiber Bragg Gratings” Elsevier, 2010
- Francis T. S. Yu and Shizhuo Yin, “Fiber Optic Sensors”, Marcel Dekker, Inc. 2002.
RESEARCH ARTICLES
- Erdogan, “Fiber Grating Spectra”, IEEE J. Lightwave Technol. 15 (8) 1277–1294 (1997).
- Erdogan, “Cladding-mode resonances in short and long period fiber grating filters,” J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 14, 1760–1773 (1997).
- A.Stathopoulos, S.P.Savaidis, H.Simos, E.Rigas, R.G.Correia, S.W.James, R.P.Tatam “Transmission line method for the simulation of Fiber Bragg Gratings”, Applied Optics, Vol. 58, Issue 2, 353-360, (2019)
- A.Stathopoulos and I.Simos “Modelling of non-uniform and fs-Laser inscribed fibre Bragg gratings”, Optical Fiber Technology, 70, 102878 (2022)
- J.Mihailov, D.Grobnic, C.W. Smelser, P.Lu, R.B.Walker, and H.Ding “Induced Bragg Gratings in Optical Fibers and Waveguides Using an Ultrafast Infrared Laser and a PhaseMask” Hindawi Publishing Corporation Laser Chemistry Vol 2008, Article ID 416251, 20 pages doi:10.1155/2008/416251
- A.Slattery, D.N.Nikogosyan and Gilberto Brambilla, “Fiber Bragg grating inscription by high-intensity femtosecond UV laser light: comparison with other existing methods of fabrication” J. Opt. Soc. Am. B Vol. 22, No. 2 February 2005
- Zhou, M.Dubov, C.Mou, L.Zhang, V.K.Mezentsev, and Ian Bennion “Line-by-Line Fiber Bragg Grating Made by Femtosecond Laser” IEEE Phot. Tech. Lett., VOL. 22, NO. 16, AUGUST 15, 2010
- Geernaert, K.Kalli, C.Koutsides, M.Komodromos, T.Nasilowski, W.Urbanczyk, J.Wojcik, F.Berghmans, and H.Thienpont, “Point-by-point fiber Bragg grating inscription in free-standing step-index and photonic crystal fibers using near-IR femtosecond laser” Opt Lett. Vol. 35, No. 10, 1647 (2010)
- Chao Wang and Jianping Yao “Chirped Microwave Pulse Compression Using a Photonic Microwave Filter With a Nonlinear Phase Response” IEEE TMTT, VOL. 57, NO. 2, 496-504 (2009)
- W. James and R. P. Tatam, “Optical fibre long-period grating sensors: characteristics and application,” Meas. Sci. Technol. 14, R49–R61 (2003).
Instructor(s): Nikolaos STATHOPOULOS