Etching process related changes and effects on solid-core single-mode polymer optical fiber grating

Authors

Kishore Bhowmik, University of New South Wales, National ICT Australia, NICTA
Gang-Ding Peng, University of New South Wales
Yanhua Luo, Donghua University, University of New South Wales
Eliathamby Ambikairajah, University of New South Wales, National ICT Australia, NICTA
Vedran Lovric, University of New South Wales
William R. Walsh, University of New South Wales
Ginu Rajan, University of WollongongFollow

RIS ID

106882

Publication Details

K. Bhowmik, G. Peng, Y. Luo, E. Ambikairajah, V. Lovric, W. R. Walsh & G. Rajan, "Etching process related changes and effects on solid-core single-mode polymer optical fiber grating," IEEE Photonics Journal, vol. 8, (1) pp. 2500109-1-2500109-10, 2016.

Abstract

Etching process related material and mechanical changes on solid-core single-mode polymer optical fiber (POF) and their influence on the characteristic properties of polymer fiber Bragg gratings (PFBGs) are studied. A poly(methyl methacrylate)-based POF is etched to different diameters, and it is experimentally demonstrated that etching can lead to a change in the Young's modulus of the fiber. It is found that etching process induced material changes of the polymer fiber can enhance the reflectivity and inherent sensitivity of PFBGs. It is demonstrated that gratings based on etched POF exhibit higher reflectivity with a shorter exposure time compared with unetched ones. Highest reflectivity of 98.54% is observed within 7 seconds of exposure for a diameter of 85 μm. The stability of fabricated Bragg gratings is also studied. By tailoring the etching diameter of POF, Bragg gratings with high sensitivity and high reflectivity can be fabricated.