Polymer PCF Bragg grating sensors based on poly(methyl methacrylate) and TOPAS cyclic olefin copolymer

Ian P. Johnson, David J. Webb, Kyriacos Kalli, Wu Yuan, Alessio Stefani, Kristian Nielsen, Henrik K. Rasmussen, Ole Bang

Research output: Chapter in Book/Published conference outputConference publication

Abstract

Fibre Bragg grating (FBG) sensors have been fabricated in polymer photonic crystal fibre (PCF). Results are presented using two different types of polymer optical fibre (POF); first multimode PCF with a core diameter of 50µm based on poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and second, endlessly single mode PCF with a core diameter of 6µm based on TOPAS cyclic olefin copolymer. Bragg grating inscription was achieved using a 30mW continuous wave 325nm helium cadmium laser. Both TOPAS and PMMA fibre have a large attenuation of around 1dB/cm in the 1550nm spectral region, limiting fibre lengths to no longer than 10cm. However, both have improved attenuation of under 10dB/m in the 800nm spectral region, thus allowing for fibre lengths to be much longer. The focus of current research is to utilise the increased fibre length, widening the range of sensor applications. The Bragg wavelength shift of a grating fabricated in PMMA fibre at 827nm has been monitored whilst the POF is thermally annealed at 80°C for 7 hours. The large length of POF enables real time monitoring of the grating, which demonstrates a permanent negative Bragg wavelength shift of 24nm during the 7 hours. This creates the possibility to manufacture multiplexed Bragg sensors in POF using a single phase mask in the UV inscription manufacturing. TOPAS holds certain advantages over PMMA including a much lower affinity for water, this should allow for the elimination of cross-sensitivity to humidity when monitoring temperature changes or axial strain, which is a significant concern when using PMMA fibre.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationOptical Sensors 2011; and Photonic Crystal Fibers V,
EditorsFrancesco Baldini, Jiri Homola, Robert A. Lieberman, Kyriacos Kalli
Place of PublicationBellingham, WA (US)
PublisherSPIE
Number of pages8
ISBN (Print)978-0-8194-8663-9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 11 May 2011
EventOptical Sensors 2011 and Photonic Crystal Fibers V - Prague, Czech Republic
Duration: 18 Apr 201120 Apr 2011

Publication series

NameSPIE Proceedings
PublisherSPIE
Volume8073
ISSN (Print)0277-786X
ISSN (Electronic)2410-9045

Conference

ConferenceOptical Sensors 2011 and Photonic Crystal Fibers V
Country/TerritoryCzech Republic
CityPrague
Period18/04/1120/04/11

Bibliographical note

Ian P. Johnson, David J. Webb, Kyriacos Kalli, Wu Yuan, Alessio Stefani, Kristian Nielsen, Henrik K. Rasmussen and Ole Bang, "Polymer PCF Bragg grating sensors based on poly(methyl methacrylate) and TOPAS cyclic olefin copolymer", Proc. SPIE 8073, 80732V (2011).

Copyright 2011 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers. One print or electronic copy may be made for personal use only. Systematic reproduction and distribution, duplication of any material in this paper for a fee or for commercial purposes, or modification of the content of the paper are prohibited.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1117/12.890090

Keywords

  • fibre Bragg grating sensors
  • polymer photonic crystal fibre
  • PCF
  • multimode
  • poly(methyl methacrylate)
  • single mode
  • TOPAS cyclic olefin copolymer
  • fibre length
  • sensor applications
  • Bragg wavelength shift
  • negative Bragg wavelength
  • affinity for water
  • humidity
  • temperature changes
  • axial strain

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