Spectral behavior of thin film coated cascaded tapered long period gratings in multiple configurations

Optimal design and fabrication of multichannel helical long-period fiber gratings based on phase-only sampling method

In this study, a novel and efficient method enabling fabrication of a multichannel helical long-period fiber grating (HLPG) with almost the same channel spacing and the same rejection depth has been proposed and demonstrated for the first time both theoretically and experimentally, which is realized based on utilization of the so-called phase-only sampling technique. Unlike the previous amplitude-type sampling method where either a strong rectangular-type or a Sinc-like index-modulation distribution is generally demanded, the proposed method requires the minimum as well as a uniform index-modulation to the designed multichannel gratings, which considerably facilitates the fabrication process and makes the multichannel HLPGs to be fabricated in even a conventional single-mode fiber (SMF) by using the CO₂ laser writing technique. As examples, a 3-channel and a 9-channel HLPGs have been successfully demonstrated numerically and experimentally. The experimental results agree with the designed ones, which represents the first realization of a multichannel HLPG, to the best of our knowledge. It is believed that the proposed multichannel HLPG could find potential applications to multi-wavelength orbit-angular-momentum (OAM) mode converter as well as the wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) sensors.

Arc-Induced Long Period Gratings from Standard to Polarization-Maintaining and Photonic Crystal Fibers

In this work, we report about our recent results concerning the fabrication of Long Period Grating (LPG) sensors in several optical fibers, through the Electric Arc Discharge (EAD) technique. In particular, the following silica fibers with both different dopants and geometrical structures are considered: standard Ge-doped, photosensitive B/Ge codoped, P-doped, pure-silica core with F-doped cladding, Panda type Polarization-maintaining, and Hollow core Photonic crystal fiber. An adaptive platform was developed and the appropriate “recipe” was identified for each fiber, in terms of both arc discharge parameters and setup arrangement, for manufacturing LPGs with strong and narrow attenuation bands, low insertion losses, and short length. As the fabricated devices have appealing features from the application point of view, the sensitivity characteristics towards changes in different external perturbations (i.e., surrounding refractive index, temperature, and strain) are investigated and compared, highlighting the effects of different fiber composition and structure.

Phase-shifted helical long-period fiber grating and its characterization by using the microscopic imaging method

We demonstrate a simple and robust method to write a phase-shifted helical long-period fiber grating (HLPG), where an equivalent phase-shift is formed by changing the local period of the grating during the fabrication process. Furthermore, we propose and demonstrate a simple method to characterize the phase-shift formed in a HLPG, which is realized by directly analyzing the imaging pattern of the fabricated HLPG using a stereo microscope under a white light illumination. Unlike the previous methods which are indirectly realized either by measuring the transmission spectrum of the fabricated HLPG or by analyzing the differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopic images of the fabricated HLPG, the proposed method can be used to well estimate the grating period as well as the phase-shift inserted in the HLPG in situ, which could considerably facilitate the fabrication technique of the HLPG by using CO₂ laser.

Phase-shift formed in a long period fiber grating and its application to the measurements of temperature and refractive index

A novel approach to calibrate a phase-shift formed in a long-period fiber grating (LPG) is firstly proposed and numerically demonstrated, which is based on the use of either intensity- or wavelength-interrogation technique to the main loss-peak of the phase-shift LPG in the spectrum. Moreover, by using a CO₂ laser with high-repetition-rate pulses emission, an equivalent phase-shift is successfully created at middle of the LPG. As an application of the proposed calibration scheme, measurement for the temperature and the refractive index of the ambient solution has been proposed and successfully demonstrated by using a phase-shifted LPG.

Long-period grating and its cascaded counterpart in photonic crystal fiber for gas phase measurement

Regular and cascaded long period gratings (LPG, C-LPG) of periods ranging from 460 to 590 μm were inscribed in an endlessly single mode photonic crystal fiber (PCF) using CO(2) laser for sensing measurements of helium, argon and acetylene. High index sensitivities in excess of 1700 nm/RIU were achieved in both grating schemes with a period of 460 μm. The sharp interference fringes in the transmission spectrum of C-PCF-LPG afforded not only greatly enhanced sensing resolution, but also accuracy when the phase-shift of the fringe pattern is determined through spectral processing. Comparative numerical and experimental studies indicated LP(01) to LP(03) mode coupling as the principal coupling step for both PCF-LPG and C-PCF-LPG with emergence of multi-mode coupling at shorter grating periods or longer resonance wavelengths.

Temperature sensor based on an isopropanol-sealed photonic crystal fiber in-line interferometer with enhanced refractive index sensitivity

We fabricate a simple, compact, and stable temperature sensor based on a liquid-sealed photonic crystal fiber (PCF) in-line nonpolarimetric modal interferometer. Different from other reported PCF devices, it does not need expensive polarimetric devices, and the liquid is sealed in one fiber. The device consists of a stub of isopropanol-filled PCF spliced between standard single-mode fibers. The temperature sensitivity (-166 pm/°C) increases over an order of magnitude compared with those of the previous sensors based on air-sealed PCF interferometers built via fusion splicing with the same mechanism. In addition, the refractive index sensitivity also increases. Higher temperature sensitivity can be realized by infiltrating some liquid having a higher thermo-optic coefficient into the microholes of the PCF.

A protein-based biointerfacing route toward label-free immunoassays with long period gratings in transition mode

We present a fast and effective method for anchoring bioreceptors to optical waveguides exhibiting a poorly reactive polymer interface and that have to be minimally perturbed with respect to their design. The study originated from the need to biofunctionalize a fiber optic Long Period Grating (LPG) that is tuned in a highly sensitive working point, the so-called transition mode, through the deposition of a high refractive index overlay. In particular, a thin film of atactic polystyrene (PS) was dip-coated onto the LPG with a thickness suitable to optimize the LPG sensitivity to refractive index changes of the surrounding medium. Bovine serum albumin was selected as sacrificial layer for its well-known adhesion capabilities to PS surfaces, then glutaraldehyde was used to conjugate IgGs, serving as prototypical bioreceptor, on the device surface. The effectiveness of the immobilization method was assessed by studying the interaction between the immobilized IgG with a suitable anti-IgG. In a preliminary study performed by means of ELISA and surface plasmon resonance, optimal conditions for the biomolecular testing with the LPG were assessed. Four distinct interactions were thus monitored in real time following the shift of the LPG attenuation band. These experiments suggest a novel and interesting biofunctionalization approach of unreactive polymers with applications in immunosensing and basic life science research.

Transition mode long period grating biosensor with functional multilayer coatings

We report our latest research results concerning the development of a platform for label-free biosensing based on overlayered Long Period Gratings (LPGs) working in transition mode. The main novelty of this work lies in a multilayer design that allows to decouple the problem of an efficient surface functionalization from that of the tuning in transition region of the cladding modes. An innovative solvent/nonsolvent strategy for the dip-coating technique was developed in order to deposit on the LPG multiple layers of transparent polymers. In particular, a primary coating of atactic polystyrene was used as high refractive index layer to tune the working point of the device in the so-called transition region. In this way, state-of-the-art-competitive sensitivity to surrounding medium refractive index changes was achieved. An extremely thin secondary functional layer of poly(methyl methacrylate-co-methacrylic acid) was deposited onto the primary coating by means of an original identification of selective solvents. This approach allowed to obtain desired functional groups (carboxyls) on the surface of the device for a stable covalent attachment of bioreceptors and minimal perturbation of the optical design. Standard 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide / N-hydrosuccinimide (EDC / NHS) coupling chemistry was used to link streptavidin on the surface of the coated LPG. Highly sensitive real-time monitoring of multiple affinity assays between streptavidin and biotinylated bovine serum albumin was performed by following the shift of the LPGs attenuation bands.

Resonances in coated long period fiber gratings and cladding removed multimode optical fibers: a comparative study

Two optical fiber devices have been coated in parallel: a long period fiber grating (LPFG) and a cladding-removed multimode optical fiber (CRMOF). The progressive coating of the LPFG by means of the layer-by-layer electrostatic-self-assembly, permits to observe a resonance wavelength shift of the attenuation bands in the transmission spectrum. The cause of this wavelength shift is the reorganization of the cladding mode effective indices. The cause of this modal reorganization can be understood with the results observed in the CRMOF coated in parallel. A lossy-mode-resonance (LMR) is generated in the same wavelength range of the LPFG attenuation bands analyzed. Moreover, the thickness range where the wavelength shift of the LPFG attenuation bands occurs coincides exactly with the thickness range where the LMR can be visualized in the transmission spectrum. These phenomena are analyzed theoretically and corroborated experimentally. The advantages and disadvantages of both optical fiber devices are explained.

Molecular sensing by nanoporous crystalline polymers

Chemical sensors are generally based on the integration of suitable sensitive layers and transducing mechanisms. Although inorganic porous materials can be effective, there is significant interest in the use of polymeric materials because of their easy fabrication process, lower costs and mechanical flexibility. However, porous polymeric absorbents are generally amorphous and hence present poor molecular selectivity and undesired changes of mechanical properties as a consequence of large analyte uptake. In this contribution the structure, properties and some possible applications of sensing polymeric films based on nanoporous crystalline phases, which exhibit all identical nanopores, will be reviewed. The main advantages of crystalline nanoporous polymeric materials with respect to their amorphous counterparts are, besides a higher selectivity, the ability to maintain their physical state as well as geometry, even after large guest uptake (up to 10-15 wt%), and the possibility to control guest diffusivity by controlling the orientation of the host polymeric crystalline phase. The final section of the review also describes the ability of suitable polymeric films to act as chirality sensors, i.e., to sense and memorize the presence of non-racemic volatile organic compounds.

Long period grating working in transition mode as promising technological platform for label-free biosensing

We present the development of a platform for label-free biosensing based on overlayered Long Period Gratings (LPGs) working in transition mode. Nano-scale layers of Polystyrene (PS) with different thicknesses were deposited onto the same LPG to test the performances of the device in different working points of its modified sensitivity characteristic. Adsorption dynamic of biotinylated bovine serum albumin (BBSA) onto the PS overlays was on-line monitored as well as a subsequent streptavidin (SA) binding dynamic on the biotinylated sites of the protein ad-layer. Experimental results show that overlayered LPGs are among the most sensitive refractive index transducers to be employed in label-free biochemical detection and that wide margins of further optimization exist.

Refractometry based on a photonic crystal fiber interferometer

We report a simple and compact modal interferometer for applications in refractometry. The device consists of a stub of large-mode-area photonic crystal fiber (PCF) spliced between standard single-mode fibers. In the splice regions the voids of the PCF are fully collapsed, thus allowing the coupling and recombination of PCF core and cladding modes. The device is highly stable over time, has low temperature sensitivity, and is suitable for measuring indices in the 1.330-1.440 range. The measure of the refractive index is carried out by monitoring the shift of the interference pattern.