We review the recent developments in the area of optical fiber grating sensors, including quasi-distributed strain sensing using Bragg gratings, systems based on chirped gratings, intragrating sensing concepts, long period-based grating sensors, fiber grating laser-based systems, and interferometric sensor systems based on grating reflectors.

Fiber grating sensors

Ferroelectric, dielectric and piezoelectric properties of ferroelectric thin films and ceramics are reviewed with the aim of providing an insight into different processes which may affect the behaviour of ferroelectric devices, such as ferroelectric memories and micro-electro-mechanical systems. Taking into consideration recent advances in this field, topics such as polarization switching, polarization fatigue, effects of defects, depletion layers, and depolarization fields on hysteresis loop behaviour, and contributions of domain-wall displacement to dielectric and piezoelectric properties are discussed. An introduction into dielectric, pyroelectric, piezoelectric and elastic properties of ferroelectric materials, symmetry considerations, coupling of electro-mechanical and thermal properties, and definitions of relevant ferroelectric phenomena are provided.

https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/0034-4885/61/9/002/pdf

Ferroelectric, dielectric and piezoelectric properties of ferroelectric thin films and ceramics

Recent research on fibre optic long-period gratings (LPGs) is reviewed with emphasis placed upon the characteristics of LPGs that make them attractive for applications in sensing strain, temperature, bend radius and external index of refraction. The prospect of the development of multi-parameter sensors, capable of simultaneously monitoring a number of these measurands will be discussed.

https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/0957-0233/14/5/201/pdf

Optical fibre long-period grating sensors: characteristics and application

Since the discovery of photosensitivity in optical fibers there has been great interest in the fabrication of Bragg gratings within the core of a fiber. The ability to inscribe intracore Bragg gratings in these photosensitive fibers has revolutionized the field of telecommunications and optical fiber based sensor technology. Over the last few years, the number of researchers investigating fundamental, as well as application aspects of these gratings has increased dramatically. This article reviews the technology of Bragg gratings in optical fibers. It introduces the phenomenon of photosensitivity in optical fibers, examines the properties of Bragg gratings, and presents some of the important developments in devices and applications. The most common fabrication techniques (interferometric, phase mask, and point by point) are examined in detail with reference to the advantages and the disadvantages in utilizing them for inscribing Bragg gratings. Reflectivity, bandwidth, temperature, and strain sensitivity of the Bragg reflectors are examined and novel and special Bragg grating structures such as chirped gratings, blazed gratings, phase-shifted gratings, and superimposed multiple gratings are discussed. A formalism for calculating the spectral response of Bragg grating structures is described. Finally, devices and applications for telecommunication and fiber-optic sensors are described, and the impact of this technology on the future of the above areas is discussed.

Fiber Bragg gratings

In-service structural health monitoring (SHM) of engineering structures has assumed a significant role in assessing their safety and integrity. Fibre Bragg grating (FBG) sensors have emerged as a reliable, in situ, non-destructive tool for monitoring, diagnostics and control in civil structures. The versatility of FBG sensors represents a key advantage over other technologies in the structural sensing field. In this article, the recent research and development activities in structural health monitoring using FBG sensors have been critically reviewed, highlighting the areas where further work is needed. A few packaging schemes for FBG strain sensors are also discussed. Finally a few limitations and market barriers associated with the use of these sensors have been addressed.

Fibre Bragg gratings in structural health monitoring—Present status and applications

Keywords: [OFD] Reference LOA-CONF-1995-004View record in Web of Science Record created on 2009-07-20, modified on 2017-05-10

Piezoelectric fiber optic modulators and microtubes

A first out-coupled light spot is produced on a first detector surface, from a first region of varying refractive index formed in an optical waveguide. A second out-coupled light spot is produced on a second detector surface different than the first, from a second region of varying refractive index formed in the waveguide. The light spots are produced in response to a forward propagating communications signal in the waveguide. A signal from the first surface is compared to a signal from the second surface, and this comparison is used to discriminate between a wavelength shift and a change in power in the communication signal. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Monitoring wavelength and power in an optical communications signal

applications from full-color displays, in spectroscopy, in optical metrology, for biomedical applications or in the field offluorescence microscopy. Visible up-conversion fiber lasers represent a promising solution for light sources with multi-wavelength emission in the visible range with intrinsic single transverse mode operation. Fiber lasers working in the

An all-fiber Pr/Yb-doped up-conversion laser in different laser operation modes

Basic components and devices for optical fiber sensor and telecommunication networks should exhibit survival times of 20 to 40 years. Fiber gratings are important basic devices for such networks. This demands good thermal and mechanical reliability of the grating itself. However, as it will be shown in this paper, both reliability aspects depend strongly on factors like grating fabrication conditions, the fiber used, a possible photosensitization process, etc. The thermal stability of fiber gratings is strongly linked to the fiber, its co-dopants and possible photosensitization by hydrogen loading. Determining the electron distribution of the involved defects can assess the reliability. To a first approximation the decay is determined by the decay frequency v 0 . Good thermal stability over 25 years at 40 °C can be predicted for germanosilicate fibers if the gratings are annealed for 110 hours at T≈120 °C. Higher operating temperatures demand higher annealing temperatures for reasonable annealing times and do need therefore special protections like polyimide coatings. The mechanical breaking strength of fiber gratings is related to the grating fabrication process and fiber preparation. For telecommunication applications, gratings are in general fabricated off-line. In this case, careful chemical fiber stripping and handling is needed. When gratings are written using pulsed KrF excimer laser irradiation a considerable mechanical degradation is observed, which depends on the irradiation conditions. In contrary, frequency doubled CW-Ar + laser irradiation almost preserves the median breaking stress. Gratings fabricated by one single laser shot or written through the fiber coating show almost no degradation. However, due to their low reflectivity the use of single shot gratings is mostly restricted to sensor applications. The fabrication of grating devices by irradiation through the coating is still limited to index modulations of 10 -4 due to coating degradation.

Advances in fiber gratings: technology, applications, and reliability

An efficient fibre-based Raman laser was developed on the basis of a phosphosilicate optical fibre with low optical losses. Bragg fibre gratings, constituting the laser cavity, were formed directly in the active fibre. The parameters, mathematical modelling, and optimisation of the laser were investigated. As a result of the optimisation, the output power reached 2.4 W for pumping with radiation from a neodymium fibre-based laser with a power of 3.5 W, which corresponds to a 77% quantum efficiency of the Raman laser.

Hans G. Limberger

Papers

Piezoelectric fiber optic modulators and microtubes

Monitoring wavelength and power in an optical communications signal

An all-fiber Pr/Yb-doped up-conversion laser in different laser operation modes

Advances in fiber gratings: technology, applications, and reliability

Continuous-wave highly efficient phosphosilicate fibre-based Raman laser (λ = 1.24 μm)