Fundamentals of Optical Fiber Sensors

We present a novel and efficient approach to generating Bessel-like beams through fabricating self-growing polymer microtips at the facet of single-mode fibers. To produce these beams, the length and shape of microtips were precisely optimized. Specifically, the convex droplet height and its photopolymerization parameters feature prominently in Bessel-like beams via microtips. A wide conversion bandwidth of the microtips and self-healing properties of the produced Bessel-like beam were also investigated in detail. Our microtips provide an effective, low-cost, and ultra-compact way for Bessel-like beams generation.

Bessel-like beams generated via fiber-based polymer microtips.

The paper investigates the effect of thermo-optic switching resulting from the hybrid combination of a tapered optical fiber (TOF) with alkanes doped with nanoparticles of zinc sulfide doped with manganese (ZnS:Mn NP). Presented measurements focused on controlling losses in an optical fiber by modification of a TOF cladding by the alkanes used, characterized by phase change. Temperature changes cause power transmission changes creating a switcher or a sensor working in an ON-OFF mode. Phase change temperatures and changes in the refractive index of the alkane used directly affected power switching. Alkanes were doped with ZnS:Mn NPs to change the hysteresis observed between ON-OFF modes in pure alkanes. The addition of nanoparticles (NPs) reduces the difference between phase changes due to improved thermal conductivity and introduces extra nucleating agents. Results are presented in the wide optical range of 550–1200 nm. In this investigation, hexadecane and heptadecane were a new cladding for TOF. The higher alkanes were doped with ZnS: Mn NPs in an alkane volume of 1 wt.% and 5 wt.%. The thermo-optic effect can be applied to manufacture a thermo-optic switcher or a temperature threshold sensor.

https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/13/21/5044/pdf

Thermo-Optical Switching Effect Based on a Tapered Optical Fiber and Higher Alkanes Doped with ZnS:Mn.

Polymer microtips are 3D microstructures manufactured on the end face of an optical fiber by using the photopolymerization process. Such micro-optic elements made on a multi-mode optical fiber were previously tested as a transducer of refractive index sensor. These studies were an inspiration to investigate the possibility of using this type of transducer to measure the presence of volatile organic compounds in the air. The experimental results of microtips polymerized with UV and VIS were reported. It was possible to detect the presence of five different volatile compounds in the air due to the sensitivity of the transducer to the refractive indices changes. These changes were induced by the vapors condensed on the microtip surface. The measured time responses have shown that the return loss decreases rapidly as the microtip is inserted inside a glass vial filled with the tested compound. Moreover, correlations between calculated dynamic ranges and refractive indices and volumes of the volatile compounds inside the vials were negligible. Therefore, this type of sensor can be categorized as a condensed material threshold sensor. This sensor can be used in warning systems for monitoring leakages of pipelines carrying volatile chemicals.

/pdf/polymer-microtip-on-a-multimode-optical-fiber-as-a-threshold-1ixipzns.pdf

Polymer Microtip on a Multimode Optical Fiber as a Threshold Volatile Organic Compounds Sensor

The technology of polymer microtips’ manufacturing on the ends of selected multi-mode fibers has been reported. The study’s key element was an extended description of technology parameters’ influence on the shape of these 3D microstructures. Basic technology parameters such as spectral characteristics of the light source, monomer mixture type, optical power, and exposure time were taken under consideration. Depending on those parameters, different shapes, sizes, and surface structures of microtips were obtained. The spectral characteristics of the light and optical power delivered to a monomer drop were identified as the most important parameters for the formation of the desired 3D shape of the microtip. Presented experimental results are the base for further studies directed to the application of these micro-elements in the fields of optical measurements and sensors’ technology.

/pdf/technology-of-polymer-microtips-manufacturing-on-the-ends-of-udz9jtouq4.pdf

Technology of Polymer Microtips' Manufacturing on the Ends of Multi-Mode Optical Fibers.

The main aim of this paper is to present a geometry shaping of a polymer microtip manufactured on the end of different multi-mode optical fibers by using UV radiation. Used fabrication process is based on a photopolymerization where the microtip grows on one end of the optical fiber when light is launched to its other end. Two different types of the photopolymerizable mixtures and two typical multi-mode optical fibers with different core sizes and refractive index profiles were used for tested microtips. In order to assess their geometries scanning electron microscopy images were used. These images have showed that the influence on the microtip geometry has optical power and spectral characteristics of the UV light. The sensor’s transducer properties were evaluated on the basis of backscatter measurements when a refractive index of a surrounded medium of the microtip changes. Dynamic ranges of tested optical fibers with selected microtips have reached 25-28 dB for the gradient-index multi-mode optical fiber while for the step-index one were around 14 dB. Future research will be focused on increase of dynamic range for the sensor’s application and will be tested as micro-lens.

UV polymerized microtips on multimode optical fibers

This study presents the doping of higher alkanes, namely, pentadecane (C15) and hexadecane (C16), with ZnS:Mn nanoparticles to create new types of in-line optical fiber sensors with unique optical properties. In this research, the phenomenon of light beam leakage out of the taper and its interaction with the surrounding materials is described. The fabricated new materials are used as cladding in a tapered optical fiber to make it possible to control the optical light beam. The manufactured sensor shows high sensitivity and fast response to the change in the applied materials. Results are presented for a wide optical range of 1200-1700 nm with the use of a supercontinuum source and an optical spectrum analyzer, as well as for a single wavelength of 800 nm, corresponding to the highest transmitted power. The results present a change in the optical property dependence on the temperature in the cooling and heating process. For all materials, the measurements in a climatic chamber are provided between 0 and 40 °C, corresponding to the phase change of the alkanes from solid to liquid. The addition of nanoparticles to the volume of alkanes is equal to 1 wt%. To avoid a conglomeration of nanoparticles, the anti-agglomeration material, Brij 78 P, is used.

Modification of Higher Alkanes by Nanoparticles to Control Light Propagation in Tapered Fibers

Presented article shows the effect of using ZnS:Mn nanoparticles in the solution of higher alkanes on the light wave propagation in a biconical, adiabatic optical fiber taper. The used mixture of alkanes with nanoparticles forms a special cladding surrounding a fiber taper. Described studies show change of beam intensity depending on mixture temperature and its state of aggregation. Tests were carried out in a wide spectral range from the visible up to infrared wavelengths. The taper was made of a standard single-mode telecom fiber, pulled out to a length of 20.0 ± 0.5 mm and the diameter of the taper waist is 14.0 ± 0.2 μm. Such taper causes the beam to leak out of a waist structure and allows to add an external beam-controlling cladding material. The built-in sensor containing nanoparticles operates on the on-off principle. Nanoparticles added to the alkanes cause increase of hysteresis in a heating and cooling process. Such mixture makes also a significant shift of temperature characteristic in a heating process in which mixture change their physical state with a simultaneous slight shifting of the characteristics during cooling. Depending on the source used, weakening or amplification of the signal was obtained after switching to the liquid state.

Optical fiber taper sensor with a nanoparticles' mixture cladding

Photopolymerization process is present in the optical fiber technology since its beginning. Organic coatings preventing degradation of an optical fiber was the most important implementation of this process which ensured its practical industry application in telecommunication. However, this process can be implemented to design specialty transducers related to both optical and chemical sensors, as well. Simple optical transducer can be a microtip being an extinction of the optical fiber core as a polymer microelement. A chemical transducer can be a thin polymer layer manufactured on the tapered part of optical fiber. The second type of transducer can be applied to chromatography measurements as a solid phase microextraction fiber. In the paper, technology of the tapered optical fiber and photopolymer sensing layer formations were described. In the first step a standard heat and pull technique was used to taper an optical fiber which, then, was cleaved in two symmetric pieces. Light was launched to such a single element and output optical power from tapered part of the fiber was measured to optimize the photopolymerization process. Placing this element in a photopolymerizable monomer mixture and using a specially selected holder allow for manufacturing a polymer sorption layer applicable as a solid phase microextraction fiber. Extended description of technology of this chemical transducer type and preliminary experimental results displaying its feasibility were presented.

Iwona Jakubowska

Papers

UV polymerized microtips on multimode optical fibers

Technology of Polymer Microtips' Manufacturing on the Ends of Multi-Mode Optical Fibers.

Modification of Higher Alkanes by Nanoparticles to Control Light Propagation in Tapered Fibers

Optical fiber taper sensor with a nanoparticles' mixture cladding

Photopolymer coating of tapered optical fiber for chemical sensors