Before the 1960s, all anti-Stokes emissions, which were known to exist, involved emission energies in excess of excitation energies by only a few kT. They were linked to thermal population of energy states above excitation states by such an energy amount. It was the well-known case of anti-Stokes emission for the so-called thermal bands or in the Raman effect for the well-known anti-Stokes sidebands. Thermoluminescence, where traps are emptied by excitation energies of the order of kT, also constituted a field of anti-Stokes emission of its own. Superexcitation, i.e., raising an already excited electron to an even higher level by excited-state absorption (ESA), was also known but with very weak emissions. These types of well-known anti-Stokes processes have been reviewed in classical textbooks on luminescence.1 All fluorescence light emitters usually follow the well-known principle of the Stokes law which simply states that excitation photons are at a higher energy than emitted ones or, in other words, that output photon energy is weaker than input photon energy. This, in a sense, is an indirect statement that efficiency cannot be larger than 1. This principle is

Upconversion and Anti-Stokes Processes with f and d Ions in Solids

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

The historical beginnings of photosensitivity and fiber Bragg grating (FBG) technology are recounted. The basic techniques for fiber grating fabrication, their characteristics, and the fundamental properties of fiber gratings are described. The many applications of fiber grating technology are tabulated, and some selected applications are briefly described.

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Fiber Bragg grating technology fundamentals and overview

Recent startling interest for lanthanide luminescence is stimulated by the continuously expanding need for luminescent materials meeting the stringent requirements of telecommunication, lighting, electroluminescent devices, (bio-)analytical sensors and bio-imaging set-ups. This critical review describes the latest developments in (i) the sensitization of near-infrared luminescence, (ii) “soft” luminescent materials (liquid crystals, ionic liquids, ionogels), (iii) electroluminescent materials for organic light emitting diodes, with emphasis on white light generation, and (iv) applications in luminescent bio-sensing and bio-imaging based on time-resolved detection and multiphoton excitation (500 references).

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Lanthanide luminescence for functional materials and bio-sciences

We present the science and technology roadmap for graphene, related two-dimensional crystals, and hybrid systems, targeting an evolution in technology, that might lead to impacts and benefits reaching into most areas of society. This roadmap was developed within the framework of the European Graphene Flagship and outlines the main targets and research areas as best understood at the start of this ambitious project. We provide an overview of the key aspects of graphene and related materials (GRMs), ranging from fundamental research challenges to a variety of applications in a large number of sectors, highlighting the steps necessary to take GRMs from a state of raw potential to a point where they might revolutionize multiple industries. We also define an extensive list of acronyms in an effort to standardize the nomenclature in this emerging field.

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Science and technology roadmap for graphene, related two-dimensional crystals, and hybrid systems

A novel, temperature-independent strain sensor is demonstrated using a chirped fibre grating in a tapered optical fibre. The effective bandwidth of the grating is uniquely dependent on strain and is essentially temperature-independent. The interrogation simply involves monitoring the back-reflected intensity from the grating. A strain resolution of 0.1% over a strain measurement range of 4066 mu epsilon has been experimentally achieved. >

Temperature-independent strain sensor using a chirped Bragg grating in a tapered optical fibre

A new technique for the interrogation of in-fibre Bragg grating sensors using an acousto-optic tunable filter (AOTF) is demonstrated. The scheme involves frequency shift keying (FSK) of the RF drive to the AOTF to track the wavelength shifts of a Bragg grating. Experimental results are presented for temperature measurement. This technique provides a frequency-agile system, capable of rapid, random access and very wide tuning range.

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Novel interrogating system for fibre Bragg grating sensors using an acousto-optic tunable filter

By choosing pump wavelengths at which excited state absorption does not occur, efficient high gain operation of erbium-doped fibre amplifiers is possible. Practical pump wavelengths of 532nm and 980nm are identified as optimal, giving gains as high as 1.35 dB/mW and 2.2 dB/mW of pump at the two wavelengths, respectively.

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Efficient pump wavelengths of erbium-doped fibre optical amplifier

A new technique has enabled us to resolve the strong UV absorption spectrum in W-exposed germanosilicate preforms. Our results show, for the first time to our knowledge, that the large photoinduced absorption changes between 165 and 300 nm (~700 dB/mm at 195 nm has been observed) can account for ~3 x 10-4 of index change at 1.5 µm. The thermal-annealing dynamics of the photoinduced absorption changes also resemble those of fiber gratings, evidence that the color-center model of photosensitivity plays an important role in the photoinduced index changes in UV-written fiber gratings. We also find that the photoinduced absorption changes depend linearly on germania (i.e., germanium dioxide) concentrations in the preforms, and their exposure-time dependence can be fitted with a stretched-exponential function.

Photoinduced absorption change in germanosilicate preforms: evidence for the color-center model of photosensitivity

For the first time the production of Bragg fibre gratings written by single excimer laser pulses as the fibre is being drawn is demonstrated. Reflectivities approaching 100% have been obtained, demonstrating the feasibility of online mass production.

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Laurence Reekie

Papers

Temperature-independent strain sensor using a chirped Bragg grating in a tapered optical fibre

Novel interrogating system for fibre Bragg grating sensors using an acousto-optic tunable filter

Efficient pump wavelengths of erbium-doped fibre optical amplifier

Photoinduced absorption change in germanosilicate preforms: evidence for the color-center model of photosensitivity

Single pulse Bragg gratings written during fibre drawing