Abstract
The ability to shape the index profile of optical fibers holds the key to fully flexible engineering of their optical properties and future applications. We present a new approach for the development of a graded index fused silica fiber based on core nanostructurization. A graded index core is obtained by means of distribution of two types of subwavelength glass rods. The proposed method allows to obtain arbitrary graded distribution not limited to the circular or any other symmetry, such as in the standard graded index fibers. We have developed a proof of concept fiber with parabolic refractive index core and showed a perfect match between its predicted, designed and measured properties. The fiber has a core composed of 2107 rods of 190 nm of diameter made of either pure fused silica or Ge-doped fused silica with 8.5% mol concentration. The proposed method breaks the limits of standard fabrication approaches used in fused silica fiber technology.
Highlights
There is a constant need for new types of optical fibers, which ensure higher bandwidth for telecommunication, higher sensitivity for sensors –compared to existing solutions or mid-infrared transmission[1]
We report for the first time on the designing and fabrication of a single-mode fused silica fiber having a solid, homogeneous cladding and a nanostructured graded index core, in which a refractive index has been designed by a layout of stacked silica and Ge-doped silica rods, with a refractive index contrast of Δn = 12 × 10−3
We developed a proof-of-concept graded index fiber with nanostructured core based on fused silica glass
Summary
There is a constant need for new types of optical fibers, which ensure higher bandwidth for telecommunication, higher sensitivity for sensors –compared to existing solutions or mid-infrared transmission[1]. For fine grade fused silica fibers only MCVD techniques[13] can be applied In this fabrication processes, the diversity of materials and dopant levels of silica glass are very narrow and, in consequence, obtaining of arbitrary refractive index profile[14] is limited or impossible. The diversity of materials and dopant levels of silica glass are very narrow and, in consequence, obtaining of arbitrary refractive index profile[14] is limited or impossible Because of these technology limitations, the single-mode silica GRIN optical fibers have never been considered as a dispersion engineered medium for telecommunication, and the properties of such a fibers could not have been foreseen. Application area of silicate fibers is very limited since attenuation of silicate glasses is usually well above 5 dB/m
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