Abstract
Nanoparticle-doped optical fibers, investigated first as fiber lasers and fiber amplifiers, have gained tremendous interest over the past few years as fiber sensors. One of the main interests of such fibers relies on the ability to develop a distributed sensor, allowing real-time measurement with multiplexed architecture. To go beyond the actual proof of concept, we discuss in this perspective paper three main challenges to tackle: understanding light propagation in heterogeneous materials, controlling nanoparticle formation in glass, and engineering nanoparticle characteristics. Identified as the main directions to follow, they will contribute to promote nanoparticle-doped fiber sensors in the next few years.
Highlights
Nanoparticles in optical fibers were first reported in 1998 (Tick, 1998)
We have identified three main challenges to tackle related to the fabrication process
As this technology is based on backscattered light, it is important to understand the influence of the characteristics of nanoparticles on light scattering, on light backscattering
Summary
Nanoparticles in optical fibers were first reported in 1998 (Tick, 1998). At that time, such fibers were investigated to develop new fiber lasers and fiber amplifiers (Veber et al, 2019; Kasik et al, 2016). The motivation was to embed luminescent ions (e.g., rare earth or transition metal ions) within nanoparticles whose composition, different from the silica matrix, would allow obtaining new luminescent properties Based on this approach, proof of concepts were reported but with limited interest were compared to conventional (i.e., without nanoparticles) fiber lasers and fiber amplifiers. The preform, whose diameter is typically 1 cm, is drawn at a high temperature (2,000°C) into the optical fiber of 125 μm diameter Thanks to this process, nanoparticles are obtained directly in the fiber without additional post heat treatment which could be detrimental for the mechanical properties. We have identified three main challenges to tackle related to the fabrication process As this technology is based on backscattered light, it is important to understand the influence of the characteristics of nanoparticles (size, size distribution, density, and refractive index) on light scattering, on light backscattering. We will discuss two routes: the first one deals with the nucleation/ growth process and the second one is related to the drawing step
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