Optical Fiber Array Research Articles

Selenium semiconductor core optical fibers

Phosphate glass-clad optical fibers containing selenium (Se) semiconductor core were fabricated using a molten core method. The cores were found to be amorphous as evidenced by X-ray diffraction and corroborated by Micro-Raman spectrum. Elemental analysis across the core/clad interface suggests that there is some diffusion of about 3 wt % oxygen in the core region. Phosphate glass-clad crystalline selenium core optical fibers were obtained by a postdrawing annealing process. A two-cm-long crystalline selenium semiconductor core optical fibers, electrically contacted to external circuitry through the fiber end facets, exhibit a three times change in conductivity between dark and illuminated states. Such crystalline selenium semiconductor core optical fibers have promising utility in optical switch and photoconductivity of optical fiber array.

Development of an artificial neural network for source localization using a fiber optic acoustic emission sensor array

An intelligent algorithm was developed based on backpropagation artificial neural network for the acoustic emission source localization. The established and trained methods of the algorithm were stated with the time difference of arrival detected by a fiber optic acoustic emission sensor array and the coordinates of acoustic emission source. The response characteristic of fiber optic acoustic emission sensor was calibrated with the commercial piezoelectric ceramic transducer (PZT) acoustic emission sensor, which provided that the fiber optic acoustic emission sensor was better suited to detect the low frequency of stress wave than the PZT sensor. Four fiber optic acoustic emission sensors were deployed in a square array in an aluminum plate for comparisons between different algorithms of source localization. Comparison results of acoustic emission source location provided that the intelligent algorithm improved the accuracy by reducing the nonlinear errors. For the anisotropic materials, a sensor array deployed in a diamond pattern was adopted. The velocities of stress waves in orthogonal directions were measured as the basic performance for both algorithms of source localization. Four sensors were integrated into a carbon fiber–reinforced polymer plate as a perfect structure for locating the acoustic emission source impacting on its surface. The experiment results provide that the maximum error is only 6.3 mm using the intelligent algorithm.

基于LED调制和光纤阵列的多通道光纤法布里-珀罗传感解调系统研究

基于LED调制和光纤阵列的多通道光纤法布里-珀罗传感解调系统研究

Fiber-optic array using molecularly imprinted microspheres for antibiotic analysis.

In this article we describe a new class of high-density optical microarrays based on molecularly imprinted microsphere sensors that directly incorporate specific recognition capabilities to detect enrofloxacin (ENRO), an antibiotic widely used for both human and veterinary applications. This approach involves the preparation of highly cross-linked polymer microspheres by thermal precipitation-polymerization in the presence and absence of the target analyte ENRO to generate either molecularly imprinted (MIP) or non-imprinted polymer (NIP) microspheres, respectively. Each polymer type of tailor-made microsphere is fluorescently encoded with either coumarin-30 or tris(4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline)ruthenium(ii) dichloride [Ru(dip)3]Cl2 to enable the microspheres to be distinguished. The new MIP-based sensing platform utilizes an optical fiber bundle containing approximately 50 000 individual 3.1 μm diameter fibers that are chemically etched to create microwells in which MIP and NIP microspheres can be deposited and imaged using an epi-fluorescence microscope. The method enables multiplexed detection by independently addressing both types of beads through their separate light channels. The unique response to the presence of ENRO is manifested on the basis of a competitive immunoassay. A red-fluorescent dye-tagged ENRO, labeled with BODIPY® TR Cadaverine, competes with ENRO for specific binding sites. The developed immuno-like assay displayed a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.04 μM (10% binding inhibition) and a dynamic range of 0.29-21.54 μM (20-80% binding inhibition). The selectivity of the assay was evaluated by measuring the cross-reactivity of other fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, danofloxacin, and flumequine) and non-related antibiotics (penicillin G and doxycycline). This work demonstrates, for the first time, the applicability of MIPs, as an alternative to biomolecule receptors, for the development of multiplexed detection fiber-optic microarrays paving the way for a new generation of biomimetic sensors.

Compact and modular multicolour fluorescence detector for droplet microfluidics.

Multicolour fluorescence detection is often necessary in droplet microfluidics, but typical detection systems are complex, bulky, and expensive. We present a compact and modular detection system capable of sub-nanomolar sensitivity utilizing an optical fibre array to encode spectral information recorded by a single photodetector.

Manufacture of a 2D optical fiber array coupler with micrometer precision for laser radar applications

This article presents the manufacture of a 2D-fiber array coupler using UV-LIGA technology for the precise positioning of a two-dimensional (2D) optical fiber array. The precision of the alignment of the eight-by-eight fiber array was demonstrated to be less than 2 μm. The average concentricity error of the fibers to the positioning holes of the array coupler had a minimum and maximum error of 1.7 µm and 6.5 μm, respectively. The 2D fiber array coupler can fulfill the coupling and transmission requirements of 2D light spots for laser radar applications. The method developed here can easily be extended to the manufacture of larger arrays.

Multi-channel laser Doppler velocimetry using a two-dimensional optical fiber array for obtaining instantaneous velocity distribution characteristics

A laser Doppler velocimeter (LDV) has been developed that is capable of performing two-dimensional (2D) cross-sectional measurements. It employs two horizontal laser light sheets that intersect at an angle of 13.3°. Since the intersection region is thin, it can be used to approximately determine the 2D flow field. An 8 × 8 array of optical fibers is used to simultaneously measure Doppler frequencies at 64 points. Experiments were conducted to assess the performance of the LDV, and it was found to be capable of obtaining spatial and temporal velocity information at multiple points in a flow field. The technique is fast, noninvasive, and accurate over long sampling periods. Furthermore, its applicability to an actual flow field was confirmed by measuring the temporal velocity distribution of a pulsatile flow in a rectangular flow channel with an obstruction. The proposed device is thus a useful, compact optical instrument for conducting simultaneous 2D cross-sectional multipoint measurements.

Theoretical and experimental study of self-reference intensity-modulated plastic fibre optic linear array displacement sensor

A self-reference intensity-modulated plastic fibre optic displacement sensor of linear array configuration is presented in this paper. It consists of receivers categorised into two reference groups. The effect of the number of receivers in each reference group on the group and displacement ratio responses is investigated. Theoretical analysis, based on Gaussian beam model for multiple receivers at different offset distances, is presented. Simulation results that are based on the derived model are employed to study the ratio function for different reference groups. The predicted sensor performance, in terms of linear range and sensitivity, is verified by experiment. There is a very good agreement between the predicted and measured characteristics. The effects of the number of receivers in each reference group on linear operation range and sensitivity are compared and discussed. Both theoretical and experimental results show that the optimal linear array configuration is the (10,1) configuration. This configuration gives the best performance in terms of sensitivity and linear operational range and it is shown to have a linear sensitivity of 0.25mm−1 with non-linearity error of less than 2.0% (without additional nonlinear compensation) within a linear operation range of 15mm. In addition, the linear range of the optimal linear array (10,1) configuration is up to 10 times greater than existing plastic fibre configurations, and about 30 times greater than existing glass fibre configurations.

Heterodyne interrogation system for TDM interferometric fiber optic sensors array

We proposed an interrogation system for time sequenced fiber optic sensors array based on the heterodyne detection and orthogonal demodulation techniques, where the sensors array is a kind of interferometric fiber optic sensors. The techniques are theoretically analyzed and experimentally demonstrated with recovering the sinusoid wave and triangle wave applied to the sensors. The system has a phase resolution about 1×10−4rad/√Hz, the amplitude consistency and linearity of the demodulated results are 95.275% and 98.379%, respectively with single frequency event applied to the sensors.

Two-Dimensional, 37-Channel, High-Bandwidth, Ultra-Dense Silicon Photonics Optical Interface

We demonstrate a hexagonal, monolithic optical fiber array matched to 37 vertical grating couplers with 40-μm pitch for a silicon photonics optical interface with standard deviation of coupling across all channels of 0.7 dB.

Real‐time in vivo cancer diagnosis using raman spectroscopy

Raman spectroscopy has becoming a practical tool for rapid in vivo tissue diagnosis. This paper provides an overview on the latest development of real-time in vivo Raman systems for cancer detection. Instrumentation, data handling, as well as oncology applications of Raman techniques were covered. Optic fiber probes designs for Raman spectroscopy were discussed. Spectral data pre-processing, feature extraction, and classification between normal/benign and malignant tissues were surveyed. Applications of Raman techniques for clinical diagnosis for different types of cancers, including skin cancer, lung cancer, stomach cancer, oesophageal cancer, colorectal cancer, cervical cancer, and breast cancer, were summarized. Schematic of a real-time Raman spectrometer for skin cancer detection. Without correction, the image captured on CCD camera for a straight entrance slit has a curvature. By arranging the optic fiber array in reverse orientation, the curvature could be effectively corrected.

Fiber Optic Pressure Sensing Arrays for Monitoring Horizontal and Vertical Pressures Generated by Traveling Water Waves

Distributed pressure sensing arrays fabricated from fiber Bragg gratings have been demonstrated for real-time monitoring of the dynamic subsurface pressures beneath water waves in a wave tank. Two sensing arrays were used to monitor horizontal and vertical pressures in the tank as periodic wave trains passed overhead. The horizontal and vertical arrays contained 90 and 35 sensing elements, respectively, spaced at 1-cm intervals allowing highly accurate spatial resolution to be achieved in both orientations. The wave tank paddle was programmed to generate wave-trains varying from ~5 to 30-cm peak-to-trough and the pressures measured using the fiber optic array were validated using commercial piezo-electric pressure sensors and video image analysis. The length and sensor separation of the fiber optic sensing array can be varied to suit the location under test, and the fiber optic elements make the devices inherently resistant to corrosion and electromagnetic interference.

Response characterization of a fiber optic sensor array with dye-coated planar waveguide for detection of volatile organic compounds.

We have developed a multi-array side-polished optical-fiber gas sensor for the detection of volatile organic compound (VOC) gases. The side-polished optical-fiber coupled with a polymer planar waveguide (PWG) provides high sensitivity to alterations in refractive index. The PWG was fabricated by coating a solvatochromic dye with poly(vinylpyrrolidone). To confirm the effectiveness of the sensor, five different sensing membranes were fabricated by coating the side-polished optical-fiber using the solvatochromic dyes Reinhardt's dye, Nile red, 4-aminophthalimide, 4-amino-N-methylphthalimide, and 4-(dimethylamino)cinnamaldehyde, which have different polarities that cause changes in the effective refractive index of the sensing membrane owing to evanescent field coupling. The fabricated gas detection system was tested with five types of VOC gases, namely acetic acid, benzene, dimethylamine, ethanol, and toluene at concentrations of 1, 2,…,10 ppb. Second-regression and principal component analyses showed that the response properties of the proposed VOC gas sensor were linearly shifted bathochromically, and each gas showed different response characteristics.

SU-E-T-111: Development of Proton Dosimetry System Using Fiber-Optic Cerenkov Radiation Sensor Array

Purpose: We had developed and evaluated a new dosimetric system for proton therapy using array of fiber-optic Cerenkov radiation sensor (FOCRS) which can measure a percent depth dose (PDD) instantly. In this study, the Bragg peaks and spread out Bragg peak (SOBP) of the proton beams measured by FOCRS array were compared with those measured by an ion chamber. Methods & Method: We fabricated an optical fiber array of FOCRS in a handmade phantom which is composed of poly-methyl methacrylate (PMMA). There are 75 holes of 1mm diameter inside the phantom which is designed to be exposed in direction of beam when it is emerged in water phantom. The proton beam irradiation was carried out using IBA cyclotron PROTEUS 235 at national cancer center in Korea and a commercial data acquisition system was used to digitize the analog signal. Results: The measured Bragg peak and SOBP for the proton ranges of 7∼ 20 cm were well matched with the result from ion chamber. The comparison results show that the depth of proton beam ranges and the width of SOBP measured by array of FOCRS are comparable with the measurement from multi-layer ion chamber (MLIC) although there are some uncertainty in the measurement of FOCRS array for some specific beam ranges. Conclusion: The newly developed FOCRS array based dosimetric system for proton therapy can efficiently reduce the time and effort needed for proton beam range measurement compared to the conventional method and has the potential to be used for the proton pencil beam application.

Integration of Fiber-Optic Sensor Arrays into a Multi-Modal Tactile Sensor Processing System for Robotic End-Effectors

With the increasing complexity of robotic missions and the development towards long-term autonomous systems, the need for multi-modal sensing of the environment increases. Until now, the use of tactile sensor systems has been mostly based on sensing one modality of forces in the robotic end-effector. The use of a multi-modal tactile sensory system is motivated, which combines static and dynamic force sensor arrays together with an absolute force measurement system. This publication is focused on the development of a compact sensor interface for a fiber-optic sensor array, as optic measurement principles tend to have a bulky interface. Mechanical, electrical and software approaches are combined to realize an integrated structure that provides decentralized data pre-processing of the tactile measurements. Local behaviors are implemented using this setup to show the effectiveness of this approach.

Instrumentation Design of a High-Speed Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscope Tailored to High-Throughput Screening for Drug Discovery

Fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) is a powerful imaging modality that can provide unique information related to the biological microenvironment of a sample. For instance, when applied to quantifying Förster resonant energy transfer (FRET), the decay characteristics of the fluorescence can be indicative of the degree of protein-protein interaction occurring at a subcellular level. There is a clear interest at the drug discovery level to harness the potential of FLIM-FRET and other FLIM techniques to better characterize and understand the mechanisms of their drug leads.To properly test and isolate the effectiveness of drug leads under varied conditions and doses, the drug discovery process uses high-content screening (HCS) microscopes to image 100,000 samples per day. FLIM techniques have so far been unable to provide a suitable combination of acquisition speed and resolution to fill this demand. Widefield FLIM techniques suffer from out-of-focus light, which is especially detrimental to fitting the lifetimes of fluorescence decays. Typical raster-scanning confocal approaches can offer excellent spatial and temporal resolution with a photomultiplier tube as a single-point detector, but are inherently slow to collect a full FLIM image.We are designing a system to meet these HCS requirements by combining a multiplexed raster scanning approach with a streak camera and high-speed readout camera. In a streak camera, photons incident on the entrance slit are focused to a photocathode. The photoelectrons generated at the photocathode are accelerated through a vacuum tube, across a perpendicular time-varying electric field, which can deflect the electrons to the left or right based on their arrival time. The resulting readout would consist of a spatial axis and a temporal axis. The slit of a streak camera is an excellent method of multiplexing the fluorescence lifetime capture along its spatial axis. Our streak camera (Optronis SC-10) can be filled with up to 100 resolvable optical fiber channels.A lenslet array is used to generate 10x10 focal points on the sample, which can then be scanned over the sample with an x-y galvo system. Given sufficient excitation power, this offers a 100x improvement on acquisition speed. The galvo scanner also provides a descan of the fluorescent signals on the return path, such that the fluorescence signals can be focused into a fixed 2-dimensional optical fiber array. To accommodate the streak camera slit, the 100 fiber channels are rearranged from 10x10 to 1x100.We will discuss the current performance of the system, and the potential improvements for each component to get closer to the required acquisition speed. In particular, there is interest in investigating the use of solid-state devices to replace the streak camera. Single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) arrays are an emerging technology that could greatly simplify the instrumentation, reduce the acquisition time, and improve the light collection efficiency. There are also potential improvements in frame rate and light economy concerning our excitation sources, optics and readout camera.

40 Gb/s optical subassembly module for a multi-channel bidirectional optical link

A 40 Gb/s bidirectional optical link using four-channel optical subassembly (OSA) modules and two different wavelengths for the up- and down-link is demonstrated. Widely separated wavelengths of 850 nm and 1060 nm are used to reduce the optical crosstalk between the up- and down-link signals. Due to the integration capabilities of silicon, the OSA is implemented, all based on silicon: V-grooved silicon substrates to embed fibers and silicon optical benches (SiOBs) to mount optical components. The SiOBs are separately prepared for array chips of photodiodes (PDs), vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs), and monitoring PDs, which are serially configured on an optical fiber array for direct coupling to the transmission fibers. The separation of the up- and down-link wavelengths is implemented using a wavelength-filtering 45° mirror which is formed in the fiber under the VCSEL. To guide the light signal to the PD another 45° mirror is formed at the end of the fiber. The fabricated bidirectional OSA module shows good performances with a clear eye-diagram and a BER of less than 10(-12) at a data rate of 10 Gb/s for each of the channels with input powers of -8 dBm and -6.5 dBm for the up-link and the down-link, respectively. The measured inter-channel crosstalk of the bidirectional 40 Gb/s optical link is about -22.6 dB, while the full-duplex operation mode demonstrates negligible crosstalk between the up- and down-link.

4通道交叉型二氧化硅光波导延迟线阵列的设计与制备

In this paper,an integrated 4-channels silica optical waveguide delay line array with low cost and low propagation loss was designed and manufactured. BPM software was selected to simulate the associated pa-rameters,including Y splitter and bend loss. In order to reduce the device size and insertion loss,the smallest bending radius of the delay line was selected to be 1 500 μm. And the structure of optimizing gradient Y splitter and right angle intersecting waveguide were optimized. The cross waveguide delay line device was manufactured by standard semiconductor manufacturing processes. The output infrared pattern was obtained. The delay time of each channel was 0 ps,113 ps,226 ps and 339 ps,respectively. The 4-channels silica waveguide delay line device can achieve an equal interval of delay time between the adjacent channels. It can be integrated with itself for several times to increase delay time. The output waveguide of the device can be integrated with the optical fiber array at the same time.

EP-1454: Development of a proton beam dosimetry system using optical fiber array for the instant measurement of PDD curves

EP-1454: Development of a proton beam dosimetry system using optical fiber array for the instant measurement of PDD curves

Measuring Particle Positions in Micro Channel with Multifiber Array

This paper proposes position measurement of particles in micro channels fabricated on a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) chip using a two-layer plastic optical fiber (POF) array. Particle positions are measured by irradiating the POF array with laser light and measuring the decrease in POF output power posed by the presence of the particle. Our proposed sensor provides three dimensional measurements in the micro channel along the directions of the length, depth and the width. We demonstrate that plural particles of different diameters can be measured with our proposed sensor in which two layers of POF are vertically aligned or shifted along the flow direction. The effects of optical misalignment of POF array with respect to the measurement are theoretically and experimentally evaluated.