Large-core Plastic Optical Fiber Research Articles

Overcoming Challenges in Large-Core SI-POF-Based System-Level Modeling and Simulation

The application areas for plastic optical fibers such as in-building or aircraft networks usually have tight power budgets and require multiple passive components. In addition, advanced modulation formats are being considered for transmission over plastic optical fibers (POFs) to increase spectral efficiency. In this scenario, there is a clear need for a flexible and dynamic system-level simulation framework for POFs that includes models of light propagation in POFs and the components that are needed to evaluate the entire system performance. Until recently, commercial simulation software either was designed specifically for single-mode glass fibers or modeled individual guided modes in multimode fibers with considerable detail, which is not adequate for large-core POFs where there are millions of propagation modes, strong mode coupling and high variability. These are some of the many challenges involved in the modeling and simulation of POF-based systems. Here, we describe how we are addressing these challenges with models based on an intensity-vs-angle representation of the multimode signal rather than one that attempts to model all the modes in the fiber. Furthermore, we present model approaches for the individual components that comprise the POF-based system and how the models have been incorporated into system-level simulations, including the commercial software packages SimulinkTM and ModeSYSTM.

Modified optical fiber daylighting system with sunlight transportation in free space.

We present the design, optical simulation, and experiment of a modified optical fiber daylighting system (M-OFDS) for indoor lighting. The M-OFDS is comprised of three sub-systems: concentration, collimation, and distribution. The concentration part is formed by coupling a Fresnel lens with a large-core plastic optical fiber. The sunlight collected by the concentration sub-system is propagated in a plastic optical fiber and then collimated by the collimator, which is a combination of a parabolic mirror and a convex lens. The collimated beam of sunlight travels in free space and is guided to the interior by directing flat mirrors, where it is diffused uniformly by a distributor. All parameters of the system are calculated theoretically. Based on the designed system, our simulation results demonstrated a maximum optical efficiency of 71%. The simulation results also showed that sunlight could be delivered to the illumination destination at distance of 30 m. A prototype of the M-OFDS was fabricated, and preliminary experiments were performed outdoors. The simulation results and experimental results confirmed that the M-OFDS was designed effectively. A large-scale system constructed by several M-OFDSs is also proposed. The results showed that the presented optical fiber daylighting system is a strong candidate for an inexpensive and highly efficient application of solar energy in buildings.

Plastic optical fiber for wide field-of-view optical wireless receiver

This paper demonstrates a working indoor optical wireless link for smart environment applications. The system utilizes a wide field-of-view (FOV) optical wireless receiver through cleaving the tip of large core plastic optical fibers (POFs) attached to the detector. The quality of the optical link is quantified through bit error rate (BER) measurements. The experimental results show a wide FOV with the uncoded BER in the order of 10−3 for transmission distances up to 35 cm when using two POFs for signal collection. The distance can be improved further by increasing the number of fibers. The transmitted signal format and how the BER measurement is achieved are discussed at length. In addition, details are provided for the design of the electronics to establish the optical wireless link.

Side coupling of multiple optical channels by spiral patterned zinc oxide coatings on large core plastic optical fibers

Improved optical side coupling efficiency was demonstrated for spiral patterned zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorods coated large core plastic optic fibers (POFs) as opposed to unpatterned continuous coatings. ZnO nanorods were grown by the hydrothermal method directly onto POF surfaces. Nanorods coating enhanced coupling inside the fiber by scattering light but were also capable of causing leakage. Structuring the growth to specific regions allows scattering from different segments along the fiber to contribute to the total coupled power. ZnO nanorods growth time of 12 h and temperature of 90 °C provided the best coupling voltage. Side coupling was measured to be a factor of 2.2 times better for spiral patterned coatings as opposed to unpatterned coatings. The formation of multiple segments was as well used for multiple-wavelength channels excitation where different bands were side coupled from different segments.

An End-Type Fiber-Optic UV Sensor Covered with Mixture of Two UV Sensitive Materials

An end-type fiber-optic UV sensor based on the principle of fluorescence is proposed and demonstrated. The sensor is made of large-core plastic optical fiber with one end covered with mixture of hot melt adhesive and small amount of chlorophyll. As sources of ultraviolet radiation solar simulator and UV lamp are used. Spectra on the sensor output are measured with spectrometer and compared for different UV light sources. Both hot melt adhesive and chlorophyll reacted to UV radiation. The peaks of fluorescent emission are obtained in visible spectrum in range of blue wavelengths (for hot melt adhesive) and in range of red wavelengths (for chlorophyll), which makes this sensor configuration a good solution for signal multiplexing.

Construction and evaluation of a disposable pH sensor based on a large core plastic optical fiber

The fabrication and characterization of a disposable optical fiber sensor for the detection of pH in the range 5-8 are described. The sensing element is a drop of sol-gel hybrid material containing phenol red and deposited onto the tip of a large core plastic optical fiber. This fiber is also exploited for the optical interrogation. This probe can be used as a disposable part of a measuring system. The dynamic range and temporal response of the sensor are here investigated.

Giga-bit optical receiver for plastic optical fibre

An optical receiver with high sensitivity and linearity specially designed for Giga-bit communications over small-bandwidth high-attenuation multimode plastic optical fiber is presented. An automatic gain control transimpedance amplifier and linear post amplifiers are used to maintain a good performance with multilevel modulation. Using multilevel signaling and large-diameter integrated photodiodes make the presented optical receiver suitable for large core plastic optical fiber. For a wavelength of 675 nm, a sensitivity of −26.3 dB m (BER = 10 −9) at 500 Mb/s is presented by a binary signal. A data rate of 1 Gb/s and a sensitivity of −19.8 dB m (BER = 10 −9) are achieved with four-level pulse amplitude modulation.