Special structured polymer fibers for sensing applications

• Published in: Optical fiber technology Vol. 16; no. 6; pp. 357 - 366
• Main Authors: Tam, H.Y., Pun, Chi-Fung Jeff, Zhou, Guiyao, Cheng, Xin, Tse, M.L.V.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 01.12.2010
• Subjects: Dye doped; Fiber Bragg grating; Polymer optical fiber; Sensor; Structured fiber; Polymer optical fiber; Fiber Bragg grating; Dye doped; Structured fiber; Sensor
• ISSN: 1068-5200; 1095-9912
• DOI: 10.1016/j.yofte.2010.08.004

We report our recent development on polymer optical fibers with the ultimate goal to realize all polymer-based systems for sensing applications. The progress on the development of dopant polymer fibers and a low-cost, compact polymer optical sensing system is reported. Trans-4-stilbenemethanol doped photosensitive single-mode polymer optical fiber was fabricated, and fiber Bragg gratings were successfully photo-written onto the fiber. Single-mode perfluorinated polymer optical fibers is demonstrated, with the transmission loss of <0.2 dB/m in the wavelength range of 1410–1540 nm and <0.5 dB/m for wavelengths up to 1610 nm is achieved. A novel design of a photosensitive microstructured polymer optical fiber is proposed. The new hole-assisted single-mode polymer optical fiber design eliminates the influence of dopant diffusion and to increase the ultra-violet writing efficiency in fiber Bragg grating inscription.