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Published on: April 20, 2016
Optical switch based on a fluid-filled photonic crystal fiber Bragg grating
Yiping Wang1, Wei Jin, Long Jin
1Department of Electrical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China. ypwang@china.com
Optics Letters
|December 3, 2009
Summary
We developed a novel in-fiber optical switch using a fluid-filled photonic crystal fiber. This device precisely controls light transmission with minimal temperature changes, offering efficient optical switching capabilities.
Area of Science:
- Photonics
- Optical Engineering
- Materials Science
Background:
- Photonic crystal fibers (PCFs) offer unique light manipulation properties.
- Optical switches are crucial components in telecommunications and sensing.
- Thermo-optic effects provide a mechanism for tunable optical properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To implement an in-fiber optical switch.
- To utilize the thermo-optic effect in a fluid-filled PCF for optical switching.
- To demonstrate efficient light transmission control.
Main Methods:
- Filling air holes of a PCF with a fluid.
- Integrating a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) into the PCF.
- Utilizing temperature adjustments to induce thermo-optic effects.
- Analyzing light transmission characteristics.
Main Results:
- Successfully implemented an in-fiber optical switch.
- Achieved light switching with an extinction ratio up to 33 dB.
- Demonstrated switching within a narrow wavelength range (Bragg wavelength).
- Observed switching behavior with a temperature adjustment of +/-5 degrees C.
Conclusions:
- The fluid-filled PCF with FBG acts as an effective in-fiber optical switch.
- The switching mechanism relies on temperature-dependent mode coupling due to the thermo-optic effect.
- This technology offers a compact and efficient solution for optical switching applications.
