Graded index fiber waveguides with borosilicate composition: fabrication techniques

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Optical Engineering
• Fiber Optics

Background:

• Graded refractive index (GRIN) fibers offer unique light-guiding properties.
• Controlling the refractive index profile is crucial for fiber performance.
• Silica-boria (SiO(2)-B(2)O(3)) glasses are promising for fiber fabrication.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate controlled fabrication of SiO(2)-B(2)O(3) GRIN fibers.
• To characterize the optical properties of the fabricated fibers, focusing on loss and dispersion.

Main Methods:

• Utilized controlled fabrication techniques for SiO(2)-B(2)O(3) composition.
• Measured fiber loss at 900 nm and 1060 nm.
• Measured fiber dispersion at 900 nm, including material dispersion.

Main Results:

• Fabrication process for SiO(2)-B(2)O(3) GRIN fibers demonstrated good control.
• Achieved low optical loss below 3 dB/km at both 900 nm and 1060 nm.
• Observed low total dispersion of 260 psec/km at 900 nm, with material dispersion at 200 psec/km.

Conclusions:

• Well-controlled fabrication of SiO(2)-B(2)O(3) GRIN fibers is achievable.
• The fabricated fibers possess excellent low-loss and low-dispersion characteristics.
• These results indicate potential for these fibers in optical communication and sensing applications.