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Microdrilled tapers to enhance optical fiber lasers for sensing
R A Perez-Herrera1,2, M Bravo3,4, P Roldan-Varona5,6,7
1Department of Electrical Electronic and Communication Engineering, Public University of Navarra, 31006, Pamplona, Spain. rosa.perez@unavarra.es.
Scientific Reports
|October 15, 2021
Summary
This study demonstrates novel fiber optic sensors for enhanced strain measurement. Micro-drilled tapered fibers offer superior strain sensitivity compared to traditional Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBGs).
Area of Science:
- Fiber optics
- Optical sensing
- Laser technology
Background:
- Quasi-randomly distributed reflectors in single-mode fibers are crucial for sensing mirrors.
- Short linear cavity fiber lasers benefit from these reflectors for laser emission and sensor applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To experimentally analyze the performance of various quasi-randomly distributed reflectors as sensing mirrors in fiber lasers.
- To evaluate laser emission and sensor features using optical tapered fibers, micro-drilled optical fibers, and micro-drilled tapered fibers (MDTF) with different waist sizes (50 μm and 100 μm).
Main Methods:
- Inscribed quasi-randomly distributed reflectors into single-mode fibers.
- Utilized optical tapered fibers, micro-drilled optical fibers, and 50 μm or 100 μm-waist micro-drilled tapered fibers (MDTF) as sensing mirrors.
- Analyzed laser emission characteristics and sensor performance, including temperature and strain sensitivities.
Main Results:
- A 50 μm-waist micro-drilled tapered optical fiber achieved single-wavelength laser output power of approximately 8.2 dBm and an optical signal-to-noise ratio of 45 dB.
- Temperature sensitivities were comparable to Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBGs).
- Strain sensitivity was improved by over an order of magnitude compared to FBG sensors, with slope sensitivities reaching 18.1 pm/με using a 50 μm-waist MDTF.
Conclusions:
- Micro-drilled tapered fibers (MDTF) show significant potential as high-performance sensing mirrors in fiber lasers.
- MDTFs offer a substantial improvement in strain sensitivity, outperforming traditional FBG sensors.
- The 50 μm-waist MDTF demonstrates excellent laser performance and superior strain sensing capabilities.
