Weak reflectivity measurements of large-mode-area FBGs by a scale composed of a fiber Fabry-Perot interferometer

In a previous study, we proposed a measuring method for the reflectivity of weak-reflection large-mode-area fiber Bragg gratings by using scale gratings. We experimentally found that the interference between two scale fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) is beneficial for increasing reflectivity scales, which can improve the measurement accuracy. Therefore, in this study, we designed and fabricated FBG-based Fabry-Perot cavities (FBG-FP) in single-mode fibers by two inscription methods, namely ultraviolet (UV) laser exposure and femtosecond-laser direct writing. Then, a large-mode-area double-clad (LMA-DC) FBG of weak reflectivity was measured by these two scales, and the experimental results show that the Bragg resonance reflectivity is less than 4.28% and 1.14% ∼ 2.28%, respectively. This method of measuring the weak grating reflectivity based on FBG-FP scales is convenient, efficient, and accurate. It is also worth mentioning that the method of femtosecond-laser direct writing eliminates the period limitation of the phase mask, thereby expanding the measurement wavelength range of FBGs. In the future, with the improvement of fiber grating fabrication technology, it is expected that more accurate results can be obtained.