Apparatus and Method for Varying a Bragg Wavelength of a Bragg Grating Formed in an Optical Fiber.

Abstract

An apparatus and method uses a Bragg grating formed in the core of an optical fiber. An element is coupled to the optical fiber and serves to vary a Bragg wavelength (i.e., a wavelength at which reflection occurs) of the Bragg grating by varying a refractive index of the core and/or a cladding of the optical fiber. The element can be an electro-optical element, a magnetooptical element or a chemo-optical element either sensing or being controllably varied, based on an electric signal, a magnetic signal or a presence or absence of a chemical, respectively. Alternatively, a dopant such as a rare-earth ion, can be formed in the core and/or cladding of the optical fiber and irradiated with laser light from a laser pump. A change in absorption spectra from ground state absorption to excited state absorption changes the refractive index of the core and/or cladding so that the Bragg wavelength of the Bragg grating is varied based on an intensity of the laser light.

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 30, 1993
Accession Number
ADD015876

Entities

People

  • Alan D. Kersey
  • C. A. Villarruel

Organizations

  • United States Department of the Navy

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Absorption
  • Absorption Spectra
  • Bragg Gratings
  • Fibers
  • Ground State
  • Intensity
  • Optical Fibers
  • Reflection
  • Refractive Index
  • Sorption
  • Spectra

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Electrical Engineering
  • Optical Fiber Sensing and Electromagnetic Propagation.
  • Spectroscopy.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy