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Applications of Active Thin Film Coatings on Optical Fibers

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 February 2011

G. R. Fox
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Ceramics, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland, Glen.Fox@lc.dmx.epfl.ch
C.A.P. Muller
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Ceramics, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland, Glen.Fox@lc.dmx.epfl.ch
C. R. Wüthrich
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Ceramics, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland, Glen.Fox@lc.dmx.epfl.ch
A. L. Kholkin
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Ceramics, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland, Glen.Fox@lc.dmx.epfl.ch
N. Setter
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Ceramics, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland, Glen.Fox@lc.dmx.epfl.ch
D. M. Costantini
Affiliation:
Institute of Applied Optics, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
N. H. Ky
Affiliation:
Institute of Applied Optics, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
H. G. Limberger
Affiliation:
Institute of Applied Optics, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
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Abstract

Active thin film coatings on optical fibers provide a variety of functions that are being used to develop active all-fiber optical devices. Two types of active coatings that are of interest for device development include resistive and piezoelectric coatings. Resistive coatings can be used to heat an optical fiber, while piezoelectric coatings can be used to strain the fiber. Localized changes in the fiber waveguiding properties can be achieved by electrically activating the fiber coating. These coated fibers show promise for applications such as optical phase shifters and modulators.

Recent developments in the fabrication of diffraction gratings within the core of an optical fiber have provided the means for making a variety of intra-core reflection and band pass filters. By combining these passive intra-core fiber devices with active coatings, wavelength tunable devices have been demonstrated. Wavelength tunable devices are expected to have a variety of applications in telecommunications and sensing networks. A review of recent developments in fiber coating and analysis techniques, device fabrication, and applications of active all-fiber devices are presented along with a discussion of which coating materials are of interest in active devices.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1997

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References

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