High-Efficiency Inscription of Fiber Bragg Grating Array with High-Energy Nanosecond-Pulsed Laser Talbot Interferometer

Abstract

A high-energy nanosecond-pulsed ultraviolet (UV) laser Talbot interferometer for high-efficiency, mass production of fiber Bragg grating (FBG) array was experimentally demonstrated. High-quality FBG arrays were successfully inscribed in both H2-free and H2-loaded standard single-mode fibers (SMFs) with high inscription efficiency and excellent reproducibility. Compared with the femtosecond pulse that had a coherent length of several tens of micrometers, a longer coherent length (~10 mm) of the employed laser rendered a wider FBG wavelength versatility over 700 nm band (1200–1900 nm) without the need for optical path difference (OPD) compensation. Dense FBG array with center wavelength separation of ~0.4 nm was achieved and more than 1750 FBGs with separated center wavelength could be inscribed in a single H2-free or H2-loaded SMF in theory, which is promising for mass production of FBG arrays in industry. Moreover, precise focusing of laser beam was superfluous for the proposed system due to the high energy density of pulse. The proposed FBG inscription system was promising for industrialization production of dense FBG arrays.