Abstract:
A method of creating an optical filter for selectively filtering an optical signal transmitted through said filter, said method comprising: constructing a Bragg grating in an optical element (2) coupled (3, 4) to an optical pathway (8) for the transmission of said optical signal to suppress background radiation; and adjusting (6, 7) said coupling so as to produce a selective transmission spectrum in accordance with predetermined requirements.
Abstract:
An optical grating is formed by exposing linearly spaced regions of an optical fibre (10), typically a germanosilicate core fibre, to UV irradiation to produce spaced apart regions (12 and 13) of differing refractive index within the core (11) of the fibre. The grating characteristics are modified to create a relatively complex structure, for example a ( PI phase-shifted distributed phase structure, by post-processing the grating. This is achieved by exposing at least one concomitant region (14) of the grating to localised UV irradiation.
Abstract:
A method of creating an optical structure within a photosensitive light transmissive material comprising the steps of: (a) exposing a selected regio n of the material to radiation at a wavelength selected to effect a refractive index change in the material; (b) terminating the exposure to the radiation at a selected fluence; and afterwards (c) exposing at least one portion of the selected region to UV radiation at a level sufficient to vary the refractive index of the material within the selected region to form the optical structure; wherein the fluence is selected such that the optical structure i s substantially thermally stable without a requirement for post-processing annealing.
Abstract:
A waveguide having photosensitive properties is disclosed comprising: a waveguide substrate (2); a first cladding layer formed on the waveguide substrate; a UV absorbing layer (9) formed on the first cladding layer; a UV sensitive layer (4) having optical transmission properties adapted to be changed with UV irradiation, the layer formed on or closely adjacent the UV absorbing layer; and a second cladding layer, being substantially UV transparent, on the UV sensitive layer. Preferably, there is further provided a third cladding layer intermediate of the UV absorbing layer and the UV sensitive layer. The UV absorbing layer comprises a germanosilicate material. The absorbing layer can be adapted to change a physical property upon UV absorption. The UV absorbing layer can be variable thickness, the thickness being in accordance with predetermined requirements.