Bidirectional optical coupler for plastic optical fibers

We have developed a low-loss bidirectional optical coupler for high-speed optical communication with plastic optical fibers (POFs). The coupler, which is fabricated by an injection molding method that uses poly (methyl methacrylate), has an antisymmetric tapered shape. We show that the coupler has low insertion and branching losses. The tapered shape of the receiving branch reduces beam diameter and increases detection efficiency coupling to a photodetector, whose area is smaller than that of the plastic optical fiber. The possibility of more than 15-m bidirectional transmission with a signaling bit rate up to 500 Mbits/s for simplex step-index POFs is demonstrated.     

Finite-element modal analysis of large-core multimode optical fibers

Plastic optical fibers that are a typical large-core multimode optical fiber support a great number of modes compared with conventional silica-glass multimode optical fibers. So far the WKB method hasbeen used for most of the modal analyses of these fibers because of a great number of guided modes. We describe the accurate eigenmodal analysis of large-core multimode optical fibers with the finite-element method (FEM) and compute the propagation constants of all LP modes. In addition, the FEM has a strong advantage for arbitrary core profiles whereas the WKB method is not suitable fornonmonotonic profiles. To demonstrate the advantage, we apply the FEM to the fiber having sinusoidal fluctuations.     

Micro-optical fiber probe for use in an intravascular Raman endoscope

We believe that we have developed the narrowest optical-fiber Raman probe ever reported, 600 microm in total diameter, that can be inserted into coronary arteries. The selection of suitable optical fibers, filters, and a processing method is discussed. Custom-made filters attached to the front end of a probe eliminate the background Raman signals of the optical fiber itself. The experimental evaluation of various optical fibers is carried out for the selection of suitable fibers. Measurement of the Raman spectra of an atherosclerotic lesion of a rabbit artery in vitro demonstrates the excellent performance of the micro-Raman probe.     

A micro flow cell cytometry based on MEMS technologies using silicon and optical fibers

In this paper, we tested multi-mode optical fibers to select a suitable fiber for effective flow of cell cytometry. In order to align micro nozzle and multi-mode optical fibers, a guide channel was fabricated by silicon wafer etching with MEMS (Micro Electro-Mechanical System) technologies. The fabricated system is advantageous due to its low cost and simplicity in construction. It is possible because multi-mode optical fibers replace many optical lenses and expensive equipment. As a result of the flow cell cytometry using multi-mode optical fibers for both input and output, it is easy to align and we can reduce power consumption. The sensitivity of the micro flow cell cytometry is much better than other cytometries. The output voltage was as high as 300 mV. We injected various cells through the designed and fabricated flow cell cytometry, and we were able to detect cells. Every cell has its own cellulose and wall which cause different light permeability; therefore, we could get different voltage characteristics according to different cells. From the experimental results, we were able to count the number of cells and differentiate the relative size of the injected cells; therefore, we can use the micro flow cell cytometry for analyzing cells [1, 2].     

渐变折射率分布型塑料光纤的研究

用甲基丙烯酸甲酯(MM A)作为基质,在离心设备上采用界面凝胶聚合技术成功地制备了中空的渐变折射率分布(G I)塑料光纤预制棒,避免了普通的界面凝胶聚合方法制备时容易出现气泡的现象,而且可以得到需要的折射率分布。将这样的空心预制棒在合适的条件下熔融拉丝,即可以得到连续、透明、实心的渐变分布折射率塑料光纤。     

Optical power flow in plastic-clad silica fibers

Using the time-independent power-flow equation, we have examined the mode coupling caused by intrinsic perturbation effects of step-index plastic clad silica fiber carrying more than 10(5) modes. Result show that the equilibrium mode distribution for this fiber is achieved at a length of approximate 550 m, which is longer than reported previously. While this coupling length is much longer than that of plastic optical fibers, it is sorter than that of all-glass fibers.     

Fractional fourier transform: photonic implementation

The family of fractional Fourier transforms permits presentation of a temporal signal not only as a function of time or as a pure frequency function but also as a mixed time and frequency function with a continuous degree of emphasis on time or on frequency features. We show how it is possible to implement the fractional Fourier transform on time signals by using optoelectronic modulators and optical fibers with suitable dispersion. We also show how a fractional-Fourier-transform-based photonic signal-processing system could be composed.     

Poly(ethylene oxide)-silica hybrids entrapping sensitive dyes for biomedical optical pH sensors: Molecular dynamics and optical response

Polymer-silica hybrid nanocomposites prepared by sol-gel process based on triethoxisilane-terminated poly(ethylene oxide) chains and tetraethoxysilane as silica precursor, doped with organic pH sensitive dyes, have been prepared and their suitability for use as sensors coupled with plastic optic fibers has been evaluated. Sensors were prepared by immobilizing a drop of the hybrid materials onto the tip of a multi-mode poly(methyl methacrylate) optical fiber. The performance of the optical sensor in terms of sensitivity and response time was tested in different experimental conditions, and was found to be markedly higher than analogous sensors present on the market. The very fast kinetic of the hybrid’s optical response was supported by studies performed at the molecular level by broadband dielectric relaxation spectroscopy (DRS), investigated over a wide range of frequency and temperature, showing that poly(ethylene oxide) chains maintain their dynamics even when covalently bonded to silica domains, which decrease the self-association interactions and promote motions of polymer chain segments. Due to the fast response kinetic observed, these pH optical sensors result suitable for the fast-detection of biomedical parameters, i.e. fast esophageous pH-metry.     

改性聚丙烯纤维对发泡水泥性能的影响

采用丙烯酸化学接枝法对聚丙烯纤维进行表面改性, 研究了改性聚丙烯纤维对发泡水泥塑性收缩开裂、 力学性能及泡孔结构的影响。结果表明, 改性聚丙烯纤维可改善发泡水泥的泡孔结构, 并降低其塑性收缩开裂、 细化其塑性收缩裂缝, 同时可提高其抗折、 抗压强度及弯曲韧性。纤维与水泥的质量比为0.7%时, 试样的泡孔结构明显改善, 塑性收缩开裂值下降了85.4%, 且缝宽小于1 mm的塑性收缩裂缝比例高达73.1%, 同时试样抗折及抗压强度分别增加48.8%和30.3%, 弯曲韧性显著增加。利用傅里叶变换红外光谱仪、 SEM、 光学显微镜对改性前后聚丙烯纤维表面基团及发泡水泥试样的断面微观形貌、 泡孔结构进行了分析, 探讨了改性聚丙烯纤维的作用机制。     

Passive device based on plastic optical fibers to determine the indices of refraction of liquids

We have designed and measured a passive device based on plastic optical fibers (POF's) that one can use to determine the indices of refraction of liquids. A complementary software has also been designed to simulate the behavior of the device. We report on the theoretical model developed for the device, its implementation in a simulation software program, and the results of the simulation. A comparison of the experimental and calculated results is also shown and discussed.     

Simultaneous near-infrared diffusive light and ultrasound imaging

We have constructed a near-real-time combined imager suitable for simultaneous ultrasound and near-infrared diffusive light imaging and coregistration. The imager consists of a combined hand-held probe and the associated electronics for data acquisition. A two-dimensional ultrasound array is deployed at the center of the combined probe, and 12 dual-wavelength laser source fibers (780 and 830 nm) and 8 optical detector fibers are deployed at the periphery. We have experimentally evaluated the effects of missing optical sources in the middle of the combined probe on the accuracy of the reconstructed optical absorption coefficient and assessed the improvements of a reconstructed absorption coefficient with the guidance of the coregistered ultrasound. The results have shown that, when the central ultrasound array area is in the neighborhood of 2 cm x 2 cm, which corresponds to the size of most commercial ultrasound transducers, the optical imaging is not affected. The results have also shown that the iterative inversion algorithm converges quickly with the guidance of a priori three-dimensional target distribution, and only one iteration is needed to reconstruct an accurate optical absorption coefficient.     

Concentrated and piped sunlight for indoor illumination

A concept for indoor illumination of buildings using sunlight is described. For this system, a tracking concentrator on the building roof follows the sun and focuses sunlight into a lightguide. A system of transparent lightguides distributes the sunlight to interior rooms. Recent advances in the transparency of acrylic plastic optical fibers suggest that acrylic lightguides could be successfully used for piping sunlight. The proposed system displaces electricity currently used for indoor lighting. It is argued that using sunlight directly for indoor illumination would be about twenty-five times more cost-effective than using sunlight to generate electricity with solar cells for powering electric lamps for indoor lighting.     

Site-specific multipoint fluorescence measurement system with end-capped optical fibers

We present the development and implementation of a spatially and spectrally resolved multipoint fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) system utilizing multiple end-capped optical fibers and an inexpensive laser source. Specially prepared end-capped optical fibers placed in an image plane were used to both collect fluorescence signals from the sample and to deliver signals to the detectors. The placement of independently selected optical fibers on the image plane was done by monitoring the end-capped fiber tips at the focus using a CCD, and fluorescence from specific positions of a sample were collected by an end-capped fiber, which could accurately represent light intensities or spectral data without incurring any disturbance. A fast multipoint spectroscopy system with a time resolution of ～1.5 ms was then implemented using a prism and an electron multiplying charge coupled device with a pixel binning for the region of interest. The accuracy of our proposed system was subsequently confirmed by experimental results, based on an FCS analysis of microspheres in distilled water. We expect that the proposed multipoint site-specific fluorescence measurement system can be used as an inexpensive fluorescence measurement tool to study many intracellular and molecular dynamics in cell biology.     

Design approaches to power-over-optical local-area-network systems

This paper discusses fiber optic power and signal transmission systems considering the application of dc powering to information tools such as personal computers. We discuss system requirements and technical issues for the system components, including high-power laser diodes and photovoltaic cells. It is clarified that the conversion efficiencies of photovoltaic cells are kept constant with heat radiation and improve with extremely small series resistance. The transmittable optical powers through the optical fiber limited by a nonlinear optical effect are estimated. We also discuss the system designs for the use of single- and multi-mode optical fibers.     

Mode coupling in strained and unstrained step-index plastic optical fibers

Using the power-flow equation, we have examined the state of mode coupling in strained and unstrained step-index plastic optical fibers. The strained fibers show much stronger mode coupling than unstrained fibers of the same types. As a result, the coupling lengths where equilibrium mode distribution is achieved and the lengths of fiber required for achieving a steady-state mode distribution for strained fibers are much shorter than the corresponding lengths for unstrained fibers.     

Measurement of up- and down-lead fiber sensitivity caused by the lead in a multimode fiber in an interferometric system

The results of a comparative experimental study on the effect of the modal noise induced by lead-in fibers in an extrinsic interferometric system, illuminated by high- and low-coherence light sources, respectively, are reported. When the up-lead fiber was subject to a perturbation, the sensitivity of the system was reduced by 20.9 dB through the use of a high-coherence source, and by 1.8 dB through the use of a low-coherence source. When the down-lead fiber was perturbed, the sensitivity dropped by 30.3 dB and 4.9 dB for high- and low-coherence sources, respectively. The results from the experimental analysis supported qualitatively by simple theory show that the use of a low-coherence light source can greatly suppress the modal noise induced in both the up- and down-lead fibers, if the coherence length of the light source used is less than the optical path difference between two adjacent fiber modes. This shows the practicality of the use of niultimode fibers in an interferometric system with a suitable lig t source.     

Method for embedding optical fibers in an aluminum matrix by ultrasonic consolidation

The overall aim of the research, part of which is outlined in this paper, was to utilize the ultrasonic consolidation (UC) process for the fabrication of smart metal structures, capable of measuring an external stimulus and responding to this stimulus by adapting its structure accordingly through embedding both active and passive functional elements. This paper presents a fundamental study of embedding methods for the fabrication of optical fibers embedded within aluminum structures. The methods considered in this paper produced embedded optical fiber specimens in which large amounts of plastic flow were observed within the matrix. The matrix material deformed around the fibers, resulting in fully embedded optical fibers capable of transmitting a bright light source and without damaging the fibers. Based on light responses, a general process window was drawn to show the range at which optical fibers can be embedded within aluminum structures using the UC process. The outcomes lay down initial investigative principles for the further development of the technology for embedding or cladding of optical fiber sensors, such as fiber Bragg grating devices, within or on metal structures: for example, the cladding of large free-form metal structures or smart "skinned" metal foam or metal honeycomb structures.     

Numerical simulations of fracture-toughness improvement using short shaped head ductile fibers

Fibers can be shaped so as to anchor inside the matrix and resist pullout at a crack face, thus improving the fracture-toughness of the composites. This anchoring ability enables a greatly improved utilization of the plastic potential of ductile fibers, increasing fracture-toughness while maintaining stiffness. The purpose of this paper is to explore this property of shaped head fibers for composites with weak fiber–matrix bonding. Because of the difficulty in estimating the fracture-toughness contribution of shaped head fibers analytically or experimentally, we use a FEM based numerical scheme to investigate stress profiles induced during pullout of two chosen shaped head families. Annealed copper fiber with a large residual plastic potential and an elastic epoxy matrix have been used as representative materials. Using the computed strain energy distribution in the matrix as a measure of fracture-toughness contribution, we find that flat-head fibers out-perform ball-head fibers in minimizing failure potential. We have further discovered that within each shape family there exist optimal shapes. The optimal shape for the flat-head family is also computed for the example material system.     

Natural light illumination system

In recent years, green energy has undergone a lot of development and has been the subject of many applications. Many research studies have focused on illumination with sunlight as a means of saving energy and creating healthy lighting. Natural light illumination systems have collecting, transmitting, and lighting elements. Today, most daylight collectors use dynamic concentrators; these include Sun tracking systems. However, this design is too expensive to be cost effective. To create a low-cost collector that can be easily installed on a large building, we have designed a static concentrator, which is prismatic and cascadable, to collect sunlight for indoor illumination. The transmission component uses a large number of optical fibers. Because optical fibers are expensive, this means that most of the cost for the system will be related to transmission. In this paper, we also use a prismatic structure to design an optical coupler for coupling n to 1. With the n-to-1 coupler, the number of optical fibers necessary can be greatly reduced. Although this new natural light illumination system can effectively guide collected sunlight and send it to the basement or to other indoor places for healthy lighting, previously there has been no way to manage the collected sunlight when lighting was not desired. To solve this problem, we have designed an optical switch and a beam splitter to control and separate the transmitted light. When replacing traditional sources, the lighting should have similar characteristics, such as intensity distribution and geometric parameters, to those of traditional artificial sources. We have designed, simulated, and optimized an illumination lightpipe with a dot pattern to redistribute the collected sunlight from the natural light illumination system such that it equals the qualities of a traditional lighting system. We also provide an active lighting module that provides lighting from the natural light illumination system or LED auxiliary sources, depending on circumstances. The system is controlled by a light detector. We used optical simulation tools to design and simulate the efficiency of the active module. Finally, we used the natural light illumination system to provide natural illumination for a traffic tunnel. This system will provide a great number of benefits for the people who use it.     

Analytical integration of elasto‐plastic uniaxial constitutive laws over arbitrary sections.

We present the preliminary results of a novel approach to the state determination of polygonal sections of arbitrary shape endowed with elasto‐plastic uniaxial constitutive laws. By means of a suitable application of Gauss theorem, we prove that the normal stress resultants can be computed analytically as sum of finite quantities evaluated solely at the vertices of the section. For this reason, the proposed approach has been termed fiber‐free to emphasize the fact that it does not require any subdivision of the section in fibers. Numerical results show that the fiber approach is grossly inaccurate and that the number of fibers required to achieve a degree of accuracy comparable with that entailed by the fiber‐free approach is at least one order of magnitude greater than the one commonly suggested in commercial software for nonlinear frame analysis. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.