Open AccessAll-optical, thermo-optical path length modulation based on the vanadium-doped fibers
Author(s) -
Žiga Matjašec,
Stanislav Čampelj,
Denis Đonlagić
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.21.011794
Subject(s) - materials science , optics , optical fiber , polarization maintaining optical fiber , dispersion shifted fiber , optical modulator , modulation (music) , fiber optic sensor , graded index fiber , optical path , optical path length , optical power , optoelectronics , phase modulation , physics , laser , phase noise , acoustics
This paper presents an all-fiber, fully-optically controlled, optical-path length modulator based on highly absorbing optical fiber. The modulator utilizes a high-power 980 nm pump diode and a short section of vanadium-co-doped single mode fiber that is heated through absorption and a non-radiative relaxation process. The achievable path length modulation range primarily depends on the pump's power and the convective heat-transfer coefficient of the surrounding gas, while the time response primarily depends on the heated fiber's diameter. An absolute optical length change in excess of 500 µm and a time-constant as short as 11 ms, were demonstrated experimentally. The all-fiber design allows for an electrically-passive and remote operation of the modulator. The presented modulator could find use within various fiber-optics systems that require optical (remote) path length control or modulation.