Damage threshold of microstructured optical fibres

Laurent F. Michaille; Terence John Shepherd; David Maurice Taylor; Keith L. Lewis

doi:10.1117/12.592014

21 February 2005 Damage threshold of microstructured optical fibres

Laurent F. Michaille, Terence John Shepherd, David Maurice Taylor, Keith L. Lewis

Proceedings Volume 5647, Laser-Induced Damage in Optical Materials: 2004; (2005) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.592014
Event: Boulder Damage Symposium XXXVI, 2004, Boulder, Colorado, United States

Abstract

Laser damage thresholds of 10 and 20 micron-core diameter solid-core photonic crystal fibres (PCF) and hollow-core photonic band gap (PBG) fibres have been measured. The studies were carried out using a Nd:Yag laser (30nsec pulses at 10Hz), which is optimally coupled into the fibres by careful mode matching, providing a coupling efficiency greater than 90%. It has been shown that the damage threshold of the 10-micron PBG fibre occurs for pulse energies close to 1 mJ, equivalent to a fluence well in excess of 1kJ/cm² propagating down the fibre. This is a factor of 4 larger than the damage threshold of the 10-micron diameter solid-core PCF. However, the damage threshold of the large-core PBG is smaller than that of the PCF. Theoretical modelling based only on the optical modal properties of the single-mode PBG fibre shows that an enhancement by a factor 25 should be obtainable. Thus there are different mechanisms potentially responsible for the fragility of larger core PBG fibres. In an experimental study of bend losses it ahs been found that it is possible to bend the 10-micron PBG fibre up to the breaking point bend radius (less than 1mm). The critical bend radius for the 20-micron PCF. A summary will be presented of the results of the experimental and theoretical studies, highlighting possible reasons for the observed trends for the two different forms of fibre.

Citation Download Citation

Laurent F. Michaille, Terence John Shepherd, David Maurice Taylor, and Keith L. Lewis "Damage threshold of microstructured optical fibres", Proc. SPIE 5647, Laser-Induced Damage in Optical Materials: 2004, (21 February 2005); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.592014

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available