Fiber Bragg grating fabrication using femtosecond laser and phase mask

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QPS Photonics Inc. specializes in phase masks for volume manufacture of fiber Bragg gratings (FBG) in optical fibers and optical fiber sensors for condition monitoring using the invented VibroFibre technology in a variety of applications including End Windings Vibration monitoring in large power generators, monitoring of Partial Discharge in transformers and circuit breakers, temperature monitoring in oil and gas industries, etc. Beyond VibroFibre technology, QPS is developing the frequency domain multiplexing (FDM) technology for distributed sensing of vibration/temperature with fiber optics. For the FDM technology, fabrication of FBGs in optical fibers and automation of FBG fabrication will play a significant role in the distributed sensing device development. In particular, FBGs with controlled reflectivity at the Bragg wavelength are critical for the FDM technology's optimum performance. For this, substantial research in FBG fabrication is required. QPS has been looking for a long-term academic partner with FBG fabrication facility such as femtosecond laser machining system, who can conduct research on FBG fabrication in order to control and obtain the desired reflectivity for the FDM technology. A femtosecond laser machining system is available in the Laboratory for Advanced Multiscale Manufacturing (LAMM) at the University of Vitoria (UVic) with expertise in direct grating fabrication and optical fiber based sensor development. The objective of this proposal is to conduct research on fabrication of fiber Bragg gratings using femtosecond laser and phase mask in order to control reflectivity of the grating. Grating fabrication in different types of optical fibers will also be investigated. Controlled grating reflectivity results will be analyzed using QPS FDM technology. Phase masks will be designed and fabricated through collaboration with QPS engineers.