Fiber Bragg grating fabrication using femtosecond laser and phase mask

QPS Photonics Inc.专业生产用于批量生产光纤中的光纤布拉格光栅(FBG)的相位掩模和使用发明的VibroFibre技术进行状态监测的光纤传感器，这些应用包括：大型发电机中的端部绕组振动监测、变压器和断路器中的局部放电监测、石油和天然气行业的温度监测等。对于频分复用技术，光纤中FBG的制作和FBG制作的自动化将在分布式传感器件的发展中发挥重要作用。特别是，在布拉格波长具有可控反射率的FBG对于FDM技术的最佳性能至关重要。为此，需要对FBG的制作进行大量的研究。QPS一直在寻找与飞秒激光加工系统等FBG制作设备长期合作的学术合作伙伴，他们可以进行FBG制作的研究，以控制和获得所需的反射率，以满足FDM技术的要求。维托利亚大学(UVic)先进多尺度制造实验室(LAMM)提供了一种飞秒激光加工系统，该系统具有直接光栅制造和基于光纤的传感器开发方面的专业知识。该方案的目的是研究利用飞秒激光和位相掩模制作光纤布拉格光栅，以控制光纤布拉格光栅的反射率。此外，还将研究在不同类型的光纤中制作光栅。受控的光栅反射率结果将使用QPS有限差分技术进行分析。相位掩模将通过与QPS工程师的合作来设计和制造。

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.