Fiber Bragg grating fabrication using femtosecond laser and phase mask

QPS Photonics Inc.专门从事光纤Bragg光栅（FBG）的量产相位掩模和用于状态监测的光纤传感器，使用发明的vibrofiber技术，用于各种应用，包括大型发电机的端部绕组振动监测，变压器和断路器的局部放电监测，石油和天然气工业的温度监测等。除了vibrofiber技术，QPS还在开发频域复用（FDM）技术，用于光纤的振动/温度分布式传感。对于FDM技术，光纤中FBG的制造和FBG制造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，需要在FBG制造方面进行大量的研究。QPS一直在寻找一个长期的学术合作伙伴，与FBG制造设备，如飞秒激光加工系统，谁可以进行FBG制造的研究，以控制和获得所需的反射率为FDM技术。维多利亚大学（UVic）的先进多尺度制造实验室（LAMM）拥有飞秒激光加工系统，该系统具有直接光栅制造和基于光纤的传感器开发的专业知识。本课题的目的是研究利用飞秒激光和相位掩模制作光纤布拉格光栅，以控制光栅的反射率。在不同类型的光纤中制作光栅也将被研究。控制光栅反射率的结果将使用QPS FDM技术进行分析。相位掩模将通过与QPS工程师合作设计和制造。

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.