Applications of femtosecond laser induced Bragg gratings in silica and non-silica based optical fibers

Since its development in 2003, the technique of Bragg grating inscription using an ultrafast infrared laser and a phase mask has proven to be far more versatile than the standard ultraviolet laser approach. The ultrafast IR laser-based process allows for the creation of grating structures in glassy and crystalline material waveguides that are not typically UV-photosensitive, thereby creating new applications for Bragg gratings where the use of UV-photosensitive silica fibers is not possible. In this paper we will review the studies that have been performed at the Communications Research Centre Canada on the applications of the ultrafast laser technique to fabricate gratings in various optical fibers and waveguides.

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