Automatic Arc Discharge-Induced Helical Long Period Fiber Gratings and Its Sensing Applications

Abstract

We experimentally demonstrate an automatic arc discharge technology for inscribing high-quality helically twisted long period fiber gratings (H-LPFGs) with greatly improved inscription efficiency for single mode fibers. The proposed technology has been developed by implementing an embedded program in a commercial fusion splicer, which employs an ultraprecision motorized translation stage while the tensioning mass required by conventional inscribing technology is eliminated. More significantly, the arc-induced H-LPFGs have been reported to have potential usage as sensors in temperature, refractive index, twist stress, and strain.