Space-variant polarization conversion with artificial birefringent metallic elements.

We present an artificial birefringent space-variant polarization converter for the near infrared, λ = 1550 nm. Each hollow waveguide has a rectangular shape with lateral dimensions of 1550 nm in the x-direction and 1034 nm as the largest length in the y-direction. The whole device consists of approximately 2000 × 2500 hollow waveguides realized in a 2-µm-thick gold structure. They are separated by sidewalls with a width of less than 500 nm. By proper choice of the lateral widths of the individual holes, a pixel-wise polarization conversion of an incoming wave field is possible. By suitable choice of the fabrication parameters, a birefringent phase shift up to 2π can be achieved. Hence, the structure is able to fully convert the state of polarization, e.g., from linear to circular. For fabrication of the device, femtosecond 3D direct laser writing was combined with electroplating. Here, we describe the operation of our device as a space-variant polarization converter by measuring the angle-dependent transmitted power and by calculating the ellipticity and the phase delay dependent on position as well as the azimuth angle from the experimentally determined powers.

High-temperature stable and sterilizable waveguide Bragg grating in planar cyclo-olefin copolymer.

In this Letter, we demonstrate a high-temperature stable polymer planar waveguide Bragg grating based on cyclo-olefin copolymers. The high glass transition temperature of the polymer material amounting to 178°C, in conjunction with a high-temperature stable UV-curable adhesive used to connect the polymer sensor to a standard single-mode fiber, enables temperature readings of up to 160°C while exhibiting a temperature sensitivity of -7.3 pm/°C. The reflected power of the Bragg wavelength remains constant up to a temperature of 130°C before declining at higher temperatures with an overall reduction of 2.5 dB at 160°C. However, decreasing temperature results in a complete recovery of the peak power, facilitating steam pressure sterilization (129°C, 0.17 MPa) of the polymer planar waveguide Bragg grating.

Highly sensitive detection of naphthalene in solvent vapor using a functionalized PBG refractive index sensor.

We report an optical refractive index sensor system based on a planar Bragg grating which is functionalized by substituted γ-cyclodextrin to determine low concentrations of naphthalene in solvent vapor. The sensor system exhibits a quasi-instantaneous shift of the Bragg wavelength and is therefore capable for online detection. The overall shift of the Bragg wavelength reveals a linear relationship to the analyte concentration with a gradient of 12.5 ± 1.5 pm/ppm. Due to the spectral resolution and repeatability of the interrogation system, this corresponds to acquisition steps of 80 ppb. Taking into account the experimentally detected signal noise a minimum detection limit of 0.48 ± 0.05 ppm is deduced.

Challenges in a Hybrid Fabrication Process to Generate Metallic Polarization Elements with Sub-Wavelength Dimensions.

We report on the challenges in a hybrid sub-micrometer fabrication process while using three dimensional femtosecond direct laser writing and electroplating. With this hybrid subtractive and additive fabrication process, it is possible to generate metallic polarization elements with sub-wavelength dimensions of less than 400 nm in the cladding area. We show approaches for improving the adhesion of freestanding photoresist pillars as well as of the metallic cladding area, and we also demonstrate the avoidance of an inhibition layer and sticking of the freestanding pillars. Three-dimensional direct laser writing in a positive tone photoresist is used as a subtractive process to fabricate free-standing non-metallic photoresist pillars with an area of about 850 nm × 1400 nm, a height of 3000 nm, and a distance between the pillars of less than 400 nm. In a subsequent additive fabrication process, these channels are filled with gold by electrochemical deposition up to a final height of 2200 nm. Finally, the polarization elements are characterized by measuring the degree of polarization in order to show their behavior as quarter- and half-wave plates.