Optical Tip Clearance Measurements as a Tool for Rotating Disk Characterization.

An experimental investigation on the vibrational behavior of a rotating disk by means of three optical fiber sensors is presented. The disk, which is a scale model of the real disk of an aircraft engine, was assembled in a wind tunnel in order to simulate real operation conditions. The pressure difference between the upstream and downstream sides of the disk causes an airflow that might force the disk to vibrate. To characterize this vibration, a set of parameters was determined by measuring the tip clearance of the disk: the amplitude, the frequency and the number of nodal diameters in the disk. All this information allowed the design of an upgraded prototype of the disk, whose performance was also characterized by the same method. An optical system was employed for the measurements, in combination with a strain gauge mounted on the disk surface, which served to confirm the results obtained. The data of the strain gauge coincided closely with those provided by the optical fiber sensors, thus demonstrating the suitability of this innovative technique to evaluate the vibrational behavior of rotating disks.

Amplified spontaneous emission in graded-index polymer optical fibers: theory and experiment.

In this work we analyze experimentally and theoretically the properties of amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) in a rhodamine-6G-doped graded-index polymer optical fiber. A theoretical model based on the laser rate equations describes the ASE features successfully. The dependence of the ASE threshold and efficiency on fiber length is analyzed in detail.

Proof of concept of impact detection in composites using fiber bragg grating arrays.

Impact detection in aeronautical structures allows predicting their future reliability and performance. An impact can produce microscopic fissures that could evolve into fractures or even the total collapse of the structure, so it is important to know the location and severity of each impact. For this purpose, optical fibers with Bragg gratings are used to analyze each impact and the vibrations generated by them. In this paper it is proven that optical fibers with Bragg gratings can be used to detect impacts, and also that a high-frequency interrogator is necessary to collect valuable information about the impacts. The use of two interrogators constitutes the main novelty of this paper.

Side-illumination fluorescence critical angle: theory and application to F8BT-doped polymer optical fibers.

In this work we have analyzed theoretically and experimentally the critical angle for the emission generated in doped polymer optical fibers as a function of different launching conditions by using the side-illumination fluorescence technique. A theoretical model has been developed in order to explain the experimental measurements. It is shown that both the theoretical and experimental critical angles are appreciably higher than the meridional critical angle corresponding to the maximum acceptance angle for a single source placed at the fiber axis. This increase changes the value of several important parameters in the performance of active fibers. The analysis has been performed in polymer optical fibers doped with a conjugated polymer.

POF-Based Solar Concentrators Incorporating Dyes and Europium Chelates.

In this paper, useful models that enable time-efficient computational analyses of the performance of luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) are developed and thoroughly described. These LSCs are based on polymer optical fibers codoped with organic dyes and/or europium chelates. The interest in such dopants lies in the availability of new dyes with higher quantum yields and in the photostability and suitable absorption and emission bands of europium chelates. Time-efficiency without compromising accuracy is especially important for the simulation of europium chelates, in which non-radiative energy transfers from the absorbing ligands to the europium ion and vice versa are so fast that the discretization in time, in the absence of some simplifying assumptions, would have to be very fine. Some available experimental results are also included for the sake of comparison.

Design of a Sensor Based on Plastic Optical Fibre (POF) to Measure Fluid Flow and Turbidity.

Although many optical fibre applications are based on their capacity to transmit optical signals with low losses, it can also be desirable for the optical fibre to be strongly affected by a certain physical parameter in the environment. In this way, it can be used as a sensor for this parameter. There are many strong arguments for the use of POFs as sensors. In addition to being easy to handle and low cost, they demonstrate advantages common to all multimode optical fibres. These specifically include flexibility, small size, good electromagnetic compatibility behaviour, and in general, the possibility of measuring any phenomenon without physically interacting with it. In this paper, a sensor based on POF is designed and analysed with the aim of measuring the volume and turbidity of a low viscosity fluid, in this case water, as it passes through a pipe. A comparative study with a commercial sensor is provided to validate the proven flow measurement. Likewise, turbidity is measured using different colour dyes. Finally, this paper will present the most significant results and conclusions from all the tests which are carried out.

A self-referencing intensity based polymer optical fiber sensor for liquid detection.

A novel self-referencing fiber optic intensity sensor based on bending losses of a partially polished polymer optical fiber (POF) coupler is presented. The coupling ratio (K) depends on the external liquid in which the sensor is immersed. It is possible to distinguish between different liquids and to detect their presence. Experimental results for the most usual liquids found in industry, like water and oil, are given. K value increases up to 10% from the nominal value depending on the liquid. Sensor temperature dependence has also been studied for a range from 25 °C (environmental condition) to 50 °C. Any sector requiring liquid level measurements in flammable atmospheres can benefit from this intrinsically safe technology.

Coupling losses in perfluorinated multi-core polymer optical fibers.

The aim of the present paper is to provide a comprehensive analysis of coupling losses in perfluorinated (PF) multi-core polymer optical fibers (MC-POFs), which consist of groups of 127 graded-index cores. In our analysis we take into account geometrical, longitudinal, transverse, and angular misalignments. We perform several experimental measurements and computer simulations in order to calculate the coupling losses for a PF MC-POF prototype. Based on these results, we propose several hints of practical interest to the manufacturer which would allow an appropriate connector design in order to handle conveniently the coupling losses incurred when connectorizing two PF MC-POFs.

Fabrication of Active Polymer Optical Fibers by Solution Doping and Their Characterization.

This paper employs the solution-doping technique for the fabrication of active polymer optical fibers (POFs), in which the dopant molecules are directly incorporated into the core of non-doped uncladded fibers. Firstly, we characterize the insertion of a solution of rhodamine B and methanol into the core of the fiber samples at different temperatures, and we show that better optical characteristics, especially in the attenuation coefficient, are achieved at lower temperatures. Moreover, we also analyze the dependence of the emission features of doped fibers on both the propagation distance and the excitation time. Some of these features and the corresponding ones reported in the literature for typical active POFs doped with the same dopant are quantitatively similar among them. This applies to the spectral location of the absorption and the emission bands, the spectral displacement with propagation distance, and the linear attenuation coefficient. The samples prepared in the way described in this work present higher photostability than typical samples reported in the literature, which are prepared in different ways.

Characterization of Chromatic Dispersion and Refractive Index of Polymer Optical Fibers.

The chromatic dispersion and the refractive index of poly(methyl methacrylate) polymer optical fibers (POFs) have been characterized in this work by using a tunable femtosecond laser and a Streak Camera. The characterization technique is based on the measurement of the time delays of light pulses propagating along POFs at different wavelengths. Polymer fibers of three different lengths made by two manufacturers have been employed for that purpose, and discrepancies lower than 3% have been obtained in all cases.

Optical Characterization of Doped Thermoplastic and Thermosetting Polymer-Optical-Fibers.

The emission properties of a graded-index thermoplastic polymer optical fiber and a step-index thermosetting one, both doped with rhodamine 6G, have been studied. The work includes a detailed analysis of the amplified spontaneous emission together with a study of the optical gains and losses of the fibers. The photostability of the emission of both types of fibers has also been investigated. Comparisons between the results of both doped polymer optical fibers are presented and discussed.

Power transmission coefficients for multi-step index optical fibres.

The aim of the present paper is to provide a single analytical expression of the power transmission coefficient for leaky rays in multi-step index (MSI) fibres. This expression is valid for all tunnelling and refracting rays and allows us to evaluate numerically the power attenuation along an MSI fibre of an arbitrary number of layers. We validate our analysis by comparing the results obtained for limit cases of MSI fibres with those corresponding to step-index (SI) and graded-index (GI) fibres. We also make a similar comparison between this theoretical expression and the use of the WKB solutions of the scalar wave equation.

Analysis of intrinsic coupling loss in multi-step index optical fibres.

The main goal of the present paper is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the intrinsic coupling loss for multi-step index (MSI) fibres and compare it with those obtained for step- and graded-index fibres. We investigate the effects of tolerances to each waveguide parameter typical in standard manufacturing processes by carrying out several simulations using the ray-tracing method. The results obtained will serve us to identify the most critical waveguide variations to which fibre manufactures will have to pay closer attention to achieve lower coupling losses.

Investigation and comparison of analytical, numerical, and experimentally measured coupling losses for multi-step index optical fibers.

The aim of the present paper is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the coupling losses in multi-step index (MSI) fibres. Their light power acceptance properties are investigated to obtain the corresponding analytical expressions taking into account longitudinal, transverse, and angular misalignments. For this purpose, a uniform power distribution is assumed. In addition, we perform several experimental measurements and computer simulations in order to calculate the coupling losses for two different MSI polymer optical fibres (MSI-POFs). These results serve us to validate the theoretical expressions we have obtained.

Analysis of a plastic optical fiber-based displacement sensor.

An easy-to-manufacture setup for a displacement sensor based on plastic optical fiber (POF) is analyzed, showing computational and experimental results. If the displacement is the consequence of force or pressure applied to the device, this can be used as a force or pressure transducer. Its principle of operation consists of bending a POF section around a flexible cylinder and measuring light attenuation when the whole set is subjected to side pressure. Attenuations are obtained computationally as a function of side deformation for different design parameters. Experimental results with an actually built prototype are also provided.

Dependence of bending losses on cladding thickness in plastic optical fibers.

Our main goal is to provide a comprehensive explanation of the existing differences in bending losses arising from having step-index multimode plastic optical fibers with different cladding thickness and under different types of conditions, namely, the variable bend radius R, the number of fiber turns, or the fiber diameter. For this purpose, both experimental and numerical result of bending losses are presented for different cladding thicknesses and conditions. For the measurements, two cladding thicknesses have been considered: one finite and another infinite. A fiber in air has a finite cladding thickness, and rays are reflected at the cladding-air interface, whereas a fiber covered by oil is equivalent to having an infinite cladding, since the very similar refractive index of oil prevents reflections from occurring at the cladding-oil interface. For the sake of comparison, numerical simulations based on ray tracing have been performed for finite-cladding step-index multimode waveguides. The numerical results reinforce the experimental data, and both the experimental measurements and the computational simulations turn out to be very useful to explain the behavior of refracting and tunneling rays along bent multimode waveguides and along finite-cladding fibers.