Ultraviolet pulse transmission in optical fibres

C. Whitehurst, M.R. Dickinson, T.A. King

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Limitations to power transmission arise from optical nonlinearities and physical damage to the fibre core. A transition from macroscopic parameters such as temperature to microscopic effects such as nonlinearities and electron avalanche ionization occurs at pulse peak powers of a few 100 MW cm−2. The onset of nonlinearities in significantly attenuating fibres is independent of wavelength, while surface and bulk damage occur at about 1 GW cm−2 and with wavelength dependencies of λ4 and λ5 respectively. In the u.v., because of the wavelength dependence and photon energies near to ionization/dissociation values, pulse transmission is difficult. This paper explores the limitations of silica fibres for pulsed u.v. transmission and reports photodegradation limits and power density performance characteristics. Technical innovations to extend the operating capabilities of optical fibres for the u.v. are described. These include the use of special designs of input fibre taper sections, to change the damage threshold from that of the surface to that of the bulk, and the design and performance of flexible fluid-filled fibres of increased cross-sectional area.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)371-385
Number of pages15
JournalJOURNAL OF MODERN OPTICS
Volume35
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1988

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