Regenerated gratings

Strong regenerated gratings with a maximum grating strength exceeding (40-50) dB are fabricated inside an optical fibre by bulk macro thermal processing similar to 900 degrees C using a UV-laser seeded Bragg grating. Further annealing between 1000 degrees C and 1100 degrees C leads to a stabilised grating similar to 18 dB in strength. This suffers no further degradation at 1100 degrees C for the period monitored, over 4 hours. The potential resolution of this process is demonstrated by regenerating two complex profiles. Phase information is retained between seed and regenerated structures. This opens the way for nano-engineering of materials using thermal processing and seed templates. [DOI: 10.2971/jeos.2009.09052