Manufacture and characterization of long period gratings (LPG) for mounting an optical fiber Mach-Zehnder interferometer

Abstract

The current short-term project aims to improve the theoretical and experimental knowledge about interferometric sensors based on long period gratings (LPG) in optical fiber as part of the master's research project "Optical fiber accelerometer based on Mach-Zehnder interferometer with long period gratings". It is intended, in the present research internship project at INESC, the accomplishment of experimental work, with emphasis on fabrication training of LPGs by arc-induced and also by following the process of fabrication using a femtosecond laser, and subsequent assembly and characterization of a Mach-Zenhder (M-Z) interferometer intrinsic on the optical fiber. It is also intended to accomplish performance comparison of these LPGs with LPGs manufactured by conventional manufacturing method (performed with argon CW laser at IEAv), as well as a comparison of the manufacturing methods. After returning to Brazil, with the acquired knowledge, it is believed that the student will have enough experience to complete the master's work, using the M-Z interferometer to measure acceleration. (AU)