FemtoFBG
A Laser Workstation for Fiber Bragg Gratings Writing
FemtoFBG is a laser micromachining workstation optimized for fiber Bragg gratings (FBG) writing. It is a perfect choice for scientific laboratories, R&D centers, and industrial clients working with fiber lasers, distributed sensors, and telecommunications.
Femtosecond FBG writing is a proven technology for universal Bragg Gratings writing in various optical fibers, including not UV-sensitized fibers.
The main advantage of the femtosecond laser writing unlimited length or structure of Bragg grating is not using a phase mask. Femtosecond lasers can be applied for Point-by-Point (PbP) and Line-by-Line (LbL) for up to 2nd order FBGs writing in various optical fibers, including multicore fibers. The smallest pitch in PbP writing is ~1 µm.
Femtosecond FBG writing using a phase mask enables long-term modifications that are impossible with Excimer lasers.
Configurations
| Standard | Advanced | Custom | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Micromachining technologies | Direct laser writing | Direct laser writing, Mask writing | The system can include fiber drilling, marking, and other functionalities |
| Laser | Single-wavelength | Dual-wavelength | Design wavelengths/wavelengths can be chosen, including integration of the customer’s provided laser source |
| FBG writing options | Point-by-Point (PbP) writing, Line-by-Line (LbL) writing, Apodized gratings | Point-by-Point (PbP) writing, Line-by-Line (LbL) writing, Apodized gratings, FBGs are written using a phase mask | Optional interferometric technique |
| Fibers | Single-mode fibers, multicore fibers | Versatile | Versatile |
| Maximum fiber diameter | 1 mm | Customer’s choice | Customer’s choice |
| Maximum working range | 50x50x5 | 50x100x35 | Up to 300×300 |
| Flat samples processing | Included | Included | Included |
| Fiber core autofocus | – | Digital | Digital |
| Fiber tension control | – | Included | Holder designed according to individual requirements |
| Polarization control | – | Motorized | Motorized Linear Polarization rotation, Circular, Elliptical, Azimuthal, other |
| Writing | With positioning system | With positioning system and/or scanning unit | Positioning and scanning units can be chosen by the customer |
| Power control | Integrated external control | Integrated external control | Option for real-time pulse energy measurement |
| Vibration control | Passive | Antivibration isolation | Passive/Acitve |
Main Features
- Direct writing (point-by-point, line-by-line, plane-by-plane)
- Precise reflection/transmission spectrum control
- Direct writing without immersion oil
- Ultra-long FBGs
- Apodized Bragg Gratings
- Variety of optical fibers (single-mode, dual-cladding, multi-core, etc.)
- Femtosecond FBG writing with a phase mask
- Writing through the cladding – no need to strip the fibers before FBG inscription.
- All fiber types – no need for UV photosensitivity.
- Easy process tuning for different gratings – the mask is not required.
- Virtually no system maintenance costs compared to excimer laser-based system.