Robust Polymer Planar Bragg Grating Sensors Embedded in Commercial-Grade Composites

Kefer, Stefan; Sauer, Theresia; Hessler, Steffen; Kaloudis, Michael; Schmauß, Bernhard; Hellmann, Ralf

doi:10.3390/polym12030715

Cited by 9 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 32 publications

(32 reference statements)

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“…This yields outstandingly robust polymer-based optical sensors capable of quantifying temperatures up to 160 °C while withstanding exceedingly harsh environmental or processing conditions. [25][26][27][28] Consequently, COC-based PPBGs unambiguously offer superb potential for thermo-optic applications.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tunable Bulk Polymer Planar Bragg Gratings Electrified via Femtosecond Laser Reductive Sintering of CuO Nanoparticles

Kefer

Bischoff

Roth

et al. 2021

Advanced Optical Materials

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This contribution demonstrates and discusses electrically tunable polymer planar Bragg gratings based on bulk cyclic olefin copolymers. A lithographic single‐writing‐step method and femtosecond laser reductive sintering of copper(II) oxide nanoparticles are subsequently employed in order to generate buried photonic structures and copper conducting paths on top of the polymer substrate. This way, the necessary number of process steps for fabricating a planar polymer‐based electro‐optical device is greatly reduced. The response of a fully electrified grating structure follows temperature changes, induced by the copper conducting path, with sensitivities up to −31 pm K−1. Dilatometric measurements show that the specimen's behavior is correlated to the situationally reduced thermal expansion of the bulk polymer substrate. In consequence, the tuning response of the photonic platform follows a second order polynomial, whereas a direct current of 30 mA, which correlates to a power consumption of 18.3 mW, leads to a local temperature increase and a residual Bragg wavelength shift of 19.6 K and −547 pm, respectively. Moreover, the outstanding flexibility of the proposed fabrication concept is underlined by demonstrating alternative conducting path geometries, whereas one of the additional designs is adapted to control the spectral width of the Bragg grating's reflection peak.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tunable Bulk Polymer Planar Bragg Gratings Electrified via Femtosecond Laser Reductive Sintering of CuO Nanoparticles

Kefer

Bischoff

Roth

et al. 2021

Advanced Optical Materials

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“…The challenge is to achieve such capability without compromising the performance of the composite, as comprehensive monitoring capability cannot come at the expense of structural integrity. Here we build upon recently shown feasibility of embedded ultra-thin planar optics, in advanced composite material [5,6] , developing an ultra-thin planar optical switch, that can service optical fibre in a 2x2 configuration. This is the first report of an optoelectronic switch embedded within a laminated composite.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Optical Rerouting in Glass Fibre Composite

Holmes

Godfrey

Mennea

et al. 2021

Preprint

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We demonstrate for the first time the reconfigurability of optical signals within advanced laminated composite. The approach employs an ultra-thin planar optical circuit, embedded within glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) that switches an optical input though Ohmic heating. This advance highlights new opportunities for optical reconfigurability within advanced composites, enabling data transmission redundancy and a consideration of branching optical fibre architectures.

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“…Due to their extraordinary material properties, COC-based PPBGs (COC-PPBGs) are capable of performing temperature measurements up to 160 °C, with a sensitivity of −7.3 pm K −1 [ 23 ], and strain sensing with a sensitivity of 1.2 pm µε −1 [ 24 ]. Furthermore, as of now, they are the only polymer-based Bragg grating sensor able to withstand the integration process into a commercial-grade carbon fiber reinforced polymer, where the PPBG is exposed to a pressure of 7 bar and a temperature of 120 °C, for a duration of two hours [ 25 ]. Moreover, in combination with functional coatings, COC-PPBGs have shown distinct potential in refractive index and hydrogen sensing applications [ 26 , 27 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microstructure-Based Fiber-To-Chip Coupling of Polymer Planar Bragg Gratings for Harsh Environment Applications

Kefer

Sauer

Hessler

et al. 2020

Sensors

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This article proposes and demonstrates a robust microstructure-based fiber-to-chip coupling scheme for planar Bragg grating devices. A polymer planar Bragg grating substrate is manufactured and microstructured by means of a micromilling process, while the respective photonic structures are generated by employing a sophisticated single-writing UV-exposure method. A stripped standard single mode fiber is inserted into the microstructure, which is filled with a UV-curable adhesive, and aligned with the integrated waveguide. After curing, final sensor assembly and thermal treatment, the proposed coupling scheme is capable of withstanding pressures up to 10 bar, at room temperature, and pressures up to 7.5 bar at an elevated temperature of 120 °C. Additionally, the coupling scheme is exceedingly robust towards tensile forces, limited only by the tensile strength of the employed single mode fiber. Due to its outstanding robustness, the coupling scheme enables the application of planar Bragg grating devices in harsh environments. This fact is underlined by integrating a microstructure-coupled photonic device into the center of a commercial-grade carbon fiber-reinforced polymer specimen. After its integration, the polymer-based Bragg grating sensor still exhibits a reflection peak with a dynamic range of 24 dB, and can thus be employed for sensing purposes.

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Robust Polymer Planar Bragg Grating Sensors Embedded in Commercial-Grade Composites

Cited by 9 publications

References 32 publications

Tunable Bulk Polymer Planar Bragg Gratings Electrified via Femtosecond Laser Reductive Sintering of CuO Nanoparticles

Tunable Bulk Polymer Planar Bragg Gratings Electrified via Femtosecond Laser Reductive Sintering of CuO Nanoparticles

Optical Rerouting in Glass Fibre Composite

Microstructure-Based Fiber-To-Chip Coupling of Polymer Planar Bragg Gratings for Harsh Environment Applications

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