Step-Index PMMA Fibers and Their Applications

Fast wavelength conversion to generate 560 nm fluorescence for data transmission in polymer optical fibres

“…The used receiver was an Si photodetector with a 10 kΩ transimpedance gain amplifier. The launched pulses of 35 ns time width widen up to 35.6 ns in agreement with the 50–100 MHz/100 m product typical of those POFs [1, 2]. Therefore the choice of 10 MHz and 35 ns is because it is compatible with the typical available analogue bandwidth of 10–20 MHz for the 500 m POF length.…”

“…Either step‐index (SI) or graded‐index poly‐methyl‐methacrylate (PMMA)‐based POFs have four transmission windows assigned as blue, green, yellow/orange (560–600 nm) and red [1, 2]. However, the minimum attenuation band in the 560–600 nm wavelength range is quite underexplored for data communication links [1–4] due to the fact that semiconductor compounds such as GaAsP, AlGaInP and GaP:N cannot be used to produce relatively efficient and/or fast modulating optical sources at those wavelength range. Thus, WDM‐over‐POF links generally discard the use of yellow/orange channels [1, 2, 5].…”

“…This Letter shows for the first time, experimental results on the use of a commercial fluorescent plastic optical fibre (FPOF) pumped with blue or green LEDs to carry out fast wavelength conversion close to the 570 nm wavelength where the PMMA POFs have a minimum optical attenuation of ≅70 dB/km [1–4]. The aim is to develop a simple, eye‐safe, compact, lightweight and inexpensive modulating device intended to explore the 560–570 nm wavelengths for single channel or WDM data transmissions along PMMA‐based POF links.…”

Rapid On-Site Formation of a Free-Standing Flexible Optical Link for Sensing Applications

“…If high flexibility, low-cost and robustness are added to these features, the versatility and range of sensing applications of this type of waveguiding devices increase significantly. Plastic optical fibers (POFs) are probably the most representative example of the successful application of flexible free-standing waveguides to the sensors field [5,6]. …”

“…In the case of POFs, fiber connection to light emitters and receivers is achieved via the butt coupling method. Although the large core diameters of POFs (typically, 0.5 mm–1 mm) facilitate light coupling, specialized fiber termination procedures (such as cutting and polishing) and tools are required, and bulky connectors or focusing discrete optical elements are used as link terminations [6]. This makes the establishment of rapid connections by untrained (non-technical) users or without the proper apparatus difficult.…”