Thermal Poling of Optical Fibers: A Numerical History

Abstract

This review gives a perspective of the thermal poling technique throughout its chronological evolution, starting in the early 1990s when the first observation of the permanent creation of a second order non-linearity inside a bulk piece of glass was reported. We then discuss a number of significant developments in this field, focusing particular attention on working principles, numerical analysis and theoretical advances in thermal poling of optical fibers, and conclude with the most recent studies and publications by the authors. Our latest works show how in principle, optical fibers of any geometry (conventional step-index, solid core microstructured, etc) and of any length can be poled, thus creating an advanced technological platform for the realization of all-fiber quadratic non-linear photonics.

Editorial for the Special Issue on Nonlinear Photonics Devices

“…This limitation has been overcome by the introduction, almost 30 years ago, of the technique of thermal poling. The article by De Lucia and Sazio [8] focuses on the logical and chronological development of 2D numerical models, with the aim of explaining in the best possible dynamics of evolution of the poling process. The authors have also identified the single-anode configuration as the most effective method for thermal poling, in terms of both the absolute value of the created quadratic non-linearity and of simplification of the fabrication constraints.…”