New fibres for new lasers - photonic crystal fibre optics for the delivery of high-power light

Lead Research Organisation: University of Bath
Department Name: Physics

Abstract

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Description We developed optical fibres formed out of silica glass which can be used with low optical losses in the mid-infrared. That is surprising because silica glass is not transparent at those wavelengths. We demonstrated that a specific fibre design can give lower losses at these wavelengths than any other fibre previously fabricated, out of any material.

We also demonstrated that the same basic design can be used at a wide range of wavelengths where it offers advantages in performance but also in simplicity of design.

We have demonstrated that this unique fibre design can be used to form a powerful gas fibre laser using inexpensive telecom-wavelength pump diode
Exploitation Route "Our" fibre designs are the subject of intense investigation by a number of commercial organisations. First products are already becoming available. The intended application is delivery of powerful ultrashort optical pulses in industrial environments.
Sectors Aerospace

Defence and Marine

Agriculture

Food and Drink

Chemicals

Electronics

Energy

Environment

Healthcare

Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology
 
Description French company Glo Photonics are marketing fibres developed and demonstrated during this programme. UK-based Lumenisity is developing products which rely on further development of the concepts demonstrated during this project, and has received significant funding to do so.
Sector Healthcare,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Other
Impact Types Economic
 
Description Responsive mode
Amount £628 (GBP)
Funding ID EP/N02494X/1 
Organisation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 07/2016 
End 07/2019
 
Description Responsive mode
Amount £707,179 (GBP)
Funding ID EP/M025381/1 
Organisation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 11/2015 
End 10/2018
 
Title Dataset for ''Continuous-Wave Mid-Infrared Gas Fiber Lasers'' 
Description The dataset include all necessary data to generate figures 1, 4 (b), 4(c), 5-8 in the associated manuscript, "Continuous-Wave Mid-Infrared Gas Fiber Lasers". These data measure the properties of the lasers under different conditions, including different gas pressures and fiber lengths. 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2018 
Provided To Others? Yes  
 
Title Dataset for mid IR gas laser 
Description The data to generate figures 3 - 8: 1. Csv file (Figure 3(a)): contains the attenuations of the feedback fiber for figure 3(a) ; 2. Csv file (Figure 3(b)): contains the P(9) absorption line for figure 3 (b); 3. Csv file (Figure 4(a)): contains optical spectra for different pump transitions in figure 4(a); 4. Csv file (Figure 5(a)): contains the CW pump power/output power and stability of laser output as a function of time for figure 5(a); 5. Csv file (Figure 5(b)): contains the stability of laser output as a function of time for figure 5(b); 6. Csv file (Figure 5(b) inset): contains the mode profile of 3um laser for figure 5(b) inset; 7. Csv file (Figure 6): contains the Measured output power as a function of pump repetition rate for figure 6; 8. Csv file (Figure 7): contains pump power/output power at selected repetition rates shown in figure 7. 9. Zip file (Figure 8): contains csv file of radio frequency spectra (a), optical spectra (b) and time dependence (c) for the pump (blue) and the laser (red) at selected repetition rates shown in figure 8. 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2016 
Provided To Others? Yes  
 
Description Royal Society Summer Science exhibit 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Exhibit titled "The 100m bubbles" at the Royal Society Summer Science fair. Lead Dr William Wadsworth.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
 
Description Video of science 
Form Of Engagement Activity A magazine, newsletter or online publication
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Generated interest from potential postgraduate students, generated interest from commercial organisations which have become collaborators

Inteernational and Home/EU grad students, interactions with industry
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2013
URL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q444fcUD0BU&feature=youtu.be&noredirect=1