1st Edition

Polymer Fiber Optics Materials, Physics, and Applications

By Mark G. Kuzyk Copyright 2007
    430 Pages 244 B/W Illustrations
    by CRC Press

    This straightforward text examines the scientific principles, characterization techniques, and fabrication methods used to design and produce high quality optical fibers. Polymer Fiber Optics: Materials, Physics, and Applications focuses on the fundamental concepts that will continue to play a role in future research and applications.

    This book documents the underlying physics of polymer fibers, particularly aspects of light interaction, and details the practical considerations for a broad range of characterization techniques used to investigate new phenomena. The book presents basic fabrication techniques and protocols that will likely remain useful as new advances address specific processing challenges. The author presents a fresh approach to standard derivations, using numerous figures and diagrams to break down complex concepts and illustrate theoretical calculations. The final chapters draw attention to the latest directions in research and novel applications, including photomechanical actuation, electro-optic fibers, and smart materials.

    HISTORY OF POLYMER OPTICAL FIBERS
    Introduction
    Using Light for Telecommunications
    Glass Fibers
    Polymer Fibers
    The Future

    LIGHT PROPAGATION IN A FIBER WAVEGUIDE
    Introduction
    Bound Modes of Step-Index Fibers
    Multimode Waveguides
    Ray Propagation in a Graded-Index Medium
    Directional Couplers
    Conclusion
    Acknowledgments

    FABRICATING FIBERS
    Making Polymer Fibers by Extrusion
    Making Polymer Fiber by Drawing a Preform
    Birefringence of Drawn Fibers
    Mechanical Properties of Fibers

    THEORY OF REFRACTIVE INDEX AND LOSS
    Refractive Index
    Optical Loss
    Bending Loss
    Dispersion
    A Practical Example
    Polarization

    CHARACTERIZATION TECHNIQUES AND PROPERTIES
    Refractive Index
    Optical Loss
    Numerical Aperture
    Bandwidth

    TRANSMISSION, LIGHT SOURCES, AND AMPLIFIERS
    Transmission
    Displays
    Optical Amplification and Lasing

    OPTICAL SWITCHING
    Electrooptic Switching
    All-Optical Switching

    STRUCTURED FIBERS AND SPECIALTY APPLICATIONS
    Bragg Gratings
    Advanced Structured Fibers
    Photorefraction
    Stress and Temperature Sensors
    Chemical Sensors
    Appendix - Coupled Wave Equation

    SMART FIBERS AND MATERIALS
    Smart Materials
    Photomechanical Effects
    The Future of Smart Photonic Materials

    CONCLUSION

    Bibliography
    Index

    Biography

    Kuzyk, Mark G.

    "This book covers extensively all the new technology regarding polymer optical fibers as well as silica-based optical glass fibers…the writing style is excellent…"
    - Un-Chul Paek, Chaired Professor of Information and Communications, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Korea

    "This book presents a lucid narrative on a broad range of topics pertaining to fundamental physics issues that underlie the foundations of fiber optics, characterization techniques, and many important materials processing protocols… The incredible breadth of topics discussed goes well beyond the typical book on fibers, and covers new groundbreaking areas such as smart photomechanical materials and fiber-based switching devices. I highly recommend this book as an excellent reference, a resource to students studying fiber optics and to seasoned experts who will enjoy the fresh approach to old topics…"
    - David Welker, President, Paradigm Optics, Vancouver

    "…Comprehensive, well written, original, and both broad and deep in scope… Knowing [Dr. Kuzyk] as I do, the high quality and superb exposition were a given... I'm certain the upcoming generation of scientists, as well as experienced practitioners of polymer fiber optics will appreciate this book for years to come…"

    -Rick Lytel, ISR, Inc., Mountain View, California