SGER: Microstructured Tellurite Fibers Produced by Extrusion for Nonlinear Optical Applications

Lehigh University, Bethlehem PA

Investigators

Abstract

In this project, we are taking advantage of the superior optical and chemical properties of tellurite glasses to produce microstructured fibers using extrusion. Extrusion is a very versatile technique for the fabrication of fibers composed of soft glasses, i.e. with low melting temperatures. It will facilitate a relatively easy exploration of several different optical microstructure design simply by changing the die. The nonlinear optical properties of several new optical microstructures (nonlinear index, stimulated Raman scattering and Four Wave Mixing) will be characterized. The outcome of the work will be the determination of the key features that provide a tight confinement of the light, (for highest optical densities and higher nonlinearities) and a flat dispersion (necessary for phase matching in nonlinear optical processes). In this project, we are exploring a new method to fabricate novel optical fibers with extrusion. Because of their microstructure, these fibers possess unique (nonlinear) optical properties that can be used in applications ranging from medical imaging to optical communications. Extrusion is a well known technique for the forming of metals which will be applied to soft glasses for the fabrication of these novel fibers.