Optimum parameters for CO2 laser-assisted poling of optical fibers

CO2 laser-assisted poling is a new technique that potentially allows rapid poling and spatially selective poling.,The effect of scan-rate, multiple scans, and power fluctuations on CO2 laser-assisted poling were investigated. For a beam irradiance of 52 W (.) cm(-2) the minimum necessary dwell time was 0.55 s; multiple scans have no effect unless the poling conditions are changed. CO2 laser-assisted poling was; found to be sensitive to perturbations such as laser power fluctuations; which were detrimental. Under optimized conditions the maximum electrooptic coefficient achieved was 0.4 pm/V Fiber devices up to 90 cm in length have been poled.