ASE and photostability measurements in dye doped step index, graded index and hollow polymer optical fiber

• SI, GI and hollow types dye doped POFs were fabricated.
• ASE and photodegradation phenomena were studied for all 3 fibers.
• Rh6G doped hollow POF shows maximum line narrowing for a given pump power.
• Redshift in ASE will allow a limited range of tuning of emission wavelength.
• GI POF has the maximum endurance at a given pump power.

Three categories of polymer optical fibers viz., step index (SI), graded index (GI) and hollow types doped with Rhodamine 6G (Rh6G) at specific concentrations were fabricated to study their optical properties. Detailed measurements were made to understand the amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) and photodegradation phenomena in these polymer optic fiber (POF) systems. Rh6G doped hollow POF shows maximum line narrowing for a given pump power at 532 nm when side illumination technique is employed. A redshift in ASE has been observed when propagation length is increased allowing a limited range of tuning of emission wavelength. Photostability studies show that GI POF has the maximum endurance at a given pump power.