| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 462418 | Optical Fiber Technology | 2012 | 4 Pages |
A compact all-fiber modal Mach–Zehnder interferometer is presented based on two notches at different locations along normal single-mode fibers by CO2 laser irradiation. Two notches are mode splitter and mode combiner, respectively. This configuration which does not need any troublesome cleaving or aligning process is demonstrated as a bending sensor. The results suggest that the transmission loss varies and the interference fringe shifts with the bending increasing. The fluctuation of temperature dose not affects the shape of the interferometer fringe and transmission. Therefore, the proposed device offers salient advantages of simple fabrication technique and low cost. In addition, a high stability over time was expected since the irradiated notches do not degrade over time or with temperature. Due to its asymmetry, it also possesses higher sensitivity to orientation, which would be a promising unit for sensor applications.
► A Mach-Zehnder modal interferometers was made in single mode fiber by CO2 laser. ► The transmission loss varies and the interference fringe shifts with the bending increment. ► The fluctuation of temperature dose not affects the fringe. ► The ability to fabricate such devices with good repeatability and high stability requires controlling the interference length accurately.
