Mechanically Induced Long Period Gratings: Recent Progresses

Recently, the application of 3D printing or additive manufacturing for photonics and optics components has gained huge attention due to a wide range of benefits, including customization, rapid prototyping, complex designs, miniaturization, cost-effectiveness, and on-demand manufacturing, driving innovation and expanding the capabilities of optical systems across various domains. In this framework, we report about fiber optic-based devices achieved with the support of stereolithography (SLA) printing technique. Specifically, long period gratings (LPG) have been mechanically induced in different optical fibers through a 3D printed nearly sinusoidal grooved structure. LPGs have been mechanically induced in several optical fibers, ranging from standard to unconventional ones with exotic structures (microstructured) and dopants (Phosphorous, etc.). A comprehensive analysis of their performance has been thus performed, to evaluate how different parameters like applied weight and fiber coating affect the spectra in 1100-1700 nm wavelength range. As a result, these mechanically induced LPGs exhibit excellent spectral characteristics, demonstrating minimal power losses and steep attenuation bands. Importantly, the proposed fabrication method is cost-effective, easy to implement and enables rapid prototyping. By investigating various models of optical fibers, each with distinct geometrical and physical features, we have opened new possibilities for utilizing these devices in sensing field and communication applications.