title: Arc-discharge effects on residual stress and refractive index in single-mode optical fibers.
abstract: Arc-discharge effects on the residual stress and refractive index in single-mode optical fibers are investigated using a previously developed three-dimensional concurrent stress-index measurement method. Using commercial optical fibers and a commercial fusion splicer, the residual stress and refractive index perturbations caused by weak electrical arc discharges in single-mode fibers were measured. Refractive index changes greater than 10-4and longitudinal perturbation lengths of less than 500 μm were shown to be possible. The subsequent prospects for arc-induced long-period fiber gratings are analyzed, and a typical transmission resonance is predicted to have a depth of 56 dB and a bandwidth of 0.08 nm at a wavelength of 1585 nm. The results of this investigation will be useful in modeling device performance and optimization of arc-induced long-period fiber grating fabrication.
authors.forename: Pengfei
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Micah H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Jenkins
authors.forename: Thomas K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Gaylord