Photonics applications: fiber-optics

Abstract This chapter reviews the development of optical fiber probe Raman systems and their applications in life science and pharmaceutical studies. Especially, it is focused on miniaturized Raman probes which open new era in the spectroscopy of the life forms. The chapter also introduces the important optical properties of conventional optical fibers to use for Raman probes, as well as new types of optical fiber and devices, such as hollow optical fibers and photonic crystai fibers. 

Applications of fiber-optic pH sensors in environmental analysis, biomedical research, medical monitoring, and industrial process control have been reviewed by Lin [67]. A multitude of luminescent systems for pH monitoring are commercially available, mostly under special trademarks. Pyrene [68-70], coumarin, bromothymol blue [71] and fluorescein [72-74] derivatives are typical examples that have been used in research in the past two decades. Carboxyfluorescein derivatives have been directly applied to skin tissue samples for the lifetime imaging of pH gradients in the extracellular matrix of the epidermis [75]. Two-photon excitation microscopy became an estab-... 

In terms of ceramic photonic crystals, as noted, opaline silica structures have dominated research activities and the publication and patent literature. In more recent years, significant efforts have developed in the fabrication, modeling, and application of optical fibers in which some degree of dielectric periodicity is... 

Du HH et al (ed/chair) (2005) Photonic crystals and photonic crystal fibers for sensing applications, Bostrai, Massachusetts, USA, 24-25 October 2005 (sponsored and published by SPIE -The Intranational Society for Optical Engineering)... 

However, there are several obstacles to their use in practical photonic applications. Single-mode optical waveguides are required for telecommunication systems to allow matching with single-mode fibers. The stability [15] and relatively high optical propagation loss have also been obstacles to utilizing the polymers for photonic applications. 

Photopolymerizations, which use light energy (photons) to initiate chain reactions to form polymer materials, are the basis for a growing, billion-dollar industry (1,2). Applications in which photopolymerization is used include films and coatings, inks, adhesives, fiber optics, and dentistry (2-5). Each of these industries has benefited from the high productivity and lower costs afforded by photopolymerization systems. 

Schmitt K, Hoffmann C (2010) High-refractive-index waveguide platforms for chemical emd biosensing. In Zourob M, Lakhtakia A (eds) Chemical sensors and biosensors methods and applications. Springer, Berlin, pp 21-54 Selvarajan A, Asoundi A (1995) Photonics, fiber optic sensors and their applications in smart structures. J Non-Destruct... 

Xing, L., Gino, R., Muthukumaran, P. Ion, S. [2004]. Polyimide-based fiber optic humidity sensor. Proceedings of SPIE, Photonics North 2004 Photonic Applications in Telecommunications, Sensors, Software, and Lasers, Vol. 5579, SPIE, Ottawa, Canada, pp. 205-212. 

Much of the technology we use daily is based on optics and photonics, thus on light and its interaction with matter. CD, DVD, and Blue Ray players and recorders, barcode scanners, digital cameras, liquid crystal displays, fiber optics communication, lasers, household and street lightning, car lights, paints, dyes, inks, laser printers are a few of many more examples. In each of these applications, many years of research and development were spent. A significant portion of that was optical characterization. 

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