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Method to Suppress Stimulated Brillouin Scattering in Optical Fibers

Detailed Technology Description: Developed by researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, this new fiber optic technology suppresses stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) in fiber laser technologies, making high powered fiber lasers, previously considered inconceivable a reality.

*Abstract

Developed by researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, this new fiber optic technology suppresses stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) in fiber laser technologies, making high powered fiber lasers, previously considered inconceivable a reality.

DESCRIPTION/DETAILS

Stimulated Brillouin Scattering (SBS) is an acoustic-optic interaction that limits the amount of power per unit bandwidth that can be transmitted or produced in a given length of fiber. Random acoustic waves are present in all fibers. Light scattering from these acoustic "phonons" introduces an interference pattern that feeds a coherent traveling acoustic wave. This wave eventually becomes highly reflective and substantially degrades system or laser performance. SBS limits the coherent output power of a typical fiber laser to at least 10 times less than can be achieved without SBS. As a result, coherent fiber lasers lack enough power to become widely marketable. It is also responsible for a very low power per unit bandwidth threshold in very long fiber-optic communication systems, such as in long haul systems.

This new fiber optic technology effectively eliminates SBS at much higher powers, embodied by a patent-pending fiber structure that does not affect the optical signal. Single, high power lasers employing this technology have a series of advantages over current lasers such as a smaller size (<10 cubic inches), portability (<100 grams), and economic (scalability to $10 per Watt).

There are two types of optical fibers that can be derived from this technology:

Laser active fibers
Data transmission fibers

APPLICATIONS

This technology enables the transmission of more power through optical fibers. Markets that have commercial applications for this technology include:

Military Hardware: Bundling SBS-free high-powered fiber lasers will allow the first realization of greater than 100kw-class CW laser arrays. Potential applications include missile defense and battlefield weapons.
Industrial Manufacturing: Reducing SBS enables the use of high-powered fiber lasers, which are more efficient, and economically competitive than CO2 and solid-state lamp-pumped lasers.
Weather Sensors: Fiber-laser based Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) permits continuous weather monitoring, greater accuracy, and reduced operating costs.
Telecommunications: Increased signal power permits either increased signal density or decreased reliance on repeaters.
Research and Development: Decreasing SBS enables coherent fiber-lasers. Coherent fiber-lasers eliminate the need for cooling and increase beam stability, wavelength stability, intensity, efficiency and brightness, resulting in lower cost and greater performance compared to conventional lasers.

For more information about this technology, please contact the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Office of Technology Management at otm@illinois.edu.

Country/Region: USA

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