In-line fiber-optic components using Langmuir-Blodgett films

Abstract

Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films of omega-tricosenoic acid are deposited onto side-polished optical fibers, resulting in wavelength-selective elements. The wavelength response is shown to be strongly dependent on film thickness, giving a shift in central wavelength with film thickness of Deltalambda(0)/Deltad = 2.4, in agreement with a simple phasematching model. It is demonstrated that an alternative polishing technique, requiring no substrates or epoxy, allows more repeatable LB deposition and produces devices with similar characteristics. This is the only technique that will allow deposition of more complex electro-optic LB film-forming molecules.