High temperature behavior of femtosecond laser photo-inscribed micro-voids

Fiber Bragg gratings are widely used for optical sensing applications, including their deployment in harsh environments. The use of Type III femtosecond gratings shows a prominent interest due to their ability to withstand very high temperatures (over 1000°C for 100's of hours). These Type III fiber Bragg gratings correspond to a periodic structure of micro-voids generated by femtosecond-laser in silica-based optical fibers, fabricated by the point-by-point technique. The physicochemical characteristics of the micro-voids were investigated by quantitative phase microscopy technique and their thermal stability monitored through isochronal annealing experiments up to 1250°C.