Magnetic Annealing of Polarization Maintaining (PM) Fibers for Increased Tensile Strength and Bend Insensitivity

An innovative method to improve both the optical and mechanical properties of polarization maintaining fiber is proposed. The method uses magnetic annealing to improve the extinction ratio, optical loss, bend insensitivity and the tensile strength. The phase I effort will demonstrate proof of the concept. In Phase 11, the process variables will be optimized to give the greatest increase in peformance. The treated fiber will have application in a wide variety of commercial and military applications from fiber optic gyros to telecommunications. Anticipated Benefits/Potential Applications - Benefits of the proposed improved PM fiber will include but not be limited to higher strength, higher polarization holding ability, and lower cost for PM fiber. This will allow for smaller and less expensive PM fiber applications such as telecommunications (HDTV) and sensors (fiber optic gyroscope).