Optimum parameters for CO/sub 2/ laser-assisted poling of optical fibers

CO/sub 2/ laser-assisted poling is a new technique that potentially allows rapid poling and spatially selective poling. The effect of scan-rate, multiple scans, and power fluctuations on CO/sub 2/ laser-assisted poling were investigated. For a beam irradiance of 52 W /spl middot/ cm/sup -2/ the minimum necessary dwell time was 0.55 s; multiple scans have no effect unless the poling conditions are changed. CO/sub 2/ laser-assisted poling was found to be sensitive to perturbations such as laser power fluctuations, which were detrimental. Under optimized conditions the maximum electrooptic coefficient achieved was 0.4 pm/V. Fiber devices up to 90 cm in length have been poled.