Fibre Bragg grating prototype service

Technical service highlights

Fibre Bragg grating (FBG) is an optical filtering device inscribed within the core of an optical fibre which reflects light of a specific wavelength, dependent on the inscribed grating period.

With our fully equipped laboratories, laser systems - including 4 femtosecond pulse duration Titanium Sapphire regenerative amplifiers - we are uniquely positioned to work with companies from a broad spectrum of industries to keep you at the leading edge of technology advancement.

Our FBG technology is simple and inexpensive to make, easy to decode, creates no electrical noise and is immune to electromagnetic interference.

Due to its simplicity, our FBG technology has been easily integrated into existing optical fibre communication networks to expand network capacity. It is also uniquely suited as a temperature and stress sensor since the grating period can be easily affected by heat and strain.

Next generation FBG technology, based on the NRC's patented femtosecond laser inscription techniques, can be used in extreme environments of temperature, pressure and radiation.

Featured

• The Harsh environment sensing video shows the use of fibre Bragg gratings (FBG) in difficult environments.

What we offer

The NRC's FBG Prototype Service offers comprehensive access to experts, facilities and extensive networks.

We can design the gratings that you require, based upon your unique specifications.

We are perfectly positioned to tackle your most difficult technical challenges and we are open to working closely with you on any new FBG device prototyping requirements.

Our team will keep you at the forefront of FBG technology development and application:

• We have developed next-generation FBGs. They are ideal for high-temperature optical sensors, or intrinsic laser cavity mirrors in exotic optical fibres for unusual or high-power fibre laser applications.
• We are engaged in an extensive development program examining the sensing applications of ultrafast laser-induced grating structures in optical fibre and planar light-wave circuits.

Other potential applications include:

• laser sources for medical and remote sensing applications
• gratings manufacturing for the telecom market, bypassing several processing steps that reduce device yield (stripping/recoating, hydrogen loading).

Why work with us?

Canada's fibre Bragg grating (FBG) group invented FBG technology in the 1970s. With the transfer of this group from the Communications Research Centre Canada to the NRC in 2013, the NRC is now a world leader in this technical field and we continue to push the boundaries of FBG technology for our clients in new and exciting ways

The first generation of the technology was licensed to over 30 companies globally, creating a FBG manufacturing industry. Our group has 18 patents related to ultrafast laser inscribed FBG technology; 15 that have been issued. Some of those patents have been licensed.

The NRC is now a world leader in FBG technology and is well-established in the Canadian-based fibre Bragg grating component manufacturing industry. We work with small and large manufacturers as well as with other federal government departments.

We offer the infrastructure, personnel, equipment, experience and networking capabilities that you need to advance your development and business goals. Our development keeps us and you at the leading edge of technology advancement. And we offer valuable access to the NRC's broader, world-class technological and innovative capability, and extensive networks.

Fees

We are flexible in our approach to business engagement. Please contact us today to discuss how our experts and networks can help advance your development and business objectives.