Characterization and simulation of long period gratings fabricated using electric discharge

We report the characterization and theoretical simulation of long period gratings fabricated using electric arc discharge in two different fibers namely, SMF-28 ( Δ=0.0036) and DSF ( Δ=0.009). We show that this technique can efficiently fabricate gratings with required strength of coupling on both fiber types by choosing appropriate arc current and duration of the arc. We compare the transmission spectra of the fabricated gratings to the theoretically simulated plots and find the equivalent refractive index modulation created in the grating. Unlike the case of UV-induced gratings, the resonance wavelength in these gratings depends only on the period and is independent of the arc current that is controlled to achieve different refractive index modulations. Thus this technique enables easy and independent control of the fiber parameters.