Multichannel fiber Bragg grating for temperature field monitoring.

We demonstrate a multichannel fiber Bragg grating (MC-FBG) based distributed temperature field sensor with millimeter-order spatial resolution. The MC-FBG was designed by using the layer peeling (LP) algorithm with a tailored group delay characteristic and fabricated using seamless UV-inscription. We have achieved a 21-channel MC-FBG with 0.2 nm bandwidth of each channel and 0.5 nm channel gap. The sensor was tested by using a temperature field distribution. Experimental results show that the sensor had a spatial resolution of 3 mm and could measure a maximum temperature gradient of 7.85 °C/mm.

In situ measurement and reconstruction in three dimensions of femtosecond inscription-induced complex permittivity modification in glass.

We demonstrate a new approach to in situ measurement of femtosecond-laser-pulse-induced changes in glass, enabling the three-dimensional reconstruction of the induced complex permittivity modification. The technique can be used to provide single-shot and time-resolved quantitative measurements with a micrometer-scale spatial resolution.

Optically tunable fiber grating transmission filters.

We propose and demonstrate single- and multiple-passband fiber grating transmission filters that are remotely tunable by exploitation of the optical pump-induced thermal effects in Er/Yb-codoped fiber sections. A repeatable, wavelength-independent induced phase shift of 0.1 pi/mW is obtained without hysteresis and anisotropic effects. A transmission extinction ratio of >23 dB with a 3-mW change in pump power is achieved.

Helium vs carbon dioxide gas insufflation with or without saline lavage during laparoscopy.

BACKGROUND: Helium is an inert gas that, if used for insufflation during laparoscopy, may be followed by less postoperative pain than carbon dioxide (CO2) insufflation, due to a more limited effect on intraabdominal pH and metabolism. Saline lavage has also recently been shown to reduce postoperative pain following laparoscopic surgery. To evaluate these possibilities and to better define the clinical safety of helium insufflation, we undertook a prospective randomized trial comparing CO2 and helium insufflation with or without saline lavage in patients undergoing elective laparoscopic upper abdominal surgery. METHODS: From January to November 2000, 173 patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy or fundoplication were randomized to undergo laparoscopy with either CO2 or helium insufflation. Within each group, patients were further randomized to undergo peritoneal lavage with 2 L of 0.9% saline at the end of the surgical procedure. This yielded the following four patient groups; CO2 (group 1, n = 47), CO2 + saline lavage (group 2, n = 43), helium (group 3, n = 43) and helium + saline lavage (group 4, n = 40). Patients were blinded to their randomization, and post-operative assessment was also performed by a blinded investigator, who applied a standardized scoring system to assess postoperative pain. RESULTS: The study groups were well matched for age, sex, weight, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) status, duration of surgery, and volume of gas utilized, and 81% of patients were discharged within 48 h. There were no differences in the incidence of postoperative complications among the study groups, and postoperative pain scores were not significantly different when all four groups were compared. When helium (groups 3 and 4) was compared with CO2 (groups 1 and 2), no differences in pain score were seen. When no lavage (groups 1 and 3) was compared with lavage (groups 2 and 4), less pain was found in the group undergoing saline peritoneal lavage (mean 4-h pain score, 5.9 vs 5.2; 24-h pain score, 4.8 vs 4.1; p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The use of helium insufflation for laparoscopic surgery, while not associated with any significant adverse sequelae, was not associated with less postoperative pain in this trial. The use of saline peritoneal lavage was associated with less pain in the early postoperative period.

Abnormal spectral evolution of fiber Bragg gratings in hydrogenated fibers.

We report the observation of abnormal spectral evolution in regenerated fiber Bragg gratings in hydrogenated B-Ge-codoped and standard telecom fiber with UV overexposure. The behavior of this new type of regenerated grating, which we have designated type IA, contrasts with that of the previously reported type IIA grating in nonhydrogenated fiber by exhibiting a large redshift in Bragg wavelength with increasing exposure of as much as 18 nm from a strong (16-dB) regenerated grating in B-Ge fiber.