This PDF file contains the front matter associated with SPIE Proceedings Volume 8010, including the Title Page, Copyright information, Table of Contents, Introduction, and Conference Committee listing.

In this paper, the authors, chairs of the 13th Conference on Optical Fibers and Their Applications OFA2011, and editors of the conference proceedings summarize the developments of optical fiber technology in Poland (during the period of 2009-2011) on the basis of papers presented there and consecutively published in this volume. The digest is, thus, not full but covers the periodically presented material every 18 months during the meetings on optical fibers in Bialystok-Bialowieza (with emphasis on applications) and Lublin-Krasnobrod (with emphasis on technologies).

In this paper, there is presented a review of our today's understanding of the ultimately broadband photonic Internet. A simple calculation is presented showing the estimate of the throughput of the core photonic network branches. Optoelectronic components, circuits, systems and signals, together with analogous electronic entities and common software layers, are building blocks of the contemporary Internet. Participation of photonics in development of the physical layer in the future Internet will probably increase. The photonics leads now to a better usage of the available bandwidth (increase of the spectral efficiency measured in Bit/s/Hz), increase in the transmission rate (from Gbps, via Tbps up to probably Pbps), increase in the transmission distance without signal regeneration (in distortion compensated active optical cables), increase in energy/power efficiency measured in W/Gbps, etc. Photonics may lead, in the future, to fully transparent optical networks and, thus, to essential increase in bandwidth and network reliability. It is expected that photonics (with biochemistry, electronics and mechatronics) may build psychological and physiological interface for humans to the future global network. The following optical signal multiplexing methods were considered, which are possible without O/E/O conversion: TDM-OTDM, FDM-CO-OFDM, OCDM-OCDMA, WDM-DWDM.

In this paper, there is presented a review of our today's understanding of the ultimately broadband photonic Internet. A simple calculation is presented showing the estimate of the throughput of the core photonic network branches. Optoelectronic components, circuits, systems and signals, together with analogous electronic entities and common software layers, are building blocks of the contemporary Internet. Participation of photonics in development of the physical layer in the future Internet will probably increase. The photonics leads now to a better usage of the available bandwidth (increase of the spectral efficiency measured in Bit/s/Hz), increase in the transmission rate (from Gbps, via Tbps up to probably Pbps), increase in the transmission distance without signal regeneration (in distortion compensated active optical cables), increase in energy/power efficiency measured in W/Gbps, etc. Photonics may lead, in the future, to fully transparent optical networks and, thus, to essential increase in bandwidth and network reliability. It is expected that photonics (with biochemistry, electronics and mechatronics) may build psychological and physiological interface for humans to the future global network. The following optical signal multiplexing methods were considered, which are possible without O/E/O conversion: TDM-OTDM, FDM-CO-OFDM, OCDM-OCDMA, WDM-DWDM.

In this paper, there is presented a review of our today's understanding of the ultimately broadband photonic Internet. A simple calculation is presented showing the estimate of the throughput of the core photonic network branches. Optoelectronic components, circuits, systems and signals, together with analogous electronic entities and common software layers, are building blocks of the contemporary Internet. Participation of photonics in development of the physical layer in the future Internet will probably increase. The photonics leads now to a better usage of the available bandwidth (increase of the spectral efficiency measured in Bit/s/Hz), increase in the transmission rate (from Gbps, via Tbps up to probably Pbps), increase in the transmission distance without signal regeneration (in distortion compensated active optical cables), increase in energy/power efficiency measured in W/Gbps, etc. Photonics may lead, in the future, to fully transparent optical networks and, thus, to essential increase in bandwidth and network reliability. It is expected that photonics (with biochemistry, electronics and mechatronics) may build psychological and physiological interface for humans to the future global network. The following optical signal multiplexing methods were considered, which are possible without O/E/O conversion: TDM-OTDM, FDM-CO-OFDM, OCDM-OCDMA, WDM-DWDM.

This paper presents the multimode passive optical network for LAN (Local Area Network) application. These networks should be cheaper and more usable than single-mode structures. The paper presents possibilities of commercial application of multimode passive networks.

In the presented paper we show a concept of the UDWDM system using multifrequency optical source with an acoustooptic frequency shifter as a key module. Original simulation results of the systems with very stable 3.125 and 6.25 GHz channel separation are presented.

Applications of the semiconductor optical amplifier based Mach-Zehnder Interferometer wavelength converter to alloptical QAM signal generation is analyzed. The presented results indicate excellent applicability of the SOA-MZI to QAM signal generation.

This article presents the construction and measurement results for parallel and serial networks of fibre threshold sensors used to measure pressure, liquid level, temperature and smoke concentration. The measurement heads in the applied sensors take advantage of the following phenomena: bending loss, disturbance in the total internal reflection and transmission changes in the fibre couplings.

The advantage of fiber optic data transmission systems is their insensitivity to electromagnetic radiation, in which the optical fiber. Some exemplary applications of fiber optic transmission in power electronics and electric drives which due to their specific job bring significant electromagnetic interference. Electrical signal wires are in an area of very strong electromagnetic field so that the transmission distortion may occur. The paper presents existing and possible applications of optical links using optical fibers, in the control of power systems.

In this paper are presented results of optimization of double cladding PS1-type profile fiber. The aim of optimization was to maximize simultaneously single mode operating range and scope of anomalous dispersion in the vicinity of the third transmission window. The optimization process was conducted in two variants. In both cases the output quantity was optimal value of normalized frequency VOPT. In the first variant the normalized frequency V was optimized as a function of the quotient of refractive indices difference Δn'/Δn for constant ratio of fiber radii b/a. In the second variant V was optimized as a function of b/a for Δn'/Δn=constant. The optimum value of the normalized frequency V_OPT explicitly specifies the value of core radius a and the value of first cladding radius b of double cladding optical fiber.

This article presents the construction and measurement results for a fibre reflectometric temperature sensor. The measurement head in the examined sensor was located at the very end of the measurement path. The operating principle is based on the changes in the light refractive index in the function of temperature. This in turns causes changes in the reflectance in the measurement head. This type of sensors allow to perform measurements in locations which are not easily accessible (small diagonal dimensions of fibre strands with simultaneous long-range transmission of measurement signals) and additionally are not subject to interference from external electromagnetic field, guaranteeing simultaneously high resistance to humidity and vibrations.

This paper presents intensity optoelectronic sensor for vibration measurements based on fiber loop (macro-bend) with a fixed inertial mass - so-called "seismic mass". In harmful environments such as refineries and petrochemical factories applying traditional measurement methods may be difficult because of electric current which creates risk of fire and influence of electromagnetic noise on this electronic devices. Presented sensor is used to measure both the displacement, velocity and acceleration of the tested objects and the frequency of vibration. In addition, the sensor head allows placement in large distances from the apparatus receiving a signal through the low-loss and insensitive to electromagnetic interference optical fiber connections.

In this paper we present multi-point vibration sensor using a 12-fiber telecommunication cable. This complex sensor can be used to monitor the state of large objects such as pipes, bridges, buildings, etc. The main advantage of the proposed solution is to use low-cost telecommunication components to reduce the cost of the entire system and make it competitive with very expensive OTDR methods. The system is also able to on-line monitor state of the object. The paper shows a draft model of the system architecture and the results of initial laboratory tests. We showed the possibility of detection and localization of periodic vibrations and single hits. Also we have shown the ability to monitor shape changes of the pipe due to any slow deflections. The very advantage of this system is capability of indicating the direction of deflection.

Control systems of our computers are common devices, based on the manipulation of keys or a moving ball. Completely healthy people have no problems with the operation of such devices. Human disability makes everyday activities become a challenge and create trouble. When a man can not move his hands, the work becomes difficult or often impossible. Controlled optical keyboard is a modern device that allows to bypass the limitations of disability limbs. The use of wireless optical transmission allows to control computer using a laser beam, which cooperates with the photodetectors. The article presents the construction and operation of non-contact optical keyboard for people with disabilities.

In this paper we report on design, manufacturing and characterization of microstructured optical fibers made of highly non-linear tellurite glasses and devoted to supercontinuum generation. The tellurite glass labeled TWPN/I/6 is synthesized in oxide system of 65TeO2-28WO3-5Na2O-2Nb2O5 [mol%]. The full characteristics of optical, thermal and mechanical properties of this glass has been performed. Due to a very high resistance for devitrification during multiple thermal processing the glass has been successfully used for PCF manufacturing by the stack-and-draw technique. The manufactured fibers are characterized by the zero dispersion wavelength (ZDW) ranged from 1630 up to 2100nm. Spectrum broadening in the range of 830-1100nm is observed for pump with 100 fs pulses at wavelength 919nm and average power of 615mW.

In this paper we propose to structure a core of the photonic crystal fiber to tailor its dispersion properties. In this case the core is composed of subwavelength rods of two types of glasses or air capillaries. We consider in the simulations two thermally matched glasses SF6 and NC21 with a high contrast of refractive indexes over 0.1. We study an influence of core structure in terms of the material and the nano-sized rod diameter on fiber dispersion. We show that a properly nanostructured core can significantly shift ZDW of the fiber. Supercontinuum generation with developed PCFs is presented.

In the paper the conditions of applying multicore (5 - core and 30 - core) optical fibers for the phase - locked fiber laser systems were analyzed. The influence of parameters of the active multicore optical fibre and phase deviation on the beam quality factor of the fibre laser beam in the far - field diffraction region has been determined. Based on proposed model of supermode generation in multicore fiber laser, the influence of evanescent wave coupling between the cores (in 5- core and 30 - core fibres) on the difference in radiation phases between particular emitters during the development of the laser action was considered calculated. The luminescence spectra of the fabricated, in accordance with designated parameters, 5 - core and 30 - core double clad multicore optical fibres doped with Nd³⁺ were presented. Measured far-field pattern of the fabricated Nd3+doped 5-core optical fiber consists of a high intensity central peak and side lobes. It indicates that phase - locking effect in presented optical fiber was achieved.

This work is aimed at implementation and practical verification of effective index approach applicability to microstructured fibers modeling. In particular, the Effective Index Method, both in scalar and fully vectorial form, is presented and discussed with respect of its potential applications for fast and accurate modeling of chromatic dispersion of index guiding microstructured fibers. The developed models, implemented in Matlab environment, allow visualization of the dispersion profiles of index guiding microstructured fibers with hexagonal lattice. To verify accuracy and define the applicability range of developed models, the results of modeling were confronted with the sparse experimental data, reported up to now in scientific papers. The satisfying agreement between numerical and measured results has been obtained, confirming the accuracy of developed model and its applicability to fast analysis and designing of microstructured fibers with dielectric core.

The paper presents the possibility of forming refractive index profiles in planar waveguides produced by ion exchange method in soda-lime glass - Ag⁺ admixture arrangement. The influence of refractive profile shape on modal attenuation distribution was analysed. Diffusion and heating processes were considered in all the calculations. Numerical simulations of processes were based on experimentally gained thermal diffusion coefficients of exchanged ions.

The goal of this work was to investigate the influence of ZnO on physico-chemical properties of tellurite glasses of the TeO₂-ZnO-PbO-La₂O₃ system, including those doped with Yb³⁺. The effect of glass crystallization on the thermal stability and crystallizing phases formed upon the heat treatment were investigated by DTA/DSC/, XRD and microscopic methods. The spectral dependence of ellipsometric angles of the tellurite glass samples, have been studied. The influence of ZnO and Yb³⁺ ion, onto changes of refractive index of tellurite glass (without RE admixture) were examined. The optical measurements were conducted on Woollam M2000 spectroscopic ellipsometer, in spectral range of 190-1700 nm. Based on obtained results it can be concluded, that admixtures of ZnO have the most considerable influence on thermal stability tellurite glasses raise.

The paper presents energy transfer in tellurite glass from the system TeO₂ - GeO₂ - PbO - PbF₂- BaO - Nb₂O₅ - LaF3 doped with Yb³⁺/Tm³⁺ ions. Under the excitation of 976 nm laser a strong blue emission (477 nm) corresponding to the transition ¹G₄ → ³H₆ in thulium ions was observed. Analysing the influence of the content of Tm3+ ions on the level of luminescence obtained by the mechanism of upconversion it was established that the most effective energy transfer between Yb ³⁺→ Tm³⁺ ions took place in the matrix doped in the following proportion: 1 Yb³⁺:0.1 Tm³⁺ (%mol). Based on the non-resonant process of energy transfer between Yb³⁺ and Tm³⁺ ions the mechanism of upconversion was discussed.

Selected oxyfluoride glasses containing Eu³⁺ and Dy³⁺ were heat treated in order to obtain transparent glass-ceramics. Visible emission spectra corresponding to ⁵D₀ - ⁷F_J (J = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4) transitions of Eu³⁺ and ⁴F_9/2 - ⁶H_J/2 (J = 11, 13, 15) transitions of Dy³⁺ in glass samples before and after heat treatment were registered. The luminescence intensity ratios R (Eu³⁺) and Y/B (Dy³⁺) have been analyzed in details. Their values are reduced due to part incorporation of rare earth ions into cubic β-PbF₂ crystalline phase.

Selected heavy metal glasses containing Yb³⁺ and Er³⁺ ions have been investigated. Near-infrared luminescence spectra at 1.53 μm and up-conversion spectra of Er³⁺ were registered under excitation of Yb³⁺ by 975 nm diode laser line. The luminescence bands correspond to ⁴I_13/2 - ⁴I_15/2 (NIR), ⁴S_3/2 - ⁴I_15/2 (green) and ⁴F_9/2 - ⁴I_15/2 (red) transitions of Er³⁺, respectively. The optical transitions of rare earth ions have been examined as a function of glass host.

The purpose of this paper is to present a design procedure and experiment results for a continuous-action fiberoptic laser based on PM-Er-PCF (polarization-maintaining erbium-doped photonic crystal fiber). To the best of our knowledge, it's the first erbium-doped photonic fiber that maintains polarization. Stable single-wavelength actions were observed in a laser ring configuration. A PM-Er-PCF optimization and an analysis of photonic crystal structure's impact on laser parameters are demonstrated in the theoretical part of this article. The presented fiber laser can be used as a signal source in WDM systems.

Glass-ceramic materials have properties that combine the advantages of both glassy and crystalline media where the neighborhood of an optically active element's ion is structurally organized. The aim of the research was to obtain, on the basis of fluoroindate glasses, transparent glass-ceramic materials containing active elements (Pr⁺³ and Tm⁺³) in their crystalline phases whose properties make them suitable for the production of optoelectronic elements. The technological conditions of crystallization have been described and the luminescence characteristics of obtained materials have been presented.

The UML, which is a complex system modeling and description technology, has recently been expanding its uses in the field of formalization and algorithmic approach to such systems like multiprocessor photonic, optoelectronic and advanced electronics carriers; distributed, multichannel measurement systems; optical networks, industrial electronics, novel R&D solutions. The paper describes a new concept of software dedicated for documenting the source codes written in VHDL and MatLab. The work starts with the analysis of available documentation generators for both programming languages, with an emphasis on the open source solutions. There are presented own solutions which base on the Doxygen program available as a free license with the source code. The supporting tools for parsers building were used like Bison and Flex. The documentation generator application is used for design of large optoelectronic and electronic measurement and control systems. The paper consists of three parts which describe the following components of the documentation generator for photonic and electronic systems: concept, MatLab application and VHDL application. This is part one which describes the system concept. Part two describes the MatLab application. MatLab is used for description of the measured phenomena. Part three describes the VHDL application. VHDL is used for behavioral description of the optoelectronic system. All the proposed approach and application documents big, complex software configurations for large systems.

The UML, which is a complex system modeling and description technology, has recently been expanding its uses in the field of formalization and algorithmic approach to such systems like multiprocessor photonic, optoelectronic and advanced electronics carriers; distributed, multichannel measurement systems; optical networks, industrial electronics, novel R&D solutions. The paper describes a realization of an application for documenting MatLab source codes. There are presented own novel solution based on Doxygen program which is available on the free license, with accessible source code. The used supporting tools for parser building were Bison and Flex. There are presented the practical results of the documentation generator. The program was applied for exemplary MatLab codes. The documentation generator application is used for design of large optoelectronic and electronic measurement and control systems. The paper consists of three parts which describe the following components of the documentation generator for photonic and electronic systems: concept, MatLab application and VHDL application. This is part two which describes the MatLab application. MatLab is used for description of the measured phenomena.

The UML, which is a complex system modeling and description technology, has recently been expanding its uses in the field of formalization and algorithmic approach to such systems like multiprocessor photonic, optoelectronic and advanced electronics carriers; distributed, multichannel measurement systems; optical networks, industrial electronics, novel R&D solutions. The paper describes a realization of an application for documenting VHDL source codes. There are presented own novel solution based on Doxygen program which is available on the free license, with accessible source code. The used supporting tools for parser building were Bison and Flex. There are presented the practical results of the documentation generator. The program was applied for exemplary VHDL codes. The documentation generator application is used for design of large optoelectronic and electronic measurement and control systems. The paper consists of three parts which describe the following components of the documentation generator for photonic and electronic systems: concept, MatLab application and VHDL application. This is part three which describes the VHDL application. VHDL is used for behavioral description of the Optoelectronic system.