Stimulated Brillouin scattering is the most dominant nonlinear effect in single mode optical fibers. Its unique spectral characteristics, especially the narrow bandwidth of 20 – 30 MHz enable numerous applications, including optical spectrum analysis, delay and storage of light, distributed sensing and optical signal processing. Most of them would benefit from a reduction of the Brillouin gain bandwidth. This dissertation demonstrates several methods for significant reduction of the Brillouin gain bandwidth, including a multi-stage system, the superposition of the gain with two losses as well as the utilization of a frequency domain aperture. Thereby the Brillouin gain bandwidth can be reduced significantly down to 3 MHz, which equals 15% of the normal bandwidth. Furthermore, the reduced Brillouin gain bandwidth is employed for various applications. First, the resolution and the dynamic range of a Brillouin based optical spectrum analyzer are enhanced significantly. Second, a new technique for the storage of optical data packets, called Quasi-Light-Storage, is introduced and the maximum storage time is increased to 160 ns for 8 bit data packets. Finally, Brillouin scattering is used for the processing of optical frequency combs, leading to the generation high quality of mm- and THz-waves, as well as almost ideal sinc-shaped Nyquist pulse sequences.

Stimulated Brillouin scattering is one of the dominant nonlinear effects in single mode optical fibers due to its low threshold. Its unique Lorentzian gain spectrum characteristic with the narrow linewidth of 20-30 MHz has enabled numerous of applications, such as optical signal processing, delay and light storage, optical spectrum analysis and distributed sensing. However, a fixed spectral characteristic cannot meet the requirements of a variety of applications. Therefore, an engineered, reconfigurable or arbitrary manipulated gain spectrum is of great importance. This book will start from the basics of stimulated Brillouin scattering and its principle for distributed fiber sensing and optical signal processing. The basic method for Brillouin gain spectrum engineering by the pump modulation and the superposition with Brillouin loss(es) will be introduced. As the main contain of this book, the application of Brillouin gain spectrum engineering in the field of static and dynamic distributed fiber sensing, and optical signal processing together with the advantages and benefits will be demonstrated in detail. Under the assistance of gain spectrum engineering, solutions have been proposed for drawbacks such as measurand resolution in static distributed fiber sensing, tradeoff between dynamic range and sensitivity in dynamic distributed fiber sensing, and inevitable Brillouin noise in optical and microwave photonic filters based on stimulated Brillouin scattering.

The chapters in this edited volume are by scholars/experts working in academia in Taiwan, Egypt, Israel, Germany and Japan. The contents are intended to provide a common forum for researchers, scientists and engineers throughout the world to exchange ideas and gain knowledge in the areas of fiber sensing technologies. The scope of the book includes the following chapters: 1. Introductory Chapter: An Overview of the Methodologies and Applications of Fiber Optic Sensing; 2. Theoretic Study of Cascaded Fiber Bragg Grating; 3. Femtosecond Transient Bragg Gratings; 4. Vital Sign Measurement Using FBG Sensor for New Wearable Sensor; 5. The State-of-the-Art of Brillouin Distributed Fiber Sensing. After a rigorous review process, the editors selected five submitted manuscripts (Chapters 2 to 5) for inclusion here. Three of these focus on the subject of point-to-point sensing using FBGs, and the final concerns distributed fiber sensing based on Brillouin scattering effect.

Brillouin Scattering, Part Two, Volume 110 in the Semiconductors and Semimetal series, marks the centenary of Leon Brillouin's seminal 1922 paper which provided a detailed theory on the effect that now bears his name. Sections in this new release include Optical Fiber Sensors Based on Stimulated Brillouin scattering, Brillouin-based RF frequency sources, SBS for Microwave Photonics (MWP), Engineerable Brillouin processes for integrated photonics, SBS in optical communication systems - the good, the bad and the ugly, Slow light, dynamic gratings and light storage, Non-reciprocity in Brillouin scattering, Electromechanical Brillouin Scattering, and Brillouin light scattering for studying mechanics of biological systems. Stimulated Brillouin Scattering (SBS) is the strongest third order nonlinearity and plays an important role in contemporary science and applications, particularly lasers, communications, fiber optics and basic physics. This volume provides different perspectives on current technological contexts of SBS in a range of different application areas, including sensing, communications, radar, imaging and information storage. - Presented by the leading researchers in the field - Covers both scientific and technological perspectives - Provides different perspectives on current technological contexts of SBS in a range of different application areas, including sensing, communications, radar, imaging and information storage

Since the 3rd edition appeared, a fast evolution of the field has occurred. The fourth edition of this classic work provides an up-to-date account of the nonlinear phenomena occurring inside optical fibers. The contents include such important topics as self- and cross-phase modulation, stimulated Raman and Brillouin scattering, four-wave mixing, modulation instability, and optical solitons. Many new figures have been added to help illustrate the concepts discussed in the book. New to this edition are chapters on highly nonlinear fibers and and the novel nonlinear effects that have been observed in these fibers since 2000. Such a chapter should be of interest to people in the field of new wavelengths generation, which has potential application in medical diagnosis and treatments, spectroscopy, new wavelength lasers and light sources, etc. Continues to be industry bestseller providing unique source of comprehensive coverage on the subject of nonlinear fiber optics Fourth Edition is a completely up-to-date treatment of the nonlinear phenomena occurring inside optical fibers Includes 2 NEW CHAPTERS on the properties of highly nonlinear fibers and their novel nonlinear effects

This book presents a comprehensive account of the recent progress in optical fiber research. It consists of four sections with 20 chapters covering the topics of nonlinear and polarisation effects in optical fibers, photonic crystal fibers and new applications for optical fibers. Section 1 reviews nonlinear effects in optical fibers in terms of theoretical analysis, experiments and applications. Section 2 presents polarization mode dispersion, chromatic dispersion and polarization dependent losses in optical fibers, fiber birefringence effects and spun fibers. Section 3 and 4 cover the topics of photonic crystal fibers and a new trend of optical fiber applications. Edited by three scientists with wide knowledge and experience in the field of fiber optics and photonics, the book brings together leading academics and practitioners in a comprehensive and incisive treatment of the subject. This is an essential point of reference for researchers working and teaching in optical fiber technologies, and for industrial users who need to be aware of current developments in optical fiber research areas.