Temperature compensated optical device

A temperature compensated optical device, comprising:

• an optical waveguide having a cladding and a core disposed along a longitudinal axis of the optical waveguide, the optical waveguide further including at least one grating disposed within the core, the grating having a characteristic wavelength that varies with ambient temperature and upon the exertion of axial compressive force applied to the optical waveguide, the optical waveguide being of an element material having a waveguide coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), at least a portion of the cladding and the core of the optical waveguide having a transverse cross-section which is continuous and is formed of substantially the same material, the at least portion of the cladding and the core of the optical waveguide having an outer transverse dimension of at least 0.3 mm;
• and
• a compression device including a first member and a second member, the first member including a material having a first coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), the second member including a material having a second coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) that is different than the first CTE of the first member,
• the first and second members being arranged in thermally compensating relationship with the optical waveguide such that the characteristic wavelength is maintained within a predetermined wavelength range over an ambient temperature range.

A temperature compensated optical device, comprising:

• an optical waveguide having a cladding and a core disposed along a longitudinal axis of the optical waveguide, the optical waveguide further including at least one grating disposed within the core, the grating having a characteristic wavelength that varies with ambient temperature and upon the exertion of axial compressive force applied to the optical waveguide, the optical waveguide being of a material having a waveguide coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), at least a portion of the cladding and the core of the optical waveguide having a transverse cross-section which is continuous and is formed substantially the same material, the at least portion of the cladding and the core of the optical waveguide having an outer transverse dimension of at least 0.3 mm;
• and
• a compression device including a first member and a second member, the first member including a material having a first coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), the second member including a material having a second coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) that is different than the first CTE of the first member,
• whereby the compression device strains the optical waveguide in response to a change in ambient temperature such that the characteristic wavelength is maintained within a predetermined wavelength range over an ambient temperature range.

A temperature compensated optical device, comprising:

• an optical waveguide having a cladding and a core disposed along a longitudinal axis of the optical waveguide, the optical waveguide further including at least one grating disposed within the core, the grating having a characteristic wavelength that varies with ambient temperature and upon the exertion of axial compressive force applied to the optical waveguide, the optical waveguide being of a material having a waveguide coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), ), the optical waveguide comprising an optical fiber having the grating embedded therein, and a tube having the optical fiber and the grating encased therein along a longitudinal axis of the tube, the tube being fused to at least a portion of the optical fiber;
• and
• a compression device including a first member and a second member, the first member including a material having a first coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), the second member including a material having a second coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) that is different than the first CTE of the first member,
• the first and second members being arranged in thermally compensating relationship with the optical waveguide such that the characteristic wavelength is maintained within a predetermined wavelength range over an ambient temperature range.

A temperature compensated optical device, comprising:

• an optical waveguide having a cladding and a core disposed along a longitudinal axis of the optical waveguide, the optical waveguide further including at least one grating disposed within the core, the grating having a characteristic wavelength that varies with ambient temperature and upon the exertion of axial compressive force applied to the optical waveguide, the optical waveguide being of a material having a waveguide coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), the optical waveguide including a pair of opposing axial surfaces, at least a portion of the cladding and the core of the optical waveguide having a transverse cross-section which is continuous and is formed of substantially the same material;
• and
• a compression device including a first member and a second member, the first member including a material having a first coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), the second member including a material having a second coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) that is different than the first CTE of the first member,
• the first and second members being arranged in thermally compensating relationship with the optical waveguide such that the characteristic wavelength is maintained within a predetermined wavelength range over an ambient temperature range.

A temperature compensated optical device, comprising:

• an optical waveguide having a cladding and a core disposed along a longitudinal axis of the optical waveguide, the optical waveguide further including at least one grating disposed within the core, the grating having a characteristic wavelength that varies with ambient temperature and upon the exertion of axial compressive force applied to the optical waveguide, the optical waveguide being of a material having a waveguide coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), the optical waveguide having an outer transverse dimension such that the optical waveguide will not buckle over an operational temperature range, and at least a portion of the optical waveguide has a transverse cross-section which is continuous and made of substantially homogeneous material;
• and
• a compression device including a first member and a second member, the first member including a material having a first coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), the second member including a material having a second coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) that is different than the first CTE of the first member,
• the first and second members being arranged in thermally compensating relationship with the optical waveguide such that the characteristic wavelength is maintained within a predetermined wavelength range over an ambient temperature range.