This work shows premises for resumption of telecommunication optical fiber industrial production in Poland and information about founded recently Fabryka Swiatlowodow S.A. in Lublin.

The work presents recent developments of optical fiber technology at the Research Production Department of Fiber Optics. The work on optical fibers was started, on the promontory of Bialystok Glass Works (BGW) (now Biaglass Co.), in 1978. A separate, Fiberoptic Department was created there, a few years later. This fact was reflecting, at that time, the dynamically developing research and manufacturing of soft-glass optical fibers, fiber components, sub- assemblies, devices, cables, bundles, illuminators, imageguides, sensors, and complete fiberoptic systems for research, biomedical, environmental industrial and military applications. Today, the research on and manufacturing of optical fibers, components and photonic systems at BGW and Biaglass Co., observes 20th anniversary. This round anniversary deserves to start this conference invited paper by a historical introduction, in which we summarize very concisely the contribution of BGW and Biaglass fiberoptic team to the national research, development and manufacturing scene of photonics.

The work presents recent developments of chosen aspects of optical fiber technology at the Research Production Department of Fiber Optics at Biaglass Co. The modified multicrucible technology of optical fibers, referred shortly to, throughout this work, as the MMC process was used to obtain several kinds of usable optical fibers for sensors and functional components of fiber microoptics. The MMC optical fibers were measured and their parameters were presented.

The work presents recent developments of chosen aspects of optical fiber technology at the Research Production Department of Fiber Optics at Biaglass Co. The modified multicrucible technology of optical fibers, referred shortly to, throughout this work, as the MMC process was used to obtain several kinds of usable optical fibers for sensors and functional components of fiber microoptics. The MMC fibers, which are analyzed in this paper, are double-core and twin-core ones. These fibers belong to the broader family of multicore optical fibers. Such fibers introduce a few of new possibilities to the transmissive or sensory photonic system design: wave and core multiplexing, internal in-fiber interference and multichannel property. These features are subject of research in this work.

Photoinduced optical phenomena in amorphous Sb₂Se₃- BaCl₂-PbCl₂ glasses have been studied using experimental spectroscopic and theoretical quantum chemical methods. Photo-induced two-photon absorption (TPA) and second harmonic generation (SHG) were measured for the probing CO₂-laser wavelength 10.6 micrometers . CO-laser ((lambda) equals 5.5 micrometers ) was used as a source of photoinducing light. We have found that with an increasing CO-laser exposure the SHG maximum output signal increases and achieves its maximum values at CO photon fluence 18 * 10¹³ phot./cm² after the two hours of illumination. The absolute SHG values were not more than one order less comparing with ZnS crystals in case of its third rank nonlinear optical susceptibility tensor components (chi) ₂₂₂ ((lambda) equals 10.6 micrometers ). With decreasing temperature the SHG signal strongly increases within the 32...26 K temperature range. Time-dependent probe-pump measurements indicate on existence of SHG maximum at time delay about 45 ps. Good correlation between SHG and TPA was observed. Simultaneously spectra positions of TPA maxima are strongly depended on the photoinduced fluence. Contrary to the SHG behavior for the TPA we observe at least two maxima at 26 ps and 70 p.s We explain this dependence within a framework of the quantum chemical approach with taken into account of anharmonic electron-vibrational interaction. Coming out from the performed calculations and IR-spectroscopy Fourier technique measurements in the spectral region between 100 cm^-1 and 300 cm^-1 we have ascertained a key role of Sb-Se fragments in the observed photoinduced effects. A stage of the reversible photoinduced changes is realized after first cycle of IR photoexposure and thermoannealing. We have compared also the different existing models of the photoinduced changes. The results also show that the observed materials have relatively low non-uniformity through the specimen surfaces and can be used as a powerful tool for investigations of picosecond IR laser processes.

A standard polarization maintaining optical fiber (SMPM- single mode polarization maintain) has either an elliptical core or/and an elliptical inner cladding (bow-tie, panda). These kind of fibers usually display low or modest sensitivity to pressure and high sensitivity to temperature. The side-hole optical fibers having two hollow spaces symmetrically placed on both sides of the core are characterized by much higher sensitivity to pressure. This paper presents results of investigations on sensitivity to pressure and on sensitivity to temperature, which can attain the values of 140 rad/MPa*m and 1 rad/K*m, respectively.

Present work estimates which industrial method of single mode fiber production is providing the best fiber for fiber optic cables industry.

In this paper there is presented the characteristics of spiral springs made from quartz glass and TiO₂ doped quartz glass to target heighten mechanical strength as well as the mode of their preparation elaborated on the basis of processes of optical fiber technology.

The use of piezoelectric transducer and acoustooptically induced waves were proposed for mode field excitation on a single-mode microbend fiber taper structure. As the result the in-line fiber attenuator was proposed tuned easily by the transducer low power drive voltage which was fully telecommunication compatible. The tuning range was up to 13 dB and the excess losses not exceeded 0.3 dB typically.

Propagation effects in liquid crystal-core optical fiber waveguides have been investigated. In theory, propagation properties of the TE₀₁ and TM₀₁ modes in the waveguide composed of a low-birefringence nematic liquid crystal acting as an optical-fiber core have been analyzed. The paper presents initial experimental transmission characteristics of the liquid crystal fiber subjected to the influence of electric external field perturbations. The experimental results have been compared with the theory in view of some typical optical fiber parameters suggesting a great potential of the liquid crystal-core fibers for environmental sensing.

The analysis of optical nonlinear behavior in nematic liquid crystalline planar waveguides is presented. The analyzed orientational nonlinearity leads to unique properties which are not obtained in another types of nonlinearity. Phenomena observed in such waveguides are compared with classically analyzed Kerr-type nonlinearity. The theoretical results are confirmed by experimental data.

We present a nonclassical method, with experimental verification, of the measurement of the elastic constants of nematic liquid crystal by applying the nonlinear optical effect. In the experimental set-up the optical fiber coupled with the semiconductor laser is used.

In this paper the influence of elastooptic effect on mode propagation in fiber structure is considered in context of laser-to-fiber coupling improvement. Numerical calculation results of light propagation in the fiber under homogenous and nonhomogeneous hydrostatic pressure are presented. Elasto-optic effect causes changes in the transmission properties of the fibers. Spot-size converter can be realized by mechanical deformation on the fiber and laser- to-fiber coupling efficiency can be controlled.

Results of research on the influence of weather conditions (t equals 10 divided by 27 degree(s)C; H equals 30 divided by 90%) on the process of splicing of standard single mode fibers SM (G.652) and fibers with dispersion shifted DS (G.653) have been presented as well as the results of optimization of splicing SM and DS fibers.

Results of reflectometric measurements of the lengths of sectors of single mode telecommunication fibers. Significant extension even by a few meters, of the measured sections, as compared with their real lengths, have been discovered assuming that the measurement was made from the reflectometer towards the splice, and it was found out that the length was shortened if the measurement was made from the splice towards the event of the reflection type (the end of the route). Measurement were made on the band 1310 nm and 1550 nm with the use of a few reflectometers of different types. Analysis and possible reasons of measurement errors have been presented as well as a proposition how to correct them.

Results of measurement of True Wave fiber parameters have been presented. These results have been compared with the parameters of standard fibers and dispersion shifted fibers. Results of NZDF fiber splicing with single mode fibers of different types have been presented. Results of optimization of splicing process of these fibers have been presented.

This paper presents general theoretical considerations of complex-structure optical fiber networks (buses) with binary `on-off' fiber optic sensors and fiber optic transmission lines for monitoring, diagnostic or measurement systems. The principles of fiber optic serial and parallel buses and various types of intensity fiber optic binary sensors are described as well as the advantages and disadvantages of the individual types of networks. The choice of the use of fiber optic technology rather than other techniques is discussed. Special emphasis was put on the role and function of optoelectronic and optical fiber devices in harsh environments. Theoretical considerations are illustrated by the examples of protection systems for large structures in chemical, electric power and civil engineering.

Non-contact optical method is used for vibration measurement. Information about changes in distance between the vibration target and the probe is expressed as changes in the intensity of light back scattered by the target. The combination of Photonic Vibrometer and the measuring instrument `Graphmeter' made by Fluke enables easy measurement of vibration parameters.

Self referenced and absorption modulation methods for detecting gas pollutants were described. Applicability of both methods was tested experimentally.

Temperature is a factor affecting various analytical sensor readings, so it is a usual practice to relate it to a temperature of reference. This correction can be accomplished by means of a suitable electronics. A multi- parameter fiber optic ion and temperature probe was built in this work. The reflectometric ion multi-sensor was corrected against temperature interference with the aid of optical fiber temperature sensor placed in the same photonic sensing head and the same integrated multi-sensor package.

The requirements for design and construction of fiber optic measuring heads (probes) based on an imaging rigid fiber optic bundle and on flexible fiber optic bundles are presented. The models of the probes and their application in a spectrophotometric measurement system for a medical application are described and discussed. The performed experiments confirmed their usefulness.

The paper presents the structure of measuring stands to be applied to carry out spectral measurements of sensor layers sensitive to the presence of ammonia vapors in the atmosphere around. Also the structure of a model of the waveguide sensor for the detection of ammonia vapors has been presented, as well as the measurement results involving such a sensor.

The work presents the interference of modes which have the same polarization states with respect to two successive orders (TE₀, TE₁) in the planar waveguide obtained with the use of the ion exchange technique K⁺- Na⁺ in the base plate made of glass BK-7. The changes of the refractive index of the waveguide cover result in the changes of phase differences between the guided modes, which in turn brings about a different distribution of light intensity at the end of the waveguide.

The paper presents initial studies of potential application of polarimetric sensing in flow control by the effect of vortex shedding (vosh). Discussion on geometrical factors of the flow tube for arising of a turbulence and oversimplified analysis of the response of the high birefringent (Hi-Bi) fiber on the flow are presented. Some features of the polarimetric sensing of the fluid flow are exemplified.

The temperature influence on salinity measurement by optical fiber salinity sensor has been investigated. Study of the sensor sensitivity with temperature change in range of temperatures 20 - 80 degree(s)C is presented. The construction of the sensor has followed the example of differential refractometer. As a result of this construction and high sensitivity of sensor on salinity, temperature changes have not deformed salinity measurements with the use of this sensor.

Properties of SS-WDMA and FE-CDMA data communication networks were considered. Networks of both types were compared with respect to attainable throughput and size as well as data channel characteristics. Practical limitations to applications of SS-WDMA and FE-CDMA are discussed.

In this paper, we present an infrared transmission system meant for indoor applications. It is based on CDMA technology and therefore it is highly resistant to environmental interference such as fluorescent light. A very simple synchronization scheme is employed based on a slight detuning of quartz oscillators in the terminals and central station. The following issues are discussed: principle of operation, link configuration, code selection, synchronization, and range of optical. Measurement results are also presented.

In this paper are presented the optical power and irradiance meter with `an intelligent opto sensor' and the microprocessor measurement system. A designed and programmed microprocessor unit allows to measure a light power from 1 nW to 2 mW and an irradiance of light from 50 nW/cm² to 150 mW/cm² (with accuracy 0.2%) including sensor's and spectral responsively characteristic. It's built for measuring fiber optic systems, mainly for examination and testing of the optoelectronic sensor's structure (relatively small surface of the light detectors comparing to the partition of measured value) and it's an ideal detector for the fiber optic sensors and networks.

The beam propagation method has been applied to determine the behavior of ultra short optical pulses in the lossy guides. The influence of pulse separation and different amplitude ratios on the soliton propagation is described. In the paper 500 Gbps soliton transmission over 30 km without pulses regeneration is described.

On the basis of theoretical analysis and simulations of information signal flows in a photonic network we have designed an optimal measuring network architecture. The system relies on an experimental rule of multiple senders and multiple receivers. These rules simplify system design. The system consists of PC class working stations equipped with network interfaces, measuring interfaces of photonic input and graphical user's interface. We have proved high efficiency of the measuring network, good reliability, dynamic reconfigurability, interactive operator multi- accessibility, and simultaneous multi-session ability for nondependent measuring processes realized in the network. We have tested the photonics technology based measuring network in laboratory conditions for several basic clients--server configurations. Structural analysis includes dismantling of the system into the basic functional layers accessible through appropriate layers in the graphical user's interface. Topological analysis includes the network interconnections between the functional layers of measuring server and network clients of the measuring system. Analysis allows for prediction of network properties.

We describe in this paper a part of a telemetric network which consists of a workstation with photonic measurement and communication interfaces, structural fiber optic cabling (10/100BaseFX and CAN-FL), and photonic sensors with fiber optic interfaces. The station is equipped with direct photonic measurement interface and most common measuring standards converter (RS, GPIB) with fiber optic I/O CAN bus, O/E converters, LAN and modem ports. The station was connected to the Intranet (ipx/spx) and Internet (tcp/ip) with separate IP number and DNS, WINS names. Virtual measuring environment system program was written specially for such an Intranet and Internet station. The measurement system program communicated with the user via a Graphical User's Interface (GUI). The user has direct access to all functions of the measuring station system through appropriate layers of GUI: telemetric, transmission, visualization, processing, information, help and steering of the measuring system. We have carried out series of thorough simulation investigations and tests of the station using WWW subsystem of the Internet. We logged into the system through the LAN and via modem. The Internet metrological station works continuously under the address http://nms.ipe.pw.edu.pl/nms. The station and the system hear the short name NMS (from Network Measuring System).

A number of researchers from several departments of WUT (including electronics, chemistry, physics and environmental engineering), created a task force group called the Photonics Engineering Research Group. Three years ago, the Group engaged its activity in the Photonics Engineering Priority Research Program of WUT. One of the first tasks was to research, design and do an efficient model of a photonics based, telemetric network for environmental applications. This task took three years to complete. Here we present the results of eventual environmental tests of the Network Measuring System (NMS). NMS bases on and uses the resources of the global network. On the software platform, it is integrated with the Intranet and Internet. NMS uses a log of photonic equipment including: various photonic sensors, optoelectronic receivers, transmitters and signal conditioners and regenerators, measurement standards converters with photonic ports, fiber optic cabling of different type, etc. The photonic sensors applied in the NMS can measure temperature, pH, pK, pNa, pCa, opacity and turbidity, flow, pressure and several other values. Two major directions of practical real-life applications were chosen for the NMS. These applications were municipal, water distribution and, sewage purification, management system and meteorological weather station. Here we present the first application. The description presented here is from the point of view of environmental tests, as it is the third article in series. The first two parts, included in this volume, describe the NMS in details.

Transmission of information from the measurand to the evaluation unit is treated as occurring of a number of discrete spectral channels. Decoding is performed by channel selection and by channel interpolation. The maximum attainable resolution is determined from the power budget of the sensor, distinguishing between scanning and tracking operation and systems with array detection. Finally, immunity to variation of fiber-optic link losses is discussed.

Background rejection power of Veto Wall detector in ZEUS experiment significantly depends on electronics and photonics efficiency. This paper describes idea, and recent solution, for programmable multi-channel optical pulser. The pulser excites, with short electrical pulses, certain light emitting diodes. LEDs are placed in scintillators. These tests simulate flight of real particles through scintillator. The scintillator works as an optical waveguide in which guides photons to both ends of scintillators. These ends are attached to photomultipliers. Photons cause avalanche multiplication of electrons and an electrical pulse resulting in registered by measuring system. Some results of pulser application are presented for diagnosis of all processing blocks of measuring system. Paper includes also, for the sake of completeness, description of the functional structure of measuring system.