The different topics covered in this thesis include photosensitivity in germanosilicate fibers/glasses and application of fiber Bragg grating sensors in simultaneous strain and temperature discrimination. Fiber Bragg Gratings are wavelength dispersive refractive index structures manufactured through ultra-violet (UV) exposure of optical fibers. Their applications range from wavelength division multiplexing filters, dispersion compensators and fiber laser resonators for telecommunication applications to different types of point or distributive sensors for a variety of applications. One aim of this thesis has been to understand the mechanism of photosensitivity in germanosilicate fibers/preforms. Studies undertaken in this part of the thesis include thermal dynamics of Fiber Bragg Gratings and nano-indentation on ultra-violet irradiated germanosilicate glass preforms. An interesting, periodic appearance of a new peak has been observed in the reflected spectrum of Bragg grating inscribed in a germanosilicate fiber during thermal treatment. The new peak occurs on the longer wavelength side of the spectrum during heating and on the shorter wavelength side during cooling, following an identical reverse dynamics. A commercial grating with 99.9% reflectivity also shows a similar decay dynamics. The observed temperature induced distortion in refractive index modulation profile has been understood in the light of compaction-densification model. It is proposed that during the fabrication process of a grating, the modulation in the thermal expansion coefficient brought about by the interference fringes results in a non-uniform expansion throughout the grating length which in turn results in the distortion of the refractive index profile with increase/decrease in temperature. Since the reflection spectrum of a grating can be approximated as the Fourier transform of the refractive index profile, any distortion in the index profile results in the observed anomalous behaviour in the reflection spectrum. Nano-indentation studies have been performed to measure the changes in mechanical properties of a glass preform subjected to different levels of ultra-violet exposure. The results reveal that short term exposure leads to an appreciable increase in the Young’s modulus suggesting the densification of the glass, confirming the compaction-densification model. However, on prolonged exposure, the Young’s modulus decreases, which provides the first direct evidence of dilation in the glass leading into the Type IIA regime. The present results rule out the hypothesis that continued exposure leads to an irreversible compaction and prove that index modulation regimes are intrinsic to the glass matrix. In the second part of the thesis, three different schemes have been proposed for the use of Fiber Bragg Gratings as strain-temperature discriminating sensors: (a) The first method is based on the measurement of the different characteristic wavelength shifts of two types of gratings. Strain and temperature sensitivities of a Type I Bragg grating (G1) in germania doped silica fiber, fabricated under normal conditions, and zero strain, are compared with that of a Bragg grating inscribed under pre-strained condition (G2). Experimental results show that both, strain and temperature sensitivities of G1 and that of G2 are different. Based on this study, we have proposed an approach which enables simultaneous discrimination of axial strain and temperature. (b) In the second method, a single sensing element has been used to encode strain and temperature into an additional parameter other than the wavelength shift. The thermal out-diffusion of germanium from the core of a photosensitive fiber under elevated temperature is exploited to form a Fabry-Perot filter with a single Fiber Bragg Grating. The filter is fabricated using the standard phase-mask technique and one-time exposure. Energy Dispersive X-Ray analysis is used to measure the out-diffusion. The filter is used as a sensor for simultaneous measurement and discrimination of strain and temperature. The proposed technique, where a single grating is used to discriminate the parameters, provides a large advantage over other existing methods. (c) In the third method, a compact design based on cross-wire arrangement of Fiber Bragg Gratings having identical Bragg resonance and different reflectivity is proposed for simultaneously sensing strain (uniaxial) and temperature. Two gratings are assembled orthogonal to each other on an aluminium base. The cross-wire design allows the two sensors to experience the same temperature but different strain. The gratings are identified by their respective reflectivity and, strain and temperature are resolved from the shift in Bragg wavelength. The proposed design exploits the fact that strain is a vector and temperature is a scalar parameter. This sensor has wide industrial application in discriminating strain from temperature effects.

In this thesis, we explore the four aspects of fiber Bragg grating sensors: mathematical modeling of Fiber Bragg Grating response/spectral characteristics, fabrication using phase mask, application and interrogation. Applications of fiber Bragg gratings, also known as in-fiber gratings, with emphasis on their sensing capabilities, interrogation of an array of sensors and their performance in structural health monitoring scenario are documented. First, we study the process of photosensitivity phenomenon in glasses, in particular GeO2:SiO2 glasses. For mathematical modeling we consider the 1-D refractive index profile along the propagation axis of an optical fiber drawn from the preform of such glasses. These 1-D index structures exhibit a bandgap for propagation along the fiber axis. We show how the bandgap is dependent on the two structural parameters: index periodicity and effective refractive index. The mathematical model provides the characteristics of three sensor parameters -resonance wavelength also known as the Bragg wavelength (λB ), filter bandwidth (ΔλB ), and reflectivity (R). We show that the evolution of the index structure in germanosilicate glasses is dependent on the inscription parameters such as exposure time, intensity of the laser used for inscribing, the interference pattern, and coherence of the laser system. In particular, a phase mask is used as the diffffacting element to generate the required interference pattern, that is exposed on the photosensitive fiber. We present a mathematical model of the electromagnetic diffraction pattern behind the phase mask and study the effect of the limited coherence of the writing laser on the interference pattern produced by the diffracting beams from the mask. Next, we demostrate the sensing capabilities of the fiber Bragg gratings for measuring strain, temperature and magnetic fields. We report linearity of 99.7% and sensitivity of 10.35pm/◦C for the grating temperature sensor. An array of gratings assigned with non-overlapping spectral windows is inscribed in a single fiber and applied for distributed sensing of structural health monitoring of an aircraft’s composite air-brake panel. The performance of these sensors is compared with the industry standard resistance foil gauges. We report good agreement between the two gauges (FBG and RSG). In some applications it is more desirable to know the spectral content, rather than the magnitude of perturbation. Fiber Bragg gratings sensors can be used to track events that occur in a very small span of time and contain high frequencies. Such applications demand very high speed wavelength demodulation methods. We present two interrogation techniques: wavelength-shift time-stamping (WSTS) and reflectivity division multiplexing (RDM). WSTS interrogation method employs the multiple threshold-crossing technique to quantize the sensor grating fluctuations and in the process produces the time stamps at every level-cross. The time-stamps are assembled and with the a priori knowledge of the threshold levels, the strain signal is reconstructed. The RDM methodology is an extension of the WSTS model to address multiple sensors. We show that by assigning unique reflectivities to each of the sensors in an array, the time-stamps from each of the sensors can be tagged. The time-stamps are collected by virtue of their corresponding pulse heights, and assembled to reconstruct the strain signal of each of the array sensor. We demonstrate that the two interrogation techniques are self-referencing systems, i.e., the speed at which the signals are reconstructed is instantaneous or as fast as the signal itself.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento CientÃfico e TecnolÃgico / Grades de Bragg nÃo-lineares tÃm sido consideradas desde o final do sÃculo passado para aplicaÃÃes em sistemas de comunicaÃÃes Ãpticas e sensoriamento. O estudo de pulsos ultra-curtos em grades de Bragg lineares, entretanto, sà tem sido considerado nos Ãltimos anos, devido ao desenvolvimento de tÃcnicas numÃricas especÃficas para se resolver o problema. Neste trabalho, foi realizado um estudo analÃtico-numÃrico das caracterÃsticas de transmissÃo e reflexÃo das grades de Bragg nÃo-lineares. Pela primeira vez, foram consideradas variaÃÃes periÃdicas da nÃo-linearidade no dispositivo operando no regime de onda continua, levando a uma nova classe de grades nÃo-uniformes. CaracterÃsticas dos estados bi- e multi-estÃveis foram extensamente investigados nas grades de Bragg nÃo-lineares. TambÃm, pela primeira vez, foi realizado o estudo numÃrico de pulsos ultracurtos ($sim$1 ps) incidindo em grades nÃo-lineares. O enfoque foi dado para a dependÃncia da intensidade de um pulso ultracurto ao passar por tal grade. Foram estudadas, ainda, as dependÃncias na forma temporal da profundidade de modulaÃÃo da grade e do Ãndice nÃo-linear. Grades apodizadas foram consideradas, jà que estas sÃo de importÃncia fundamental nos sitemas de comunicaÃÃes modernos. / Nonlinear fiber Bragg gratings has been considered since the end of last century for applications in optical communications and sensor techniques. The investigation of ultrashort pulses in linear Bragg gratings, however has been considered in the last few years due the development of specifical numerical techniques to solve this problem. In the present work an analytical and numerical study of the reflection and transmission characteristics of nonlinear Bragg gratings was done. For the first time, it has been considered periodic variations of the nonlinearity in that devices operating in the continuous wave regime, leading to a new class of nonuniform gratings. It was extensively investigated the bi- and multistable characteristics in these nonlinear fiber Bragg gratings. Also, for the first time, the numerical study of ultrahsort pulses ($sim$1 ps) incident in nonlinear gratings was done. The focus was the input pulse intensity dependence on that gratings. Also, the depedences in the time shapes of grating index modulation depth and nonlinear index were studied. Apodized gratings were considered since they are of fundamental importance in modern communications systems.

La spectroscopie Raman est un outil non destructif fort utile lors de la caractérisation de matériau. Cette technique consiste essentiellement à faire l’analyse de la diffusion inélastique de lumière par un matériau. Les performances d’un système de spectroscopie Raman proviennent en majeure partie de deux filtres ; l’un pour purifier la raie incidente (habituellement un laser) et l’autre pour atténuer la raie élastique du faisceau de signal. En spectroscopie Raman résonante (SRR), l’énergie (la longueur d’onde) d’excitation est accordée de façon à être voisine d’une transition électronique permise dans le matériau à l’étude. La section efficace d’un processus Raman peut alors être augmentée d’un facteur allant jusqu’à 106. La technologie actuelle est limitée au niveau des filtres accordables en longueur d’onde. La SRR est donc une technique complexe et pour l’instant fastidieuse à mettre en œuvre. Ce mémoire présente la conception et la construction d’un système de spectroscopie Raman accordable en longueur d’onde basé sur des filtres à réseaux de Bragg en volume. Ce système vise une utilisation dans le proche infrarouge afin d’étudier les résonances de nanotubes de carbone. Les étapes menant à la mise en fonction du système sont décrites. Elles couvrent les aspects de conceptualisation, de fabrication, de caractérisation ainsi que de l’optimisation du système. Ce projet fut réalisé en étroite collaboration avec une petite entreprise d’ici, Photon etc. De cette coopération sont nés les filtres accordables permettant avec facilité de changer la longueur d’onde d’excitation. Ces filtres ont été combinés à un laser titane : saphir accordable de 700 à 1100 nm, à un microscope «maison» ainsi qu’à un système de détection utilisant une caméra CCD et un spectromètre à réseau. Sont d’abord présentés les aspects théoriques entourant la SRR. Par la suite, les nanotubes de carbone (NTC) sont décrits et utilisés pour montrer la pertinence d’une telle technique. Ensuite, le principe de fonctionnement des filtres est décrit pour être suivi de l’article où sont parus les principaux résultats de ce travail. On y trouvera entre autres la caractérisation optique des filtres. Les limites de basses fréquences du système sont démontrées en effectuant des mesures sur un échantillon de soufre dont la raie à 27 cm-1 est clairement résolue. La simplicité d’accordabilité est quant à elle démontrée par l’utilisation d’un échantillon de NTC en poudre. En variant la longueur d’onde (l’énergie d’excitation), différentes chiralités sont observées et par le fait même, différentes raies sont présentes dans les spectres. Finalement, des précisions sur l’alignement, l’optimisation et l’opération du système sont décrites. La faible acceptance angulaire est l’inconvénient majeur de l’utilisation de ce type de filtre. Elle se répercute en problème d’atténuation ce qui est critique plus particulièrement pour le filtre coupe-bande. Des améliorations possibles face à cette limitation sont étudiées. / Raman spectroscopy is a useful and non-destructive tool for material characterization. It uses inelastic light scattering interaction with matter to investigate materials. The major part of the performances in a Raman spectroscopy system comes from two light filter units: the first shapes the light source (usually a laser) and the other attenuates the elastic scattered light in the signal beam. In resonant Raman spectroscopy (RRS), the excitation energy (wavelength) is tuned to match an electronic transition of the sample. When in resonance, the Raman cross section is increased by a factor up to 106. Current RRS setups are limited by filtering devices technology. RRS is a complex technique which, for the moment, remains tedious to implement. This master thesis presents the construction of a tunable Raman spectroscopy system based on volume Bragg gratings light filters. The setup is designed to operate in the near infrared region so as to study carbon nanotubes resonances. Steps leading to the operation of the system are described. They cover conceptualization, fabrication, characterization and optimisation of the setup. Collaboration with a local small company, Photon etc, led to the building of two new light filters that allow to tune easily the excitation wavelength. These filters have been adapted to work with a tunable titanium-sapphire laser (tunable from 700 to 1100 nm) and assembled with a homemade microscope and a detection system combining a CCD camera with a grating spectrometer. This document is arranged as follow: First are presented the theoretical aspects surrounding RRS. Carbon nanotubes (CNT) are than described to illustrate the relevance of such technique applied to material science. Principles behind the use of the Bragg filters are described to be followed by a scientific paper in which the main results of this work are presented. These include the optical characterisation of the filters and measurements with the system. Low frequency limits of the system are demonstrated using a sulphur powder where the 27 cm-1 line is clearly resolved. The tunability of the setup is also demonstrated using a bulk carbon nanotube sample. By changing the excitation wavelength, different nanotube chiralities become resonant, leading to different signals in the Raman spectra. Finally, clarifications regarding the alignment, optimisation and operation of the system are described. Low angular acceptance has been found to be the main drawback of the system leading to attenuation problems especially critical for the notch filter. Possible improvements on this limitation are discussed.

En utilisant la combinaison spectrale de faisceaux, des faisceaux provenant de plusieurs lasers opérant à des longueurs d'onde différentes sont combinés en un seul faisceau avec une divergence proche de la limite de diffraction. Cette thèse présente des résultats expérimentaux de combinaison spectrale de faisceaux avec une grande densité spectrale dans deux régions spectrales d'intérêt (1064 et 1550 nm). Un système laser avec une puissance de sortie de l'ordre du kW et une divergence du faisceau combiné proche de la limite de diffraction est démontré. Le système combine cinq fibres lasers dopées Ytterbium polarisées de façon aléatoire avec une séparation spectrale de 0.5 nm en utilisant des réseaux de Bragg volumiques réfléchissants présentant une largeur spectrale étroite et une efficacité de combinaison absolue supérieure à 90%. La projection d'un tel système pour des puissances de sortie de l'ordre de 100 kW est discutée. / Using spectral beam combining (SBC), beams from an array of lasers with each element operated at a different wavelength are combined into a single near-diffraction-limited beam with the same aperture using dispersive optical elements. In this thesis, experimental results of SBC with high spectral density of combined channels in two spectral regions of interest (1064 and 1550 nm) are reported. A laser system with kW-level output power and near-diffraction-limited divergence of spectrally-combined output beam is demonstrated. The system combines five randomly-polarized Yb-doped fiber lasers with 0.5 nm spectral separation in central wavelengths with absolute efficiency of combining > 90% using narrow-band reflecting volume Bragg gratings recorded in photo-thermo-refractive glass. Scaling of such systems to 100 kW power level is discussed.

Ce travail de recherche a été mené afin d'introduire une nouvelle classe de résonateurs Fabry-Pérot (FP) : les cavités FP incurvées basées sur des miroirs de Bragg sans revêtement, de forme cylindrique sont obtenues par micro-usinage du silicium. Une autre spécificité est la longueur de la cavité relativement grande (L> 200 µm) combinée à un haut facteur de qualité Q (jusqu'à 10^4 ), pour répondre aux applications de type spectroscopie d'absorption améliorée par résonance optique, dans lesquelles le produit Q.L est une figure de mérite. Dans ce contexte, l'architecture de base a été modélisée analytiquement pour déterminer les modes transverses d'ordre élevé supportés par de telles cavités. Par conséquent, les conditions expérimentales qui conduisent à une excitation préférentielle (ou rejet) de ces modes ont été testées menant à la validation de notre modèle théorique et à une meilleure compréhension du comportement de la cavité. Une seconde architecture,basée sur la cavité FP incurvée avec une lentille cylindrique a été développée dans le but de fournir une architecture plus stable. Cette dernière a été également modélisée, fabriquée et caractérisée, menant à l'amélioration attendue en termes de performances. D'un autre côté, un point surlignant l'une des applications potentielles que nous avons identifiées pour les cavités incurvées est présentée en insérant la cavité dans un système électromécanique. Ceci consiste à exciter et mesurer les vibrations d'amplitude nanométrique par couplage opto-mécanique dans un résonateur mécanique MEMS intégrant une cavité optique FP. Enfin, comme complément à notre étude sur les résonateurs, nous avons commencé à explorer les applications des interféromètres optiques à base de miroirs de Bragg en silicium. À cette fin, un microsystème de mesure optique a été conçu, fabriqué et caractérisé, il consiste en une sonde optique pour la profilométrie de surface dans des milieux confinés, basé sur un interféromètre de Michelson monolithique en silicium / This research work has been conducted to introduce a novel class of Fabry-Perot (FP) resonators : curved FP cavity based on coating-free Bragg mirrors of cylindrical shape, obtained by silicon micromachining. Another specificity is the rather large cavity lengths (L>200 µm) combined with high quality factor Q (up to 104), for the purpose of applications requiring cavity enhanced absorption spectroscopy, in which the product Q.L is a figure of merit. In this contest, the basic architecture has been modeled analytically to know the high order transverse modes supported by such cavities. Hence, the experimental conditions which lead to preferential excitation (or rejection) of these modes have been tested experimentally leading to the validation of our theoretical model and to a better understanding of the cavity behaviour. A second architecture, based on the curved FP together with a fiber rod lens has been developed for the purpose of providing stable designs. It was also modeled, fabricated and characterized leading to the expected performance improvements. On another side, a highlight on one of the potential applications that we identified for the curved cavities is presented by inserting the cavity into an electro-mechanical system. It consists of exciting and measuring tiny vibration through opto-mechanical coupling in a MEMS mechanical resonator embedding an FP cavity.Finally, as a complement to our study on resonators, we started exploring applications of optical interferometers based on similar micromachined silicon Bragg mirrors. For this purpose, an optical measurement microsystem was designed, fabricated and characterized ; it consists of an optical probe for surface profilometry in confined environments, based on an all-silicon Michelson interferometer

Le stockage de données par holographie suscite un intérêt renouvelé. Il semble bien placé pour conduire à une nouvelle génération de mémoires optiques aux capacités et débits de lecture bien supérieurs à ceux des disques optiques actuels basés sur l’enregistrement dit surfacique. Dans ce travail de thèse, nous proposons une nouvelle architecture de stockage optique de données qui s’inspire du principe de la photographie interférentielle de Lippmann. Les informations y sont inscrites dans le volume du matériau d’enregistrement sous la forme de pages de données par multiplexage en longueur d’onde en exploitant la sélectivité de Bragg. Cette technique, bien que très voisine de l’holographie, n’avait jamais été envisagée pour le stockage à hautes capacités. L’objectif de la thèse a été d’analyser cette nouvelle architecture afin de déterminer les conditions pouvant conduire à de très hautes capacités. Cette analyse s’est appuyée sur un outil de simulation numérique des processus de diffraction en jeu dans cette mémoire interférentielle. Elle nous a permis de définir deux conditions sous lesquelles ces hautes capacités sont atteignables. En respectant ces conditions, nous avons conçu un démonstrateur de mémoire dit de « Lippmann » et avons ainsi démontré expérimentalement que la capacité est bien proportionnelle à l’épaisseur du matériau d’enregistrement. Avec une telle architecture, des capacités de l’ordre du Téraoctet sont attendues pour des disques de 12 cm de diamètre. / Nowadays, the holographic data storage presents a renewed interest. It seems well placed to lead a new generation of optical storage capacity and playback speeds much higher than current optical discs based on the recording onto a surface. In this thesis, we propose a new architecture for optical data storage that is based on the principle of Lippmann photography interferential. Information are included in the volume of the recording material in the form of pages of data multiplexing in wavelength by exploiting the Bragg selectivity. This technique, although very similar to holography, had never been considered for high storage capacities. The aim of the thesis was to analyze this new architecture to determine the conditions that can lead to very high capacities. This analysis was based on a numerical simulation tool of diffraction process involved in this memory interferential. It allowed us to define two conditions under which these high capacities are achievable. In accordance with these conditions, we developed a demonstrator called "Lippmann’s memory" and have thus demonstrated experimentally that the capacity is proportional to the thickness of the recording material. With such an architecture, Terabyte disks of 12 cm in diameter are expected.

[pt] Redes de Bragg em fibras ópticas (RBF) são formadas por modulações periódicas introduzidas no índice de refração do núcleo de fibras ópticas. Estes componentes comportam-se como filtros espectrais de banda passante, ou seja, quando iluminados por um sinal óptico de banda larga, refletem apenas uma fina fatia espectral de luz, cujo centro, o comprimento de onda de Bragg, é proporcional ao período espacial da modulação no índice de refração. As RBF têm encontrado aplicações importantes no sensoriamento das mais diversas grandezas, sendo hoje utilizadas em sistemas de monitoramento para vários segmentos industriais, tais como os setores de petróleo e gás, construção civil e aeroespacial, que, estima-se, respondem em conjunto por cerca de 70% destas aplicações. Em diversas situações o sensoriamento com RBF baseia-se em medidas indiretas da grandeza de interesse, sendo empregados mecanismos de transdução que transformam variações do mensurando em deformações na fibra óptica. Nestes casos, um problema que deve ser tratado com atenção é o acoplamento entre temperatura e deformação, uma vez que as RBF são sensíveis a estas duas variáveis. Não raro, a alternativa é utilizar simultaneamente duas RBF para obter-se a compensação de temperatura na medida de deformação. Este trabalho apresenta um estudo sobre deformações não homogêneas em redes de Bragg e discute aplicações de duas técnicas que podem ser utilizadas como alternativas para eliminar o efeito da temperatura no sensoriamento de deformação com apenas uma RBF. A primeira delas explora a birrefringência óptica induzida na RBF por carregamentos transversais à fibra óptica. A segunda baseia-se nos efeitos sobre o espectro refletido pela rede de Bragg quando submetida a um campo de deformações longitudinais não uniformes ao longo da direção axial da fibra óptica. No trabalho são apresentados protótipos e dispositivos que exploram tais técnicas para a medida simultânea de pressão e temperatura. Esses protótipos foram projetados com auxílio de ferramentas CAD e modelados utilizando-se o método de elementos finitos em conjunto com a teoria de modos acoplados da Rede de Bragg. As previsões obtidas utilizando-se estes modelos mostraram-se bastante próximas dos resultados das implementações experimentais dos protótipos, indicando que a metodologia de modelagem desenvolvida pode ser aplicada nos projetos de transdutores baseados nas duas técnicas estudadas. / [en] Fiber Bragg gratings (FBG) are modulations in the effective refractive index of optical fibers, introduced in a small length along the fiber core. Such components operate as narrow band reflective filters, that is, when illuminated by a broad-band light source, they reflect a narrow spectral band centered at a specific wavelength, the Bragg wavelength. This wavelength is proportional to the spatial period of the refractive index modulation. Fiber Bragg gratings have find an increasing number of applications as sensors for different quantities, and today are being employed as part of permanent, real time monitoring systems in various industrial segments. The oil and gas sector, together with civil infrastructure and aeronautics and aerospace, account for almost 70% of this applications. In a number of situations, FBG sensing is based on indirect measurements of the quantity being monitored, and a transduction mechanism is employed to transform changes in the measured quantity in strain sensed by the optical fiber. Since the FBG is sensitive to strain and temperature, proper temperature compensation is always necessary. Usually, a second grating is employed to simultaneously measure temperature and strain, performing the required compensation. This thesis presents a study on effects due to non- homogeneous strains in the Bragg grating and discusses application of two different techniques, based on these effects, to allow temperature compensated strain measurement using a single FBG. The first technique explores strain induced optical birefringence when the fiber is loaded transversely. The second technique is based on changes in the spectral shape of the light signal reflected by the grating when subjected to non homogeneous axial strain fields. Prototypes of pressure and temperature transducers based on these techniques have been developed. These prototypes have been designed by employing CAD techniques and modeled using the finite element method in conjunction with the theory of coupled modes for fiber Bragg gratings. Comparisons between results provided by theoretical models and experimental realizations of the prototypes are very close, demonstrating that the developed approach can be applied to design transducers based on the discussed techniques. Results obtained with the proposed pressure and temperature sensors are also encouraging indicating that the two techniques are suitable for industrial applications.

Contribution à l’étude de la réflectance et du confinement des modes dans les systèmes optiques stratifiés Résumé : Ce travail prolonge les études du changement de réflectivité des systèmes optiques stratifiés sous des contraintes mécanique et électrique. D’abord, nous quantifions le déplacement de la bande interdite photonique suite à une modification de l’angle d’incidence. Il en dérive une technologie bio-inspirée. Ensuite, c’est un champ électrique externe qui contrôle les propriétés de réflexion et de polarisation d’une multicouche construite à partir de cristaux liquides. Enfin, nous distinguons deux manières de confiner l’énergie électromagnétique. Ce travail s’attache à comprendre la nature des modes qui se propagent à la surface des milieux stratifiés. Par ailleurs, il montre que l’association de matériau gauche et de matériau droit pour former un guide d’onde permet de réduire la vitesse de la lumière de plusieurs ordres de grandeur. Contribution to the study of the reflectance and the mode confinement in optical stratified systems Abstract : This work extends the studies of change in reflectance in optical stratified systems under mechanical and electrical constraints. In the first part, we quantify the shift of the photonic bandgap following, a modification in the angle of incidence. We define the tools for the design of bio-inspired Bragg mirrors. In the second part, we adjust the reflection properties of a multilayer stack made of liquid crystals with an external electric field. Furthermore, we examine two distinct ways of producing light confinement. First, we contribute to the understanding of the nature of electromagnetic modes propagating at the surface of stratified media. Second, we show that a waveguide made of left- and right-handed materials can reduce the speed of light by several orders of magnitudes.

La spectroscopie Raman est un outil non destructif fort utile lors de la caractérisation de matériau. Cette technique consiste essentiellement à faire l’analyse de la diffusion inélastique de lumière par un matériau. Les performances d’un système de spectroscopie Raman proviennent en majeure partie de deux filtres ; l’un pour purifier la raie incidente (habituellement un laser) et l’autre pour atténuer la raie élastique du faisceau de signal. En spectroscopie Raman résonante (SRR), l’énergie (la longueur d’onde) d’excitation est accordée de façon à être voisine d’une transition électronique permise dans le matériau à l’étude. La section efficace d’un processus Raman peut alors être augmentée d’un facteur allant jusqu’à 106. La technologie actuelle est limitée au niveau des filtres accordables en longueur d’onde. La SRR est donc une technique complexe et pour l’instant fastidieuse à mettre en œuvre. Ce mémoire présente la conception et la construction d’un système de spectroscopie Raman accordable en longueur d’onde basé sur des filtres à réseaux de Bragg en volume. Ce système vise une utilisation dans le proche infrarouge afin d’étudier les résonances de nanotubes de carbone. Les étapes menant à la mise en fonction du système sont décrites. Elles couvrent les aspects de conceptualisation, de fabrication, de caractérisation ainsi que de l’optimisation du système. Ce projet fut réalisé en étroite collaboration avec une petite entreprise d’ici, Photon etc. De cette coopération sont nés les filtres accordables permettant avec facilité de changer la longueur d’onde d’excitation. Ces filtres ont été combinés à un laser titane : saphir accordable de 700 à 1100 nm, à un microscope «maison» ainsi qu’à un système de détection utilisant une caméra CCD et un spectromètre à réseau. Sont d’abord présentés les aspects théoriques entourant la SRR. Par la suite, les nanotubes de carbone (NTC) sont décrits et utilisés pour montrer la pertinence d’une telle technique. Ensuite, le principe de fonctionnement des filtres est décrit pour être suivi de l’article où sont parus les principaux résultats de ce travail. On y trouvera entre autres la caractérisation optique des filtres. Les limites de basses fréquences du système sont démontrées en effectuant des mesures sur un échantillon de soufre dont la raie à 27 cm-1 est clairement résolue. La simplicité d’accordabilité est quant à elle démontrée par l’utilisation d’un échantillon de NTC en poudre. En variant la longueur d’onde (l’énergie d’excitation), différentes chiralités sont observées et par le fait même, différentes raies sont présentes dans les spectres. Finalement, des précisions sur l’alignement, l’optimisation et l’opération du système sont décrites. La faible acceptance angulaire est l’inconvénient majeur de l’utilisation de ce type de filtre. Elle se répercute en problème d’atténuation ce qui est critique plus particulièrement pour le filtre coupe-bande. Des améliorations possibles face à cette limitation sont étudiées. / Raman spectroscopy is a useful and non-destructive tool for material characterization. It uses inelastic light scattering interaction with matter to investigate materials. The major part of the performances in a Raman spectroscopy system comes from two light filter units: the first shapes the light source (usually a laser) and the other attenuates the elastic scattered light in the signal beam. In resonant Raman spectroscopy (RRS), the excitation energy (wavelength) is tuned to match an electronic transition of the sample. When in resonance, the Raman cross section is increased by a factor up to 106. Current RRS setups are limited by filtering devices technology. RRS is a complex technique which, for the moment, remains tedious to implement. This master thesis presents the construction of a tunable Raman spectroscopy system based on volume Bragg gratings light filters. The setup is designed to operate in the near infrared region so as to study carbon nanotubes resonances. Steps leading to the operation of the system are described. They cover conceptualization, fabrication, characterization and optimisation of the setup. Collaboration with a local small company, Photon etc, led to the building of two new light filters that allow to tune easily the excitation wavelength. These filters have been adapted to work with a tunable titanium-sapphire laser (tunable from 700 to 1100 nm) and assembled with a homemade microscope and a detection system combining a CCD camera with a grating spectrometer. This document is arranged as follow: First are presented the theoretical aspects surrounding RRS. Carbon nanotubes (CNT) are than described to illustrate the relevance of such technique applied to material science. Principles behind the use of the Bragg filters are described to be followed by a scientific paper in which the main results of this work are presented. These include the optical characterisation of the filters and measurements with the system. Low frequency limits of the system are demonstrated using a sulphur powder where the 27 cm-1 line is clearly resolved. The tunability of the setup is also demonstrated using a bulk carbon nanotube sample. By changing the excitation wavelength, different nanotube chiralities become resonant, leading to different signals in the Raman spectra. Finally, clarifications regarding the alignment, optimisation and operation of the system are described. Low angular acceptance has been found to be the main drawback of the system leading to attenuation problems especially critical for the notch filter. Possible improvements on this limitation are discussed.