We investigate the properties of tilted fibre gratings written using two techniques - namely UV laser with phase mask inscription in hydrogenated fibre, and point-by-point femtosecond IR inscription in non-photosensitised fibre. The intended application of this work is for laser light delivery from the side of an intravenous optical fibre for cauterising biological tissue in surgical procedures. Consequently, broad bandwidth gratings capable of withstanding temperatures of 100’s of degrees celsius are required. With an efficient and rapid writing process (exposure times of a few seconds to minutes are typical), we have produced phase-mask inscripted gratings using tilt angles of up to 8° and point-by-point inscripted tilted gratings. The latter have the advantage of being highly thermally stable (up to 600° C) and offer the prospect of suitable bandwidths through careful design of the grating. We present an investigation of these two grating structures.

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