Abstract: A system for writing an optical code within or on a fiber substrate. The system includes a holding device that has a plurality of supports spaced apart from each other. The fiber substrate is wound about the supports such that the fiber substrate forms at least one flat section extending between adjacent supports. The system also includes at least one light source that is configured to write an optical code within or on the flat section of the fiber substrate.

Abstract: A system for writing an optical code within or on a fiber substrate is provided. The system includes a holding device that has a plurality of supports spaced apart from each other. The fiber substrate is wound about the supports such that the fiber substrate forms at least one flat section extending between adjacent supports. The system also includes at least one light source that is configured to write an optical code within or on the flat section of the fiber substrate.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing optical identification elements that includes forming a diffraction grating in a fiber substrate along a longitudinal axis of the substrate. The grating includes a resultant refractive index variation. The method also includes cutting the substrate transversely to form a plurality of optical identification elements that have the grating therein along substantially the entire length of the elements. Each of the elements has substantially the same resultant refractive index variation.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a diffusion grating-based optical identification element is provided. The optical identification element includes a known optical substrate, having an optical diffraction grating disposed in the volume of the substrate. A large number of substrates or microbeads having unique identification codes can be manufactured by winding a substrate, such as a fiber, around a polygonal shaped cage/basket to form a fiber ribbon having flat sections. A grating writing station writes one or more gratings into each flat section to form a unique code to this section. Each flat section of fibers of the fiber ribbon is written with the same gratings to provide the same identification code, or alternatively each flat section may be have a different grating(s) written therein so that each section has a different identification code. The fiber ribbon is then removed from the cage and diced to form a groups of optical identification elements, each group having unique optical identification codes.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a diffusion grating-based optical identification element is provided. The optical identification element includes a known fiber substrate, having a diffraction grating disposed therein the grating being indicative of a code when exposed to incident light. A large number of elements or microbeads all having the same identification codes can be manufactured by cutting the substrate transversely where the grating is located, thereby creating a plurality of elements, at least two of the elements having the grating therein along substantially the entire length of the elements. The elements may be manufactured in many different ways, including winding the fiber onto a basket, forming the gratings in the basket openings or bays, removing the fiber and cutting the fiber to form the elements 8. Each bay may have a set of elements with a unique set of codes therein.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a diffusion grating-based optical identification element is provided. The optical identification element includes a known optical substrate, having an optical diffraction grating disposed in the volume of the substrate. A large number of substrates or microbeads having unique identification codes can be manufactured winding a substrate, such as a fiber, around a polygonal shaped cage/basket to form a fiber ribbon having flat sections. A grating writing station writes one or more gratings into each flat section to form a unique code to this section. Each flat section of fibers of the fiber ribbon is written with the same gratings to provide the same identification code, or alternatively each flat section may be have a different grating(s) written therein so that each section has a different identification code. The fiber ribbon is then removed from the cage and diced to form a groups of optical identification elements, each group having unique optical identification codes.