Polarization-independent interferometric optical-time-domain reflectometer

Author

Kobayashi, Masaru ; Hanafusa, Hiroaki ; Takada, Kazumasa ; Noda, Juichi

Author_Institution

NTT Opto-Electron. Lab., Ibaraki, Japan

Volume

9

Issue

5

fYear

1991

fDate

5/1/1991 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

623

Lastpage

628

Abstract

A polarization-independent interferometric optical-time-domain reflectometer is proposed and demonstrated. The experimental setup is composed of a superluminescent diode and a fiber coupler which combines a polarization-maintaining fiber and a conventional single-mode fiber to achieve a polarization-independent spatial profile of the reflectance in a single-mode fiber or waveguide sample. The polarization independence and the reliability of the measured reflectivity, were confirmed, and the measurement of loss and birefringence in an optical waveguide from its reflectance profile is demonstrated. The influence of dispersion in the fibers on the spatial resolution of the reflectometer is also discussed

Keywords

fibre optics; light interferometers; light polarisation; optical couplers; reflectometers; time-domain reflectometry; birefringence; conventional single-mode fiber; dispersion; experimental setup; fiber coupler; loss; optical waveguide; polarization-independent interferometric optical-time-domain reflectometer; polarization-independent spatial profile; polarization-maintaining fiber; reflectance profile; reflectivity; spatial resolution; superluminescent diode; Birefringence; Loss measurement; Optical fiber couplers; Optical fiber polarization; Optical interferometry; Optical losses; Optical polarization; Optical waveguides; Reflectivity; Superluminescent diodes;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Lightwave Technology, Journal of

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0733-8724

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/50.79538

Filename

79538