Abstract

Emergence of new fibers families induces considerable requirements in terms of characterization and metrology (group delay, chromatic dispersion, birefringence, bending losses, etc.). The optical low-coherence reflectometry (OLCR) technique is demonstrated as a versatile method for the characterization of most types of optical fiber. A synthesis of multiple analysis concerning different families of specialty fibers including rare-earth-doped fibers, few-mode fibers, and microstructured fibers will be presented. OLCR allows measuring precisely the group velocity dispersion value for both polarization modes and birefringence. It is also possible to measure small refractive-index variations in a pumped Erbium-doped fiber. Unique dispersive properties of higher order modes fiber offer novel solutions for dispersion compensation or nonlinear effects management. OLCR can allow each LP mode characterization without the requirement for mode converters. A new method, called “time-wavelength reflection mapping,” based on the OLCR interferogram processing is applied to the determination of chromatic dispersion of each guided LP mode whatever their group index. Finally, different characterization results concerning photonics crystal fibers with guiding based on the conventional total internal reflection principle (high-index guiding) or photonic bandgap effect (low-index guiding) will be presented.

© 2009 IEEE

Phase-sensitive optical low-coherence reflectometry technique applied to the characterization of photonic crystal fiber properties

Carlos Palavicini, Yves Jaouën, Guy Debarge, Emmanuel Kerrinckx, Yves Quiquempois, Marc Douay, Catherine Lepers, Anne-Françoise Obaton, and Gilles Melin
Opt. Lett. 30(4) 361-363 (2005)

Optical low-coherence reflectometry for complete chromatic dispersion characterization of few-mode fibers

Philippe Hamel, Yves Jaouën, Renaud Gabet, and Siddharth Ramachandran
Opt. Lett. 32(9) 1029-1031 (2007)

Distributed measurements of fiber birefringence and diametric load using optical low-coherence reflectometry and fiber gratings

Dragan Coric, Hans G. Limberger, and René P. Salathé
Opt. Express 14(24) 11804-11813 (2006)

Detection of neural activity using phase-sensitive optical low-coherence reflectometry

Taner Akkin, Digant P. Davé, Thomas E. Milner, and H. Grady Rylander III
Opt. Express 12(11) 2377-2386 (2004)

Phase-sensitive optical low-coherence reflectometry for the detection of analyte concentrations

Kirill V. Larin, Taner Akkin, Rinat O. Esenaliev, Massoud Motamedi, and Thomas E. Milner
Appl. Opt. 43(17) 3408-3414 (2004)