Abstract
We present the measurement of distributed mode coupling along tapered single-mode
fibers using optical frequency-domain reflectometry. The energy re-distribution through
Rayleigh backscatter amplitude as a function of distance with a 13 μm resolution
over the whole taper region is measured. The wavelength shifts between the fundamental
mode and high order modes of the taper are theoretically derived and experimentally
verified by using autocorrelation data processing. An accurate measurement of refractive
index differences in both gentle and abrupt tapers is achieved with a spatial resolution
of ~2 cm. The measured results and theoretical values match well in
gentle taper. It is found that the physical length of mode coupling of abrupt taper is
longer than its geometric length, while both lengths are the same in gentle taper. The
measurement is rapid, repeatable and nondestructive.
© 2012 IEEE
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