Optical waveguide monitoring
First Claim
1. A method for monitoring the quality of a photonic crystal fiber, the method comprising:
- launching test light into an end of the photonic crystal fiber;
detecting measurement light from the photonic crystal fiber in response to the launched test light; and
determining the quality of the photonic crystal fiber according to the measurement light.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Techniques for monitoring the quality (e.g., optical and mechanical properties) in optical waveguides (e.g., photonic crystal fibers) are disclosed. Additionally, techniques for detecting and localizing defects in the waveguides are also described. Pulses of light are launched into one end of an optical waveguide. The amount of light scattered out of the same end of the waveguide (i.e., a backscattered or reflected signal) is monitored at certain wavelengths specific to the spectral characteristics of the waveguide. Transmission characteristics and defect localization can be determined from the backscattered signal.
30 Citations
58 Claims
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1. A method for monitoring the quality of a photonic crystal fiber, the method comprising:
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launching test light into an end of the photonic crystal fiber;
detecting measurement light from the photonic crystal fiber in response to the launched test light; and
determining the quality of the photonic crystal fiber according to the measurement light. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. An apparatus for monitoring the quality of a photonic crystal fiber, comprising:
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a light source capable of providing test light at a first wavelength related to a bandgap of the photonic crystal fiber;
an optical assembly positioned to direct light from the light source into an end of the photonic crystal fiber and to collect light from the end of the photonic crystal fiber;
a detector positioned to detect the light collected from the photonic crystal fiber in response to the test light, and the detector is capable of detecting light at the first wavelength and light at the second wavelength; and
an electronic controller coupled to the light source and detector, wherein during operation the electronic controller causes the light source to emit test light having a first component at the first wavelength and a second component at the second wavelength and the controller records an the intensity of a first measurement signal corresponding to the first test light component and the intensity of a second measurement signal corresponding to the second test light component, and the controller monitors the quality of the photonic crystal fiber from a function of the intensity of the first and second measurement signals. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 48)
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40. A method for monitoring the quality of an optical waveguide, the method comprising:
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launching test light into an end of the optical waveguide;
detecting measurement light emitted from the optical waveguide in response to the test light;
measuring a first measurement signal related to the measurement light intensity at a first wavelength and a second measurement signal related to the measurement light intensity at a second wavelength; and
monitoring the quality of the optical waveguide based on a function of the first measurement signal and the second measurement signal. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58)
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Specification