System for non-contact optical-power measurement
First Claim
1. An apparatus for measuring optical power comprising:
- an optical fiber configured to propagate an optical signal, wherein the optical fiber includes a core and at least a first cladding layer, wherein a portion of the optical signal scatters out of the optical fiber along a length of the optical fiber to form scattered fiber light;
a detector system configured to receive the scattered fiber light along the length of the optical fiber and to output a detection signal based on the received scattered fiber light;
a processor configured to receive the detection signal and to determine a power value of the optical signal based on the received detection signal; and
a polarization modulator unit located between the optical fiber and the detector system and operatively coupled to the processor, wherein the polarization modulator unit is configured to modify an intensity of the scattered fiber light after the scattered fiber light has exited the optical fiber and before the scattered fiber light reaches the detector system.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides methods and systems for measuring optical power that require neither alterations to the optical fiber nor physical contact with the optical fiber, the system including an optical fiber configured to propagate an optical signal, wherein the optical fiber includes a core and at least a first cladding layer, wherein a portion of the optical signal scatters out of the optical fiber along a length of the optical fiber to form scattered fiber light; a detector system configured to receive the scattered fiber light along the length of the optical fiber and to output a detection signal based on the received scattered fiber light; and a processor configured to receive the detection signal and to determine a power value of the optical signal based on the received detection signal.
114 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for measuring optical power comprising:
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an optical fiber configured to propagate an optical signal, wherein the optical fiber includes a core and at least a first cladding layer, wherein a portion of the optical signal scatters out of the optical fiber along a length of the optical fiber to form scattered fiber light; a detector system configured to receive the scattered fiber light along the length of the optical fiber and to output a detection signal based on the received scattered fiber light; a processor configured to receive the detection signal and to determine a power value of the optical signal based on the received detection signal; and a polarization modulator unit located between the optical fiber and the detector system and operatively coupled to the processor, wherein the polarization modulator unit is configured to modify an intensity of the scattered fiber light after the scattered fiber light has exited the optical fiber and before the scattered fiber light reaches the detector system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14)
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11. An apparatus comprising:
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an optical fiber configured to propagate an optical signal, wherein the optical fiber includes a core and at least a first cladding layer, wherein a portion of the optical signal scatters out of the optical fiber along a length of the optical fiber to form scattered fiber light; means for detecting the scattered fiber light along the length of the optical fiber and outputting a signal based on the imaged scattered fiber light; means for determining a power value of the optical signal based on the image signal; means for modifying an intensity of the scattered fiber light after the scattered fiber light has exited the optical fiber and before the scattered fiber light reaches the means for detecting, wherein the means for modifying is located between the optical fiber and the means for detecting, and wherein the means for determining the power value is operatively coupled to the means for modifying. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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15. An apparatus for measuring optical power comprising:
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an optical fiber configured to propagate an optical signal, wherein the optical fiber includes a core and at least a first cladding layer, wherein a portion of the optical signal scatters out of the optical fiber along a length of the optical fiber to form scattered fiber light; a detector system configured to receive the scattered fiber light along the length of the optical fiber and to output a detection signal based on the received scattered fiber light; a processor configured to receive the detection signal and to determine a power value of the optical signal based on the received detection signal, wherein the processor is further configured to determine a power-versus-time profile of the optical signal; a polarization modulator unit located between the optical fiber and the detector system and operatively coupled to the processor, wherein the polarization modulator unit is configured to modify an intensity of the scattered fiber light after the scattered fiber light has exited the optical fiber and before the scattered fiber light reaches the detector system; and a controller configured to control the optical signal based at least in part on the determined power-versus-time profile.
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Specification