Open AccessLong-range and high-precision correlation optical time-domain reflectometry utilizing an all-fiber chaotic source
Author(s) -
Zinan Wang,
Mengqiu Fan,
L. Zhang,
Dmitry V. Churkin,
Y. Li,
Xianyang Qian,
Yunjiang Rao
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.23.015514
Subject(s) - supercontinuum , optics , optical time domain reflectometer , reflectometry , time domain , rayleigh scattering , photonic crystal fiber , zero dispersion wavelength , optical fiber , physics , fiber optic sensor , dispersion shifted fiber , materials science , polarization maintaining optical fiber , computer science , computer vision
We propose a long range, high precision optical time domain reflectometry (OTDR) based on an all-fiber supercontinuum source. The source simply consists of a CW pump laser with moderate power and a section of fiber, which has a zero dispersion wavelength near the laser's central wavelength. Spectrum and time domain properties of the source are investigated, showing that the source has great capability in nonlinear optics, such as correlation OTDR due to its ultra-wide-band chaotic behavior, and mm-scale spatial resolution is demonstrated. Then we analyze the key factors limiting the operational range of such an OTDR, e. g., integral Rayleigh backscattering and the fiber loss, which degrades the optical signal to noise ratio at the receiver side, and then the guideline for counter-act such signal fading is discussed. Finally, we experimentally demonstrate a correlation OTDR with 100km sensing range and 8.2cm spatial resolution (1.2 million resolved points), as a verification of theoretical analysis.