Open AccessPrecise measurement of single-mode fiber lengths using a gain-switched distributed feedback laser with delayed optical feedback
Author(s) -
Kenji Wada,
Satoru Matsukura,
Amaka Tanaka,
Tomohiro Matsuyama,
Hiromichi Horinaka
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.23.023013
Subject(s) - optics , optical fiber , single mode optical fiber , fiber laser , interferometry , amplified spontaneous emission , laser , modulation (music) , physics , materials science , acoustics
A simple method to measure single-mode optical fiber lengths is proposed and demonstrated using a gain-switched 1.55-μm distributed feedback laser without a fast photodetector or an optical interferometer. From the variation in the amplified spontaneous emission noise intensity with respect to the modulation frequency of the gain switching, the optical length of a 1-km single-mode fiber immersed in water is found to be 1471.043915 m ± 33 μm, corresponding to a relative standard deviation of 2.2 × 10(-8). This optical length is an average value over a measurement time of one minute under ordinary laboratory conditions.