Open AccessReduction of modal evolution fluctuation in 2-LP mode optical time domain reflectometry
Author(s) -
Atsushi Nakamura,
Yusuke Koshikiya,
Tetsuya Manabe
Publication year - 2017
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.25.020727
Subject(s) - reflectometry , optics , optical time domain reflectometer , time domain , rayleigh scattering , polarization (electrochemistry) , amplitude , modal , optical fiber , single mode optical fiber , physics , fiber optic sensor , materials science , polarization maintaining optical fiber , computer science , chemistry , polymer chemistry , computer vision
This paper describes theoretical and experimental investigations of an optical time domain reflectometry (OTDR) that conducts measurements in the 2-LP mode region of the fiber under test. Rayleigh backscattering amplitude coefficients from the HE 11 mode to higher-order vector modes are analyzed to clarify the evolution in the state of polarization of the backscattered vector modes with respect to that of the probe HE 11 mode. Based on the analysis, we then propose a technique for reducing amplitude fluctuations in the OTDR traces attributed to intensity distribution evolution of the LP 11 mode. A proof-of-concept demonstration is performed on optical fibers in the laboratory and field environments, and the measured results confirm its usefulness.