Title :
Nondestructive characterization of fiber couplers by a local perturbation method
Author :
Alegria, Carlos ; Ghiringhelli, F. ; Feced, R. ; Zervas, M.N.
Author_Institution :
Optoelectron. Res. Centre, Southampton Univ., UK
Abstract :
A technique for the nondestructive characterization of fiber couplers is demonstrated. A CO/sub 2/ laser beam is scanned along the coupler length inducing a local perturbation to the coupler eigenmodes. Information about the power evolution and the coupling-constant variation along the coupler length can be obtained by applying an asymmetric and symmetric perturbation, respectively. Experimental results of the characterization of a half- and a full-cycle fiber coupler using this technique are presented.
Keywords :
eigenvalues and eigenfunctions; nondestructive testing; optical fibre couplers; optical fibre testing; perturbation techniques; wavelength division multiplexing; CO/sub 2/ laser beam scanning; WDM systems; add/drop multiplexers; asymmetric perturbation; coupler eigenmodes; coupler waist uniformity; coupling-constant variation; fiber couplers; full-cycle fiber coupler; half-cycle fiber coupler; local perturbation method; nondestructive characterization; power evolution; symmetric perturbation; tapered region shape; Fiber lasers; Gratings; Laser beams; Optical fiber communication; Optical fiber couplers; Optical fiber devices; Optical waveguides; Perturbation methods; Planar waveguides; Wavelength division multiplexing;
Journal_Title :
Photonics Technology Letters, IEEE
DOI :
10.1109/LPT.2002.801076
