Abstract:
A method measures a nolinearity profile of a sample with at least one sample surface and having a sample nonlinearity profile along a sample line through a predetermined point on the sample surface. The sample line is oriented perpendicularly to the sample surface. The method includes measuring a Fourier transform of the sample nonlinearity profile and obtaining a reference nonlinearity profile from a reference material. The method includes forming a first composite sample having a first composite nonlinearity profile and forming a second composite sample having a second composite nonlinearity profile inequivalent to the first composite nonlinearity profile. The method further includes measuring a Fourier transform of the first composite nonlinearity profile and measuring a Fourier transform of the second composite nonlinearity profile. The method further includes calculating the sample nonlinearity profile using the Fourier transforms of the sample nonlinearity profile, the reference nonlinearity profile, the first composite nonlinearity profile, and the second composite nonlinearity profile.
Abstract:
An optical sensor, a method of configuring an optical sensor, and a method of using an optical sensor are provided. The optical sensor includes an optical waveguide having a length and a laser source optically coupled to the waveguide. The laser source has a coherence length. Light from the source is transmitted to the waveguide as a first signal propagating along the waveguide in a first direction and a second signal propagating along the waveguide in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The optical paths of the first signal and the second signal are substantially reciprocal with one another and the first signal and the second signal are combined together after propagating through the waveguide to generate a third signal. The coherence length is greater than 1 meter or is in a range between 200 microns and 10 centimeters.
Abstract:
An optical sensor includes at least one optical coupler and an optical waveguide in optical communication with the at least one optical coupler. The optical waveguide is configured to receive a first optical signal from the at least one optical coupler. The first optical signal has a group velocity and a phase velocity while propagating through at least a portion of the optical waveguide, the group velocity less than the phase velocity. An interference between the first optical signal and a second optical signal is affected by relative movement between the optical waveguide and the at least one optical coupler.
Abstract:
A doped superfluorescent fiber source (SFS) has an enhanced mean wavelength stability. A method stabilizes the mean wavelength of a SFS. The method includes pumping the SFS with pump light from a pump source having a wavelength dependent on the temperature of the pump source and dependent on the power of the pump light. The length of the fiber is selected to compromise between reduction of the dependence of the mean wavelength on the pump light power and reduction of the contribution of the forward amplified spantaneous emission light produced by the fiber to the output light.
Abstract:
An optical fiber includes a cladding with a material having a first refractive index and a pattern of regions formed therein. Each of the regions has a second refractive index lower than the first refractive index. The optical fiber further includes a core region and a core ring having an inner perimeter, an outer perimeter, and a thickness between the inner perimeter and the outer perimeter. The thickness is sized to reduce the number of ring surface modes supported by the core ring.
Abstract:
A gyroscope and a method of detecting rotation are provided. The gyroscope includes a structure configured to be driven to move about a drive axis. The structure is further configured to move about a sense axis in response to a Coriolis force generated by rotation of the structure about a rotational axis while moving about the drive axis. The structure further includes at least one first torsional spring extending generally along the drive axis and at least one second torsional spring extending generally along the sense axis. The gyroscope further includes an optical sensor system configured to optically measure movement of the structure about the sense axis.
Abstract:
An optical fiber includes a cladding, a first core, and a second core. At least one of the first core and the second core is hollow and is substantially surrounded by the cladding. At least a portion of the first core is generally parallel to and spaced from at least a portion of the second core. The optical fiber includes a defect substantially surrounded by the cladding, the defect increasing a coupling coefficient between the first core and the second core.
Abstract:
A method for detecting rotation includes providing a plurality of resonant waveguides generally adjacent to one another and optically coupled to one another. Each resonant waveguide of the plurality of resonant waveguides is configured to allow light to propagate along the resonant waveguide in a planar path. The method further includes propagating light along each path in a clockwise direction or along each path in a counterclockwise direction.
Abstract:
An optical fiber includes a cladding, a first core, and a second core. At least one of the first core and the second core is hollow and is substantially surrounded by the cladding. At least a portion of the first core is generally parallel to and spaced from at least a portion of the second core. The optical fiber includes a defect substantially surrounded by the cladding, the defect increasing a coupling coefficient between the first core and the second core.
Abstract:
Aa method fabricates an optical switch comprising a microsphere coated with silicon nanocrystals. The method includes providing a silica optical fiber. The method further includes melting at least a portion of the fiber to form at least one silica microsphere. The method further includes coating the microsphere with a silica layer. The method further includes precipitating silicon nanocrystals within the silica layer by annealing the microsphere. The method further includes passivating the nanocrystals by annealing the microsphere in a hydrogen-containing atmosphere.