Distributed strain and temperature discrimination in polarization maintaining fiber
US7538883B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 7, 2007 |
| Grant date | May 26, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 25, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01L1/242
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A portion of a polarization maintaining (PM) optical fiber having two polarization states is analyzed. First and second spectral responses of the PM fiber portion are determined. In a preferred implementation, the spectral responses are determined using Optical Frequency Domain Reflectometry (OFDR). Each polarization state of the PM fiber portion has a corresponding spectral component in the first spectral response. First and second spectral analyses of the PM fiber portion are performed using the first and second spectral responses. Based on those spectral analyses of the PM fiber portion, a first physical characteristic affecting the PM fiber portion is determined that is distinct from a second different physical characteristic affecting the fiber portion. Example physical characteristics include temperature and strain. An output signal related to the first physical characteristics affecting the fiber portion is provided, e.g., for display, further processing, etc.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.