Methods and apparatus for measuring the power spectrum of optical signals
AssigneeNovera Optics, Inc.
InventorWayne V. Sorin
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of measuring a power spectrum of an optical signal transmits the optical signal through an optical fiber. A power of at least one wavelength of the optical signal is coupled from a first mode to a second mode of the waveguide. The power of the optical signal coupled from the first mode to the second mode is measured at a detector.
Claims50
A method of measuring a power spectrum of an optical signal, comprising:
- transmitting the optical signal through an optical fiber;
- coupling a power of at least one wavelength of the optical signal from a first mode to a second mode of the waveguide;
- and
- measuring the power of the optical signal coupled from the first mode to the second mode at a detector.
A method of monitoring a power spectrum of an optical signal, comprising:
- changing polarizations of the optical signal in a polarization scrambler;
- coupling a first mode of the optical signal to a second mode at a mode converter;
- detecting the second mode at a detector;
- generating a signal responsive to detection of the second mode;
- averaging the signal to measure a power of the second mode,
- wherein measurement of the power of the second mode is polarization independent.
A spectral monitor, comprising:
- an optical fiber with multiple modes;
- a mode coupler coupled to the optical fiber, the mode coupler provides at least one perturbation in the optical fiber to create a coherent coupling between the first mode to the second mode in the optical fiber;
- a detector positioned to detect a coupling power spectrum of the coupling from the first mode to the second mode;
- and
- a feedback control coupled to the mode coupler and the detector to control the power of the coupling power.
A spectral monitor, comprising:
- an optical fiber with multiple modes;
- a mode coupler coupled to the optical fiber and configured to provide at least one perturbation in the optical fiber to create a coherent coupling between a first mode to a second mode in the optical fiber;
- and
- a core-blocking member coupled to the optical fiber, the core blocking member configured to substantially block those portions of the first mode that are not coupled to the second mode.
A polarization independent spectral monitor, comprising:
- an optical fiber with multiple modes;
- a first mode coupler coupled to the optical fiber, the first mode coupler producing a first acoustic wave in the optical fiber to couple a first mode of an optical signal to a second mode in the optical fiber;
- and
- a second mode coupler coupled to the optical fiber, the second mode coupler producing a second acoustic wave in the optical fiber that is orthogonal to the first acoustic wave.
A polarization independent spectral monitor, comprising:
- an optical fiber with multiple modes;
- and
- a mode coupler coupled to the optical fiber and configured to produce independent orthogonal acoustic waves in the optical fiber that couple a first mode to a second mode;
- and
- a detector positioned to detect a coupling power spectrum of the coupling from the first mode to the second mode.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.