Systems and methods for enhanced back scattering in optical fibers with hermeticity
AssigneeOFS Fitel, LLC
InventorsRaja A Ahmad, Paul S Westbrook
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Abstract
Described herein are systems, methods, and articles of manufacture for high back-scattering waveguides (e.g., optical fibers) and sensors employing high back-scattering optical fibers. Briefly described, one embodiment comprises a high back-scattering fiber, or enhanced scattering fiber or “ESF,” that features resistance specifications that remain intact over lengths of fiber in excess of 1 m, or preferably >100 m, or preferably >1 km, wherein the reflectivity of the ESFs may be precisely tuned within a range from −100 dB/mm to −70 dB/mm, and wherein the enhanced scattering may be spatially continuous or, alternatively, may be at discrete locations spaced apart by 100 microns to >10 m.
Claims12
An optical fiber having a modified refractive index caused by applying actinic-pulse radiation creates a refractive index perturbation, the optical fiber comprising:
- a core;
- a cladding;
- a hermetic coating layer;
- and
- a coating, wherein the refractive index perturbation is inscribed along the length of the core of the optical fiber, and wherein reflectivity of the refractive index perturbation is within a range from −100 dB/mm to −70 dB/mm.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.