Systems and methods for detecting imperfect connections in optical systems

A system for detecting an imperfect connection in a laser component, comprising:

• means for emitting a light signal;
• means for transmitting the light signal external to the laser component and for reflecting at least a portion of the light signal when an imperfect connection exists;
• means for detecting an amount of the reflected light signal;
• means for determining that the imperfect connection exists when the detected amount of the reflected light signal exceeds a predetermined amount;
• and
• means for determining whether the imperfect connection exists using the reflected light signal.

A method for detecting an imperfect connection in a laser system including a laser, a connector, and a monitoring circuit, the method comprising:

• emitting a light signal by the laser;
• transmitting, by the connector, the light signal external to the laser component and reflecting at least a portion of the light signal when an imperfect connection exists;
• detecting, by the monitoring circuit, an amount of the reflected light signal;
• and
• determining, by the monitoring circuit, that the imperfect connection exists when the detected amount of the reflected light signal exceeds a predetermined amount.

A method that prevents damage to at least one component of a laser apparatus that includes a laser that outputs a light signal of increasing power during power up and a connector that receives the light signal from the laser and reflects at least a portion of the light signal when an imperfect connection exists, the method comprising:

• detecting the reflected light signal from the connector;
• determining an amount of power in the reflected light signal;
• calculating a ratio of the power of the light signal emitted by the laser to the power in the reflected light signal;
• comparing the ratio to a predetermined threshold to determine whether the imperfect connection exists;
• and
• terminating the light signal output by the laser when the imperfect connection exists.

An optical amplifier, comprising:

• an active optical fiber;
• and
• at least one laser component configured to provide power to the active optical fiber, the laser component including:
• a laser configured to output a light signal,
• a connector configured to transmit the light signal to the active optical fiber and reflect at least a portion of the light signal when an imperfect connection exists, and
• a monitoring circuit configured to determine whether the imperfect connection exists based on the reflected light signal.

A system for monitoring an optical connector, comprising:

• an optical source;
• an optical transfer device having a first port coupled to said optical source, a second port coupled to said optical connector, and a third port;
• a photodetector coupled to said third port and being configured to detect light originating from said optical source, passing through said first and second ports to said optical connector, reflected from said optical connector back to said second port, and directed through said third port to said photodetector;
• and
• a monitoring circuit coupled to said photodetector, and sensing a signal generated by said photodetector.