Fiber optics in japan

This paper describes the recent progress in research and development of fiber optics in Japan. A review is presented of recent developments in fiber manufacturing, cabling, and fiber splicing. Experimental results are given for an optical communication system with optoelectronic components. Theoretical analysis and fundamental experiments are not included, nor are research activities in such devices as lasers or in such applications as those in medical fields. Transmission characteristics of optical fibers—in particular loss and pulse spreading—are assessed from the viewpoint of their structures. Various methods of fiber strengthening and structuring cables are described from the viewpoint of mechanical strength. Coupling efficiencies of detachable connectors and methods of permanent fiber splicing are described. Experimental results on optical fiber communication systems are presented and coupling techniques between a light source and an optical fiber are described.     

Optical communication fiber waveguide fabrication: A review

Abstract

The current state of the art in optical communication fiber waveguide fabrication is reviewed. Details of the two main technologies—multi-component glasses and high-silica glasses—are described, followed by brief details of other fiber fabrication techniques. The relative advantages and disadvantages of the different fiber fabrication techniques are discussed in the summary.     

Fiber-optic interferometric point thermometer

Abstract

A modulation technique suitable for short optical fiber interferometric sensors is presented. This is a passive technique that makes use of modal properties of highly birefringent fiber to generate quadrature output components. Experimental results are presented for 2 miniature, remote Fabry-Perot interferometers fabricated from 2 different types of highly birefringent fiber using this signal processing method.     

Injection laser sources for fiber optic communications

Abstract

This paper describes some of the laser designs and GaAs and GaAlAs epitaxial and wafer-processing technology currently used in the fabrication of laser diodes intended for incorporation into fiber optic communication or data link systems. Two classes of laser diodes are described: cw laser diodes emitting up to 75 mW and devices emitting in excess of 200 mW peak pulsed power at 27°C at duty cycles up to 10%. The fabrication and assembly of these devices is presented in detail, and the problems encountered in the transfer of these processes from a research environment to a manufacturing operation are discussed. Data are presented showing laser-emitted power, both pulsed and continuous, the angular distribution of emitted power, emission wavelength and bandwidth, optical coupling efficiency to various fibers, and laser lifetimes. In addition, the interaction between laser threshold current density, thermal impedance, emitted beam distribution, and fiber optic coupling is described. Several fiber optic laser coupling schemes are described. Finally, the results of testing pulsed laser diodes to see if they meet military environmental and performance test requirements are described with specific data presented showing the value of burn-in testing to eliminate lasers that exhibit abnormally short lifetimes from test lots.     

Toward an optimum use of the optical channel capacity

Abstract

In recent decades, in addition to long-haul, high-capacity links, research activity in optical fiber communication systems has addressed possible advantageous applications in distribution networks, local and metropolitan area networks, CATV backbones and distribution, and high-speed computer networks. As a consequence, new possibilities in optical transmission systems have been explored to face the new requirements in terms of capacity, spectral efficiency, and receiver sensitivity. Among the possible solutions capable to exploit effectively the potentials offered by the optical channel, novel multilevel modulation formats have been proposed for future communication environment. This paper reviews multilevel modulation techniques for optical transmission: a comparative analysis is performed between conventional modulations, such as N-PSK and N-QAM, and new modulation/demodulation techniques, such as N-4QSK, N-SPSK, and PM-DD, taking into account both system performance and technological constraints.     

Optical Fiber Communications: Recent Contributions in Photonic Device Technology

Abstract

The current status of the research and development as well as the recent contributions in optical communications at INESC Porto is reviewed. This review includes all the work carried out in the last few years in optical fiber communications, namely the development of passive and active optical devices. Some of the passive structures that have been studied and developed are: add-drop multiplexers, multiplexer/demultiplexer based on Bragg grating technology, dispersion compensators, and optical cross-connects. Active photonic devices such as wavelength converters, fiber lasers, and fiber amplifiers have also been studied. New ideas are being continuously developed and tested.     

Characterization of a concentric-core fiber

Abstract

Several optical properties of a concentric-core fiber are examined. These include attenuation, radiation patterns, pulse broadening, index profile, backscatter signatures, and capture fraction. Experimental techniques are briefly described, and the significance of the measured parameters is discussed.     

An Experimental Study for Enhanced Availability of Free-Space Optics Systems over Hybrid Free-Space Optics/Radio Frequency Systems Using Switching Scheme Based on On–Off Keying and Multiple Pulse Position Modulation Schemes with Variable Data Rates

Abstract

Free-space optic links are degraded by such weather conditions as rain, fog, and atmospheric scintillation. The inherent advantages of free-space optic communication—providing higher data rates, security, and easy redeployment ability—motivate the avoidance of switching over free-space optic links to low bandwidth radio frequency links. This article establishes viable alternatives over free-space optics/radio frequency hybrid links to achieve higher capacity operation exploiting on–off keying and multiple pulse position modulation schemes with variable data rates to overcome the effect of fading due to adverse weather conditions. Results of an experimental free-space optical link at 1,550 nm are presented.     

Architectures and techniques for all-optical networks

Abstract

Some recent results on all-optical packet-switching and broadcasting networks are presented. The performance evaluation problem of packet-switching transparent optical networks with deflection routing is addressed. Transmission error arguments show how, for a given optical bit rate, the size of an all-optical nonregenerative multishop network is limited by the accumulation of noise and distortion in the optical fiber channel. Time-domain multiple access techniques are exploited in novel architectures based on recently proposed all-optical sampling gates to realize the matching of the ultrahigh optical speed allowed by the large bandwidth of the fiber with the lower speed of the electronic components needed at the user ends. These architectures allow great simplification of the node structure in the considered all-optical multihop and broadcast networks.     

Luminescence-Based Optical Fiber Chemical Sensors

Abstract

A scheme for the simultaneous determination of temperature and analyte concentration for application in luminescence-based chemical sensors is proposed. This scheme is applied to an optical oxygen sensor, which is based on the quenching of the fluorescence of a ruthenium complex. Temperature measurement is performed using the excitation radiation and an absorption long-pass filter. Preliminary results are presented that show the viability of an oxygen measurement that is independent of temperature and optical power level. The possibility of self-referenced temperature measurements with semiconductor nanoparticles is also investigated. In order to optimize the sensor design, several different optical fiber probe geometries for oxygen sensing are tested and compared, including different methods of coupling radiation into the optical fiber system. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyacrylamide membranes are tested as supports for sensor immobilization in fiber-optical pH sensing devices in aqueous solution. Some results are presented that show the feasibility of using fiber-optical pH indicators for remote monitoring.     

A review of biconical taper couplers

Abstract

An optical coupler distributes light from a main fiber to one or more branch fibers. Optical signals can also be passed bidirectionally along a single fiber [1]. Usually couplers are passive devices which are attached to other components in a system by means of optical fiber connectors, or may be joined to them by splicing. Several basic coupler designs have been discussed in the literature, each having some advantages and disadvantages. The biconical taper coupler [2] consists of two fibers that are fused and subsequently tapered. These fibers may have step or graded index profiles. Beam-splitter types [3] (consisting of discrete components) are generally expensive. Mixing rods are simple and can be ruggedly constructed, but an extra 3dB loss above packing fraction loss is incurred when used with graded index fibers [4].     

Applications of Nonlinear Effects in Highly Nonlinear Photonic Crystal Fiber to Optical Communications

Unique dispersion characteristics and enhanced nonlinearity make the small-core photonic crystal fiber (PCF) an ideal candidate for nonlinear optical devices to telecommunication applications. Some technical reasons behind great research interest of highly nonlinear PCFs in optical communication components are reviewed. Nonlinear effects in highly nonlinear PCFs and their research progress are presented. Several typical applications including WDM sources, optical amplification, optical switching, wavelength conversion, optical regeneration and all-optical demultiplexing etc are introduced, together with state-of-the art performances. Some new possible applications and future prospects are discussed.     

拉曼效应与光孤子通信

光纤孤子通信是一种非线性全光通信,它克服了光纤色散和电子设备响应速度慢等缺点,具有不损失波形,不改变速度,保真度高等优点。在光孤子通信中,一些重要问题是由 Raman 效应来解决的。如光纤受激 Raman 放大是根据光纤中的受激 Raman 效应对光孤子进行能量补偿。本文较为系统地介绍 Raman 效应与光孤子通信。     

光纤激光模场及表征技术进展

在光纤通信、光纤激光器和光纤传感等领域的实际应用中,需要重点关注光纤中的模式问题。模分复用是提高光通信信息容量的有效方法,模间干涉是大多数光纤传感的基本方法,高功率光纤激光的光束质量控制的关键技术之一就是模式控制,因此,对光纤模式理论、模式产生及转换、模式表征技术开展研究具有重要的研究意义和实际应用价值。论文讨论了光纤的模式及光束质量,分析了多种模式发生及转换的方法,将模式表征方法归结为非相干、相干和低相干测量法。光纤模式表征是目前的研究热点,在多种表征方法中,空间和频谱成像法（S2）和双重傅里叶变换法（F2）具有显著的优越性,可不需要提前知道光纤的几何参数,就可获得模场分布、模式功率占比、群时延等特性。研究表明F2法更适合于表征高功率光纤激光的模场特性。     

Performance of Dispersion-Compensated Optical Transmission Systems Based on Different Electrical Drivers

In this article, the simulation results have been presented for dispersive optical communication with different electrical drivers. The length of single-mode fiber has been put in a run that is compensated by dispersion-compensated fiber. The results have been presented and it is observed that of all the electrical drivers, the NRZ rectangular is best suited for dispersive optical communication systems. For this electrical driver, the parameters like BER remain constant and low. For other drivers, the BER decreases more for RZ super-Gaussian. Similarly, the Q factor increases with runs for all types of drivers except for NRZ rectangular, for which it decreases. For all the drivers, it is clear that as the runs are varied, the eye opening penalty increases, that is, there is less eye opening as the length of single-mode fiber is increased. It is also seen that the dispersion-compensated fiber compensates for the dispersion very effectively irrespective of the type of driver. Of the two formats, return to zero (RZ) and non-return to zero (NRZ), the earlier has more eye-opening penalty as the distortion is more and is clearly visible in all the rectangular, super-Gaussian, and raised cosine RZ formats. Of the three RZ formats, it is observed that RZ rectangular has the least eye-opening penalty. The non-return to zero format has less distortion and, of the two rectangular and raised cosine, the NRZ rectangular has less eye-opening penalty.     

The limits of plastic optical fiber for short distance high-speed computer data links

Abstract

The attenuation and dispersion of commercially available all-plastic step-index optical fiber are the major factors limiting the maximum achievable transmission distance and bit rate; this article explores these limits. Calculations predict that ～ 500 Mb/s transmission over 100 m of standard 0.47 NA step-index PMMA POF at 650 nm is feasible, and recent experimental results at up to 400 Mb/s are briefly described. The implications of having a lower loss, higher bandwidth POF, for example, perfluorinated, graded-index PMMA, arc discussed.     

Microwave Photonics for High-Resolution and High-Speed Interrogation of Fiber Bragg Grating Sensors

Abstract

Conventional fiber Bragg grating sensors have a few limitations, such as limited interrogation resolution and speed and difficulty in separating different measurands. In this article, microwave photonic techniques applied to fiber Bragg grating sensors to improve the interrogation resolution and speed are discussed. Experimental results to validate the techniques are provided.     

Single-Longitude-Mode Fiber Laser Implementation by Using Only Two Subring Cavities in Serial/Parallel Connection

ABSTRACT

By incorporating double-ring cavities and a piece of un-pumped Er³⁺-doped fiber (EDF) as a saturable absorber, we report a single-longitude-mode EDF fiber laser at C-band. The single-longitude-mode is obtained, the first time, by inserting only two subring cavities in either serial connection or parallel connection. The fiber laser has an optical signal-to-noise-ratio of 34.5 dB and a maximum power fluctuation of less than 1.3% for 1-hr operation. It was then modulated up to 10 Gbit/s by using an electro-optic modulator for eye diagrams, compared to back-to-back transmission. Such a compact and low-cost fiber laser is potential for high-speed optical communication.     

Linear and nonlinear optical properties of semiconductor particles

Abstract

The field of nonlinear optics is briefly introduced, followed by a review of quantum size effects in small semiconductor particles, with special reference to the linear and nonlinear optical properties. Experimental methods, especially the “laser induced grating” technique are described. Semiconductor (CdS _x Se_1?x ) doped glasses are examined, both the commercially available niters and a specially made experimental CdSe doped glass. Both linear and nonlinear optical properties are discussed. Colloidal and polymers systems are also briefly discussed.     

Photonics applications in switching: An ATM optical node

Abstract

An ATM optical node architecture that carries out cell routing and buffering by photonic means, controlled by electronic circuits, is presented. An evolutionary approach, where cell aggregation and compression are introduced to achieve a large throughput, with a high performance, is also described. And we report experimental results that demonstrate the feasibility of all the relevant photonic functions, based on advanced optoelectronic devices, namely: fast wavelength reassignment, suitable for multigigabit operation, based on fast tunable lasers and semiconductor optical amplifiers; high bit rate packet storage in a multiwavelength fiber loop memory including fast optical gates; dynamic wavelength selection, based on distributed feedback (DFB) filters with nanosecond tuning response; and all optical demultiplexing of multigigabit/s time division multiplexing (TDM) signals by means of saturated semiconductor optical amplifiers.