Fiber Optic Technology

Applications in Commercial, Industrial, Military and Space Optical Systems

This book covers the design of Fiber Optic (FO) systems, including performance data on a wide range of devices. The author avoids complex mathematics, but offers equations that describe FO components and systems. Readability is enhanced through numerous figures, diagrams and graphs. This book is recommended for graduate students, project managers, research scientists, optical engineers and consultants.

The book summarizes application of FO components in industrial, commercial, military and space systems. Beginning with characteristics of optical fiber such as the core, cladding, and jacket, the author surveys capabilities and limitations. Important mathematical expressions are provided, as well as resources for additional study. This book is is a valuable resource for anyone needing to know more about the development of electro-optics, photonics and opto-electronics.

Major topics covered in the book include:

Performance requirements for the fiber core, clad,and jacket
Definitions and fundamental theory
Description of components such as filters, isolators, switches, probes, combiners, sensors, collimators, polarizers, scramblers,and compensators
High power applications and scattering
Application-specific details for military, space, commercial and industrial systems
Medical and scientific applications
Sensors for industrial applications

"...There is a wealth of information in this book on FO technology, which distinguishes [it] from other books published in the field. I highly recommend this book for graduate students, clinical and research scientists, project managers, optical engineers, consulting engineers and university libraries."
—Shobha Singh, Ph.D (retired)
Director, Optoelectronics Research Lab
Bell Telephone Laboratories Inc.

About the Author

Dr. A.R. Jha(Bsc.(Engg.), MS(Elec), MS(Mech.) and Ph.D.( Electronics)) has design, development and research experience of more than 35 years in radar, electronic warfare, lasers, phased array antennas, solid state mm-wave components, cellular/mobile/satellite communication, receivers, MEMS devices and IR sensors. He has published more than 75 technical papers (including 8 invited papers) and authored 8 technology books. He holds a US patent on a mm-wave Terrestrial Communication Antenna

CHAPTER 1: Performance Requirements for Fiber Core, Cladding and Jacket

Materials for Various Elements of an Optical Fiber
Material Requirements for the Core
Mechanical Requirements for Core Materials
Requirements for Cladding
Refractive Index Profiles
Coating Material Requirements
Material Requirements for Buffer
Material Requirements for Jacket
Various Loss Mechanisms in Optical Fiber
Material Absorption Loss
Losses Due to Scattering Mechanisms
Rayleigh Scattering
Mie Scattering
Stimulated Raman and Brillouin Scattering Phenomena
Scattering from Geometrical Variations
Radiation Loss Due to Radius of Curvature
Losses Due to Cladding Effects
Impact of Cladding Effects on Normalized Power Carried by Core and Cladding
Dispersion in Optical Fibers
Material Dispersion
Chromatic Dispersion
Cumulative Dispersion
Potential Dispersion Compensation Schemes
Polarization Loss

CHAPTER 2: Expressions for Electric Field, Propagating Modes, Group Delay and Coupling Coefficients

Electromagnetic (EM) Fields and Propagating Modes
Impact of Normalization Procedure
Impact of Cutoff Conditions on Eigenvalue Equations
Linearly Polarized Modes
Physical Significance of Parameter qp
Computations of Normalized Eigenvalues (Up) as a Function of Normalized Frequency (V)
Impact of Parameter d on the Accuracy of Eigenvalues
Number of Propagating Modes in Optical Fiber
Impact of Fiber Bending on Propagating Modes
Coupling Between Two Guided Modes
Crosstalk Between Optical Fibers
Impact of Propagation and Core Radius on Crosstalk
Group Delay in Optical Fibers
Group Delay Spread
Modal Power Within Optical Fiber
Modal Power Carried in the Core and Cladding Layers
Power Density as a Function Various Parameters
Fractional Power in Core, Cladding and Jacket Layers
Fractional Modal Power Due to Lossy Jacket
Attenuation Constant for the Dominant Hybrid Mode HE11

CHAPTER 3: Fiber Optic Passive Components

Optical Limiters
Optical Filters
Low-pass (LP) Filters and High-pass (HP) Filters
Band-pass (BP) Filters
Add-drop Filters Using On-chip Technology
Heat Absorbing (HA) Filters
Tunable Optical Filters
Applications of Tunable Filters in Commercial and Military Applications
Various Tunable Filter Concepts
Linear Variable Filters (LVFs)
Optical Couplers
Fiber Optic Couplers for Military System Applications
Optical Couplers for Telecommunications Applications
Optical Isolators and Circulators
Optical Isolators
Performance Capabilities and Limitations of Optical Isolators
Critical Performance Parameters of Circulators
Critical Performance Parameters for Fiber Optic Circulators
Optical Switches
Fiber Optic Based Crossover or Cross-matrix Optical Switches
Various Optical Switches for Telecommunications System Applications
State-of-the art (SOTA) Fiber-optic Based Switches
High-performance Ethernet Switch
MEMS-based Optical Switch
Fiber Laser-based Q-switch
High-Speed Optical Interconnect (HSOI) Device
Fiber Optic Bundle
Polarization-maintaining Capability
Fiber Optic Probe
Fiber Optic Raman Probes for Spectrographic Applications
Fiber Optic Probes for Engine Diagnosis
Fiber Optic Probes for Oscilloscopes
Fiber Optic Based Optical Power Combiners
Fabrication Techniques for OPCs
Brightness of the Combiner
Combiner Requirements for Various Power Levels
Deployment of OPC in Military Applications
FO Tunable Dispersion Compensators
FO-Based Light Scopes
Fiber Optic Strain Sensor
FO-Based Security Uniforms
FO-Based Interrogation Sensors
FO Lighting System
Fiber Optic Collimators
FO Polarizers and Depolarizers
Erbium-Doped Micro Fiber (EDMF) Laser
Fiber Optic Polarization Scramblers
Basic Scrambling Principles
Scramblers Types
Performance Comparison of Various Scrambling Devices
Elimination of Polarization Fading
Potential Applications of Scramblers

CHAPTER 4: Fiber Optic Components for Military and Space Applications

Fiber Optic Delay Lines for ECM equipment
Potential Delay Line Types and Design Parameters
Digitally Programmable Optical Delay Line
Description of Critical Components
Performance Requirements for the Optical Coupler (OP)
Requirements for Optical Switches
Impact on Delay Line Performance from Various Sources
Impact Due to Temperature and Tap Spacing
Impact on Delay Line Performance from Fiber Parameters
Modulation Bandwidth of Optical Fibers
Impact of Operating Wavelength on Chromatic Dispersion
Impact of Source Wavelength on Delay Line Performance
Overall Delay Line Performance Summary
Fiber Optic Based Michelson Array
Description of All-Fiber Version of MI
Description of a Multi-element System Using Michelson Array
Tunable Dispersion Compensation
TDC configuration using Two Quadratically-chirped FBG Devices
Acceptable Dispersion Limits in Covert Communications Systems
Impact of Temperature on Bragg Wavelength
Insertion Loss, Reflectivity and Group Delay in FBG Devices
Q-penalty With and Without Tunable Dispersion Compensator
Optical Ring-Resonator Gyros (ORRGs)
Techniques to Reduce Kerr-effect Induced Bias Error
TDC Using MEMS-based Mirror Technology
Dynamic Dispersion Compensation System Using MEMS Technology
All-Fiber, Q-Switched (AFQS) Laser
Critical Design Aspects and Parameters
Solid-State Beacon Laser Illuminator (SSBLI)
Description of Critical Elements
Impact of Atmospheric Parameters on Wavefront Errors
Fiber Optic Ring Laser (FORL) Gyros
Beat Noise Elimination Techniques
Infrared Countermeasures (IRCM) Systems
Threat Assessment and Neutralization of IR Missile Threats
Performance Capabilities and Limitations of the DIRCM System
Three-Dimensional Laser Tracking (3-DLT) Systems
Optical Control of T/R Modules in Phased Array Radars
Fiber Optic Links in Providing Optical Control in T/R Modules
Fiber Optic Link Configurations
Optical Beamforming
Beamforming in Microwave Domain
Beamforming in Optical Domain
Indirect Control of Phase Shifter and Amplifier Gain
Direct Optical Control Approach
Control of Passive Elements

CHAPTER 5: Integration of Fiber Optic Technology in Commercial and Industrial Systems

Optical Sensor Using Cryogenic and FO Technologies
Description of the Critical Elements and Their Performance Requirements
Performance Requirements for Helium Cryostat and Nitrogen Storage Tank
Sample Requirements and Test Procedures
Performance Capabilities of the Optical Spectroscope
All-Optical Nonlinear (AON) Switch
Design Aspects of the Switch
Mathematical Expressions for Frequency Shift and Nonlinear Phase Shift

CHAPTER 5: continued

Conditions for Distortion-free Signal Transmission
Pump Power Requirements
Benefits of chirped Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBGs)
Performance Capabilities of the Nonlinear Pulse Switch
Optical System for Tracking High Speed Train-Tracks
Description and Operating Principle of LBUS
Fiber Optic Gyroscope (FOG) for Aerospace Applications
Design Aspects
Critical Performance Parameters
Fiber Optic Voltage Sensor (FOVS)
Critical Elements
Performance Parameters
Fiber Optic (FO) CATV Receiver
Design Aspects and Performance Parameters
Advanced Technologies Incorporated in the CATV Receiver
Unique Performance Parameters of the Receiver Specific Electrical and Optical Parameters
Optical Sensors for Detection of Poisonous Gases and Chemical Agents
Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) Phenomenon
Conditions for Optical Excitation of Surface Plasmon
Operational Aspects of the Sensor
Experimental Procedure for Detection of Gas or Chemical Agent
Fiber Optic Sensor for Quality Control and Assurance
Operating Principle of the Sensor
Critical Parameters Affecting the Sensor Performance
Peak of the Reflected Intensity Profile Under Two-fold Rotation of the Facet
Experimental Investigation Requirements
FO Imaging Probes to Study Rock Structures
FO Sensors for Site Monitoring
Operational Aspects of the Monitoring Sensor
Design Concept of the Interrogation System
Optical Part Description
Opto-electronic Part Description
Electronic Part Description
Typical Sensor Parameters

CHAPTER 6: Fiber Optic-based Communications and Telecommunications Systems

Fiber Optic Communication Links
Optical Control of T/R modules in Phased Array Radars
Shorting Comings of FO Control
FO Link Configurations and Types
Optical Beamforming
Beamforming in Microwave Domain
Beamforming in Optical Domain
Optical Communications and Telecommunications Systems
Dense-WDM (DWDM) Systems
Techniques to Increase Channel Capacity and Count
DWDM Application Requirements
Unique Capabilities of DWDM systems
Critical Design Aspects of DWDM System
Impact of Dispersion on DWDM System Performance
Impact of Various Effects on DWDM System Performance
Techniques to Stretch Transmission Distances
DWDM System Performance Limitation from Various Sources
Impact of Nonlinear Effects on Data Rate
Performance Requirements for WDM Systems
Impact of Dispersion Control on High-speed Transmission Systems
Optimization of Fiber Design Parameters
Application of Fiber Bragg Gratings in WDM Systems
Techniques to Boost Bandwidth of WDM Systems
Optical Amplifier Requirements to Boost Operating Bandwidth
Alternate Techniques to Boost Amplifier Bandwidth
Capabilities of Metropolitan WDM Systems
Multiplexing and Demultiplexing Techniques
High-Channel-count Techniques and Applications
Low-channel-count Applications
Functional Integration and Architecture
Effects on Homowavelength Crosstalk
Out-of-band Crosstalk
Optical Transceivers
Transceiver Module Design Aspects
Laser Source Requirements
Impact of Fiber and Detector on Receiver Sensitivity
Optical Amplifiers for Communications Systems
Critical Performance Parameters of EDFA
Impact of Gain Ripple
EDFAs Operating in the L-band
Raman Amplifiers
Gain Optimization Scheme
Pump Parameters Optimization
Performance Capabilities and Limitations of Raman Amplifiers
Performance Limitations of Amplifiers in Optical Networks
Multi-channel Amplification
High Power EDFA Requirements
Optimum Topology of Wideband EDFA for WDM Applications

CHAPTER 7: Fiber Optics for Medical and Scientific Applications

Potential Techniques for DNA Analysis
Ion Mobility Spectrometer Technique
Laser-based DNA (LBDNA) Analysis
Fluorescent Line-narrowing Spectroscopy (FLNS) Technology for DNA Use
Laser Excitation Requirements for DNA Analysis
Optical Fiber Requirements for DNA Analysis
Laser and Fiber Optic Technologies for Dental Treatment
Laser Requirements for Dental Applications
Specialty Fibers for Medical and Dental Applications
Optical Illuminators
Spectroscopic Technology for Life Science Research
Near-IR Spectroscopic Technique for Epilepsy Treatment
Application of Laser and Fiber Optic Technologies to Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)
Benefits and Risks Associated with PDT Technology
Potential Illumination Techniques for PDT Treatment
Laser Source Requirements for PDT Treatment
"RED" Light Emitting Diode for PDT Applications
Optical Tomography Using Fiber Optic Technology for Medical Treatments
Critical Performance Parameters of the OT Imaging System Endoscopic Sensor Using Fiber Optic and Laser Technologies
Fiber Optic-Based Procedures for Treating Heart Diseases
Deployment of Stent Technology for Clearing the Arteries
Vision Correction Using Laser Surgical Procedure and Fiber Optic Technology
Laser Requirements for Diagnosis and Treatment of Eye Diseases
Short-pulse Lasers for Various Medical Treatments
Laser Technology for Optical Tomography Applications
Performance Requirements of OT Imaging Systems
Q-Switched Laser for Clearing the Cerebral Artery Obstruction
Laser-Based Flow Cytometry
Laser-Based Endoscopic technology for Colon Imaging
Design Aspects of Miniature Endoscopes
Fiber-Based Delivery Systems for Medical Applications

CHAPTER 8: Fiber Optic Sensors for Various Industrial Applications

Fiber Optic Level Sensors
Sensor Design Based on Sight Glass Concept
Operating Principle of the Sight Glass Sensor
Force Type Liquid Level Sensor
Liquid Level Sensor Using Pressure Transducer
Liquid Level Sensor Based on Surface Reflectance Technique
Liquid Levels Sensors Based on Refractive Index Change
FO-Based Displacement Sensors
Displacement Sensor Using Reflective Technology
Displacement Sensor Using Microbending Concept
FO-Based Flow Sensors
Turbine Flow Sensors
Differential Pressure Flow Sensors
Flow Sensors Using Vortex-shedding Concept
Flow Sensor Using Laser Doppler Velocimetry (LDV) Concept
Fiber Optic Techniques for Chemical Analysis
Fiber Optic Sensor Using Fluorescence Technique
Potential Applications for Chemical Analysis
Fiber Optic Sensors for Temperature Monitoring
Fiber Optic Temperature Sensor Using Reflective Design Concept
Fiber Optic Pressure Sensors
Pressure Sensors Using Transmission Approach
Fiber Optic Pressure Sensor Using MEMS Technology Design Requirements for MEMS-based Pressure Sensor
Fiber Optic-based Magnetic and Electric Field Sensors
Magnetic Field Sensor Using Intensity-modulation Concept
Electric Field Sensors Using Intensity-modulation Technique

Index