Optics: measuring and testing – For optical fiber or waveguide inspection
Reexamination Certificate
2007-05-15
2007-05-15
Nguyen, Tu T. (Department: 2877)
Optics: measuring and testing
For optical fiber or waveguide inspection
Reexamination Certificate
active
11001235
ABSTRACT:
An apparatus for locating a fault within an optical fiber is disclosed. The apparatus, which can be formed as a part of a fiber-optic transmitter or as a stand-alone instrument, utilizes a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) to generate a test pulse of light which is coupled into an optical fiber under test. The VCSEL is subsequently reconfigured by changing a bias voltage thereto and is used as a resonant-cavity photodetector (RCPD) to detect a portion of the test light pulse which is reflected or scattered from any fault within the optical fiber. A time interval Δt between an instant in time when the test light pulse is generated and the time the reflected or scattered portion is detected can then be used to determine the location of the fault within the optical fiber.
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Keeler Gordon A.
Serkland Darwin K.
Hohimer John P.
Nguyen Tu T.
Sandia Corporation
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