Optical frequency-domain reflectometry using multiple wavelength-swept elements of a DFB laser array

Tom DiLazaro; Georges Nehmetallah

doi:10.1117/12.2252264

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20 February 2017 Optical frequency-domain reflectometry using multiple wavelength-swept elements of a DFB laser array

Tom DiLazaro, Georges Nehmetallah

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Proceedings Volume 10110, Photonic Instrumentation Engineering IV; 101100I (2017) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2252264
Event: SPIE OPTO, 2017, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

Coherent optical frequency-domain reflectometry (C-OFDR) is a distance measurement technique with significant sensitivity and detector bandwidth advantages over normal time-of-flight methods. Although several swept-wavelength laser sources exist, many exhibit short coherence lengths, or require precision mechanical tuning components. Semiconductor distributed feedback lasers (DFBs) are advantageous as a mid-to-long range OFDR source because they exhibit a narrow linewidth and can be rapidly tuned simply via injection current. However, the sweep range of an individual DFB is thermally limited. Here, we present a novel high-resolution OFDR system that uses a compact, monolithic 12-element DFB array to create a continuous, gap-free sweep over a wide wavelength range. Wavelength registration is provided by the incorporation of a HCN gas cell and reference interferometer. The wavelength-swept spectra of the 12 DFBs are combined in post-processing to achieve a continuous total wavelength sweep of more than 40 nm (5.4 THz) in the telecommunications C-Band range.

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Tom DiLazaro and Georges Nehmetallah "Optical frequency-domain reflectometry using multiple wavelength-swept elements of a DFB laser array", Proc. SPIE 10110, Photonic Instrumentation Engineering IV, 101100I (20 February 2017); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2252264

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