Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for reducing output noise of optical gyros. The apparatus includes a sensing system for circulating counter-propagating light beams and producing an output light beam, a coupler having multiple ports and supplying an input light beam to the sensing system, a first detector coupled to the coupler for detecting a rotation rate based on the output light beam, a second detector coupled to the coupler for detecting noise based on the input light beam, and at least one optical device coupled to one of the ports of the coupler. The optical device is configured to reduce a spectral mismatch between the input light beam received by the second detector and the output light beam received by the first detector.

Abstract: An apparatus for sensing current and a method for sensing current are provided. The apparatus includes an optical fiber having first and second opposing ends and a hollow passageway therethrough, a recirculator configured such that when light propagates from the respective first and second ends of the optical fiber, at least some of the light is reflected by the recirculator into the respective opposing ends of the optical fiber to propagate through the optical fiber and form an optical loop having an opening therethrough, and a Faraday sensitive material positioned in the optical loop such that the light passes therethrough, an index of refraction of the Faraday sensitive material changes when a current flows through the opening of the optical loop.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for using a counter-propagating signal method for locating events is disclosed. The apparatus and method uses a Mach Zehnder interferometer through which counter-propagating signals can be launched. If the sensing zone of the Mach Zehnder interferometer is disturbed, modified counter-propagating signals are produced, and the time difference between receipt of those signals is used to determine the location of the event. Polarisation controllers receive feedback signals so that the polarisation states of the counter-propagating signals can be controlled to match the amplitude and/or phase of the signals. Detectors are provided for detecting the modified signals.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for using a counter-propagating signal method for locating events is disclosed. The apparatus and method uses a Mach Zehnder interferometer through which counter-propagating signals can be launched. If the sensing zone of the Mach Zehnder interferometer is disturbed, modified counter-propagating signals are produced and the time difference between receipt of those signals is used to determine the location of the event. A Microcontroller receives feedback signals which adjusts polarisation controllers (43, 44) so that the polarisation states of the counter-propagating signals can be controlled to match the amplitude and/or phase of the output signals. Detectors are provided for detecting the modified signals.

Abstract: A balanced optical-RF phase detector for the extraction of low-jitter radiofrequency (RF) signals from optical pulse trains is demonstrated. The extraction of the low-jitter radiofrequency signals is based on the precise phase detection by use of a differentially biased Sagnac-loop interferometer and synchronous detection. The phase-error signal from this balanced optical-RF phase detector, which is robust against drifts and photodetector nonlinearities, is used to regenerate low-jitter radiofrequency signals from optical pulse trains. Alternatively, the phase-error signal is used to generate a low-jitter optical pulse train, synchronized with a master radiofrequency signal or to synchronize multiple modelocked lasers with each other.

Abstract: System and methods for all-optical signal regeneration based on free space optics are described. In one exemplary embodiment, a method for regenerating an optical signal comprises counter-propagating an input signal and a regenerating signal within an all-optical signal regenerator based on free space optics, where the all-optical signal regenerator based on free space optics comprises a Sagnac loop interferometer, and extracting a regenerated output signal from the Sagnac loop interferometer. In another exemplary embodiment, an all-optical signal regenerator based on free space optics comprises a Sagnac loop interferometer, an optical signal input path coupled to a semiconductor optical amplifier of the Sagnac loop interferometer, a regenerating optical signal path coupled to the semiconductor optical amplifier of the Sagnac loop interferometer, and a regenerated optical output path coupled to the Sagnac loop interferometer.

Abstract: The fiber-optic sensor head (2) for a current or magnetic field sensor comprises an optical fiber which contains a magnetooptically active sensor fiber (3) and at least one polarization-maintaining supply fiber (5), which are optically connected, with the sensor fiber (3) having its fiber protective sheath removed. The sensor head (2) furthermore contains a capillary (6), in which at least the sensor fiber (3) is arranged. Furthermore, the sensor head (2) can be bent in the area of the sensor fiber (3), and a friction reducing means (7) is provided in the capillary (6), in order to reduce the friction between the sensor fiber (3) and the capillary (6). The friction reducing means (7) is advantageously an oil or a dry lubricating means (7). The capillary (6) is advantageously encased by a capillary casing (8). The sensor (2) allows very largely temperature-dependent measurements, is easy to install and allows measurements on large cross-section conductors.

Abstract: A coherent radiation imaging system that produces digital images with a reduced amount of speckle. Radiation from a long coherence length source is used to form an image of a sample. The output coherent wave is temporally divided into a plurality of wavelets. The spatial phase of each wavelet is then modulated a known and different amount. Each phase modulated wavelet illuminates the sample and is perturbed by its interaction with the sample. A spatial phase map of each perturbed wavelet is then created and converted to a sample image with an image reconstruction program. The plurality of sample images thus formed is statistically averaged to form a final averaged image. The high frequency speckle that is not optically resolvable tends to average to zero with continual statistical averaging, leaving only the optically resolvable lower frequency phase information.

Abstract: A system for estimating a parameter selected from the group consisting of a current, a magnetic field, or combinations thereof comprises a resonant frequency tunable magneto-optical loop resonator, wherein the loop resonator comprises a magneto-optical sensing element coupled to an optical waveguide, and wherein the loop resonator is configured for receiving an originating optical signal from a broadband light source and providing a modulated signal indicative of the estimated parameter.

Abstract: A time resolved, nonlinear complex susceptibility measuring apparatus (1) that is capable of measurement unaffected by any distortion of the wave front of a probe light whereby a temporal change in the nonlinear complex susceptibility of a nonlinear optical material that occurs when it is irradiated with a light pulse in a femtosecond range is measured using a pair of polarized lights orthogonal to each other which are formed by splitting a single light pulse into a reference and a probe light (5) and (6) in a polarized light splitting Sagnac type interference light path (8). A direction of polarization converting mechanism for rotating a direction of polarization of the reference and probe lights by an angle of 90° in the polarized light splitting Sagnac type interference light path is included to align the directions of polarization on a test specimen (3).

Abstract: A device for current measurement based on a fiber-optic in-line Sagnac interferometer includes a birefringence phase modulator for non-reciprocal phase modulation of two orthogonal polarization modes of a light beam passing through the interferometer. The phase modulator is a digital phase modulator that is directly digitally drivable to permit simplification of the corresponding signal processing or driving electronics unit.

Abstract: An optical current sensor having a reflection interferometer (1, 10) has, in its fiber-optic lead (2), a polarization-maintaining first fiber branch (20) for two forward-traveling orthogonally polarized waves and a polarization-maintaining second fiber branch (20?) for two backward-traveling orthogonally polarized waves. In this case, the two fiber branches (20, 20?) are connected to one another via a coupler (8) on the sensor side. The first fiber branch (20) is connected to a light source (4) and the second fiber branch (20?) is connected to the detector (5). A means for phase shifting (7) is funcionally connected to at least one of the fiber branches (20, 20?). It is thus possible to achieve a quasi-static control of the phase shift of the waves, so that less stringent requirements can be made of the means for phase shifting than of the phase modulators that are usually used in current sensors of this type.

Abstract: In accordance with the preset invention, an optical interferometer employed as a current sensor is provided with visibility compensation and scale factor compensation. In accordance with the present invention, the interferometer is constructed so as to propagate a pair of optical beams along a defined optical path, where the optical interferometer includes a pair of optical beams that travel along at least a portion of the defined optical path such that a phase shift is induced between the pair of optical beams in response to a measureand, for example electrical current. At least one photodetector is responsive to at least a portion of the sum of the pair of optical beams and provide a beam output signal indicate thereof. From the beam output signal, a first signal is derived that is indicative of the visibility of the interferometer.

Abstract: In a fiber optic gyroscope comprising a light source, a fiber optic coupler, an optical integrated circuit having a function of a polarizer and a branching optical waveguide, and a fiber optic coil, and detecting an angular velocity applied to the fiber optic coil about the axis thereof, a polarization maintaining optical fiber having its length L is connected to an input/output end of the optical integrated circuit nearer the light source in an optical system of optical fiber from the light source to the optical integrated circuit, the polarization maintaining optical fiber of its length L resulting in a difference in group delay time between the orthogonal two polarization modes and the difference at least exceeding a coherence length of light from the light source.

Abstract: A magnetic shielding system for a fiber optic gyroscope is disclosed. The fiber optic gyroscope may have a sensing coil with a sensing axis. An exemplary magnetic shield may enclose the sensing coil and have a layer including a plurality of pieces connected at a seam. A portion of the seam may be substantially parallel to the sensing axis of the sensing coil. Also, the pieces may be connected together such that each piece has a portion of each of two sides and a wall of the magnetic shield. Additionally, multiple layers having orthogonal seams may be utilized with the magnetic shield.

Abstract: A method and device for measuring the current in a conductor are presented. They utilize the Faraday effect on counter-propagating circularly polarized beams of light in a fiber optic coil. The light beams are transformed to and from circular polarization by a polarization transformer comprised of a birefringent fiber with a twist through an appropriate angle at an appropriate distance from one end.

Abstract: A depolarizer 11 is inserted between an optical branch unit 2 and a polarization filter 3, a depolarizer 12 and a polarization filter 14 are inserted between an optical phase modulator 5 and a quarter-wave plate 16, and a depolarizer 13 and a polarization filter 15 are inserted between the other branch end of the optical branch unit 4 and a quarter-wave plate 17. The optical branch unit 2 and the optical phase modulator 5 are formed by single mode optical fibers, and single mode optical fibers are used to connect between optical elements, thus providing an arrangement which is inexpensive as a whole.

Abstract: A signal/vibration detecting technique employs a simple structure to identify a target optical fiber among many and carry out a bidirectional conversation through the target optical fiber. First ends of optical fibers (202A, 202B), one of which is a target optical fiber, are connected to an optical transceiver (201). Second ends of the optical fibers are connected to each other to form a loop. A local unit (203) is installed at the loop. The local unit vibrates the loop, and the optical transceiver emits lights so that the lights are oppositely propagated through the loop. The propagated lights are coupled together so that they interfere with each other. In the intensity of the interfering lights, a change corresponding to the vibration is detected to identify the target optical fiber. Once the target optical fiber is identified, it is used to carry out a conversation between the optical transceiver and the local unit.

Abstract: A method of conducting passive interferometry utilising an optical coupler having N bidirectional input/output ports as an inteiferometer head, the method comprising the steps of for each of said ports, inserting an optical input signal into the port utilising an optical network and measuring a corresponding optical output at each of the ports utilising the optical network, forming products containing at least some of the N2 optical outputs each, wherein the products are chosen such that each of the products comprises the same network dependent factor and eliminating the network dependent factor to obtain substantially network independent measurements.

Abstract: A fiber optic fault detector and generic fiber optic sensor system for detecting breaks in an optical fiber using a low coherence interferometric technique. The system comprises a light source configured to produce light traveling along the optical path, a modulator optically coupled to the light source configured to modulate at least a portion of the light as a function of a modulation signal, a detector optically coupled to the modulator configured to produce a detector output based upon a sensed intensity of the light, and an electronic array configured to receive the detector output and determine the optical fault. The low coherence interferometric technique allows for detection of a fault in the fiber with a minimal amount of test equipment and with higher measurement sensitivity and resolution. The system may alternatively include a transducer, positioned in place of the fiber under test, having a response which changes in reflective or optical path length.

Abstract: A phase difference calculation method, a device (34), and a system (38) are disclosed. In an optical fiber ring interference sensor (37) using a 3×3 optical splitting coupler (30) and an optical splitting coupler (12), linear sections are determined in advance, where a relationship between a phase difference &thgr; of propagation lights and an intensity Ppdn (n=1, 2, 3) outputted from each photo detector (15-1, 15-2, 15-3) becomes approximately linear. The intensity Ppdn of an interference light, between propagation lights in CW and CCW directions in an optical fiber loop (13), having a difference non-reciprocal phase bias is measured not less than two times. A phase difference &thgr; is then calculated based on the intensity Ppdn in the linear sections.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fiberoptic current or magnetic field sensor having a plurality of sensor heads (H), and to a corresponding measurement method. The sensor has: a light source (1); N≧2 sensor heads (H); at least one phase modulation unit (PME) having at least one phase modulator (PM); a detector (2); a control and evaluation unit (5). The at least one phase modulation unit (PME) is optically connected to at least one of the sensor heads (H). Linearly polarized lightwaves can be differentially phase-modulated in a non-reciprocal fashion by means of the at least one phase modulation unit (PME).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring a structure and for locating the position of an event including a light source, a waveguide, and a detector means. The waveguide receives light from the light source so that the light is caused to propagate in counter-propagating optical signals in the waveguide. The waveguide includes the counter-propagating optical signals or some characteristic of the signals modified or effected by an external parameter caused by or indicative of the event to provide modified counter-propagating optical signals. The detector means detects the modified counter-propagating optical signals effected by the parameter and determines the time delay or difference between the modified counter-propagating optical signals in order to determine the location of the event.

Abstract: A method is provided for sensing an environmental effect upon a sensing element and includes exposing the sensing element into the environmental effect, producing a light signal in the sensing element, modulating the light signal with a modulation signal, and determining a path length of the light signal as a function of the modulation signal. A fiber optic sensor is provided that includes a light source producing a light, a sensing element optically coupled to the light source such that the light propagates through the sensing element, a detector optically coupled to the sensing element. The detector detects light intensity propagating in the sensing element. An electronics processor receives the detector output and produces a modulation signal for the light. The processor further produces an output signal indicative of the environmental effect as a function of the modulation signal.

Abstract: An optical current sensor having a reflection interferometer (1, 10) has, in its fiber-optic lead (2), a polarization-maintaining first fiber branch (20) for two forward-traveling orthogonally polarized waves and a polarization-maintaining second fiber branch (20′) for two backward-traveling orthogonally polarized waves. In this case, the two fiber branches (20, 20′) are connected to one another via a coupler (8) on the sensor side. The first fiber branch (20) is connected to a light source (4) and the second fiber branch (20′) is connected to the detector (5). A means for phase shifting (7) is funcionally connected to at least one of the fiber branches (20, 20′). It is thus possible to achieve a quasi-static control of the phase shift of the waves, so that less stringent requirements can be made of the means for phase shifting than of the phase modulators that are usually used in current sensors of this type.

Abstract: A device for current measurement based on a fiber-optic in-line Sagnac interferometer includes a birefringence phase modulator for non-reciprocal phase modulation of two orthogonal polarization modes of a light beam passing through the interferometer. The phase modulator is a digital phase modulator that is directly digitally drivable to permit simplification of the corresponding signal processing or driving electronics unit.

Abstract: In a fiber optic gyroscope comprising a light source, a fiber optic coupler, an optical integrated circuit having a function of a polarizer and a branching optical waveguide, and a fiber optic coil, and detecting an angular velocity applied to the fiber optic coil about the axis thereof, a polarization maintaining optical fiber having its length L is connected to an input/output end of the optical integrated circuit nearer the light source in an optical system of optical fiber from the light source to the optical integrated circuit, the polarization maintaining optical fiber of its length L resulting in a difference in group delay time between the orthogonal two polarization modes and the difference at least exceeding a coherence length of light from the light source.

Abstract: Hollow-core photonic-bandgap fiber is used in fiber optic Sagnac interferometers, including but not limited to fiber optic gyroscopes. Use of the hollow-core photonic-bandgap fiber reduces Rayleigh backscattering and Kerr effects, which otherwise would introduce phase shift into light propagating through the optical fiber and result in errors in the output of the interferometer. Narrowband light sources, such as semiconductor lasers currently employed for telecommunication applications, which provide increased wavelength stability, as well as broadband light sources, can be used to drive the fiber optic interferometers. Modulation can also be employed to improve the accuracy of the output of these sensors.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of fiber optics, and more particularly to birefringence in single-mode fibers. The sensitivity of a fiber optic sensor coil for a current sensor may be increased by winding the sensing fiber, without torsion, around a current-carrying wire to form the coil, wherein the pitch angle of the fiber may be selected to result in a phase shift due to Berry's phase of circularly polarized light propagating through the fiber. Preferably, the pitch angle may be approximately 60°.

Abstract: An optical device which monolithically integrates a variety of structures to route or demultiplex data. One or more ring resonators are used to couple a control signal into and out of a waveguide loop residing within the optical device. The device includes a waveguide loop interferometer, such as a Sagnac loop, and a nonlinear element, such as a semiconductor optical amplifier, inserted in the loop. A ring resonator removes the control signal from the waveguide loop after it passes through the nonlinear element. The control signal is removed via a path that is independent of paths used for managing the flow of data through the optical device. Data is selectively outputted from one of two output ports, depending upon the state of the nonlinear device, as determined by the control signal.

Abstract: A fiber-optic current sensor has a reflection interferometer having a fiber-optic supply lead and a coil-shaped optical sensor fiber, the sensor fiber being connected with a first end to the fiber-optic supply lead, and being provided at a second, free end with a reflector. The fiber-optic supply lead has two fiber arms, which interconnect a detector-side and a sensor-side polarization-maintaining coupler. A phase modulator for modulating differential phases of two polarized waves propagating in the supply lead fiber is arranged in one of these two fiber arms, in which it modulates the differential phase of two waves polarized parallel to one another. Moreover, the sensor can change the direction of polarization in one of the two fiber arms, such that optical waves with orthogonally linear polarizations propagate in a segment of the supply lead fiber adjoining the sensor-side coupler. As a result, the advantages of the reflection interferometer can be combined with those of a Sagnac interferometer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring a structure and for locating the position of an event including a light source, a waveguide, and a detector means. The waveguide receives light from the light source so that the light is caused to propagate in counter-propagating optical signals in the waveguide. The waveguide includes the counter-propagating optical signals or some characteristic of the signals modified or effected by an external parameter caused by or indicative of the event to provide modified counter-propagating optical signals. The detector means detects the modified counter-propagating optical signals effected by the parameter and determines the time delay or difference between the modified counter-propagating optical signals in order to determine the location of the event.

Abstract: An on-line Sagnac interferometric distributed fiber-optic leakage detection device comprising a light generator, an optical fiber coupler, a hollow pipeline, a Faraday rotator mirror, a sensing optical fiber, a delaying optical fiber, a photo detection device and a spectrum analyzer. Signals resulting from a leaky pipeline are obtained by the linear leakage detection system. The signals are analyzed by the spectrum analyzer to discover any null frequency shift so that exact location of the leakage point along the hollow pipeline can be computed.

Abstract: An interferometric system includes first, second and third optical fibers with first and second couplers. The first coupler is configured to receive radiation through the first fiber, provide a first radiation portion through the second fiber and provide a second radiation portion through the third fiber to the second coupler. The system also includes fourth and fifth optical fibers each configured to receive radiation from the second coupler and transmit radiation for receipt by the other.

Abstract: A reduced minimum configuration (RMC) fiber optic current sensor (FOCS) is proposed which includes a sensing coil or sensing region, a light source and an optical path arranged between the front output of the light source and the fiber optic sensing coil/region. At least one quarter wave plate is disposed between the optical path and the sensing coil/region for converting linearly polarized light beams into circularly polarized light beams propagating through the sensing coil/region. The circularly polarized light beams propagating though the sensing region experience a differential phase shift caused by a magnetic field or current flowing in a conductor proximate to the sensing coil. A light detector is located at the back output of the light source and produces an output signal in response to return light intensity transmitted through the light source. The return light intensity is a measure of the magnetic field in the sensor coil/region.

Abstract: A method and system for aligning optical fibers includes aperturing the optical beams from the optical fibers at two points along a path. Photodetectors are placed on the apertures and the positions of the tips of the optical fibers are controlled using actuators to center the optical beams within the apertures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an amplification optical fiber comprising a structure which can yield a higher amplification gain, and a fiber optic amplifier including the same. The fiber optic amplifier comprises, at least, an amplification optical fiber for amplifying signals having wavelengths different from each other, and a pumping light source for supplying pumping light for signal amplification. The amplification optical fiber has one end for inputting pumping light and has a cutoff wavelength shorter than the signal wavelength but longer than the pumping light wavelength.

Abstract: A phase difference calculation method, a device (34), and a system (38) are disclosed. In an optical fiber ring interference sensor (37) using a 3×3 optical splitting coupler (30) and an optical splitting coupler (12), linear sections are determined in advance, where a relationship between a phase difference &thgr; of propagation lights and an intensity Ppdn (n=1,2,3) outputted from each photo detector (15-1, 15-2, 15-3) becomes approximately linear. The intensity Ppdn of an interference light, between propagation lights in CW and CCW directions in an optical fiber loop (13), having a difference non-reciprocal phase bias is measured not less than two times. A phase difference &thgr; is then calculated based on the intensity Ppdn in the linear sections.

Abstract: A signal/vibration detecting technique employs a simple structure to identify a target optical fiber among many and carry out a bidirectional conversation through the target optical fiber.

Abstract: A Sagnac or loop type interferometer is disclosed which uses a single broadband Erbium-doped fibre source (10) and a single IngaAs detector (150) together with a 40 km long sensor loop (90). A wavelength division multiplexer (50) spectrally slices the broadband light from the source (10) into two sub-bands, with different optical paths being defined between the source (10) and detector (150) for the light in the different spectrally sliced sub-bands. The two optical paths include separate phase modulators (70, 130) which modulate the two signals at different frequencies, and also separate delay loops (60, 130) at different places relative to the sensor loop (90). Effectively, two separate Sagnac loops are provided with a single sensor loop (90), source (10) and detector (150). Standard phase locked loop techniques can be used to extract information from signals that have passed through the two loops and to determine the location of a mechanical or thermal perturbation applied to the sensor loop (90).

Abstract: The system includes a generally broadband, low coherence length light source that injects light into a fiber beamsplitter that is used to generate counterpropagating light beams in a Sagnac loop. The loop includes two facing fiber beamsplitters connected together at differing length inner legs, with one of the output legs of the second beamsplitter usually being connected to an optical fiber that ends with a phase modulator followed by a mirror. Environmental effects at the optical fiber impress relative phase differences between the counterpropagating light beams, which are detected from an interferometric signal that results therefrom.

Abstract: A signal/vibration detecting technique employs a simple structure to identify a target optical fiber among many and carry out a bidirectional conversation through the target optical fiber. First ends of optical fibers (202A, 202B), one of which is a target optical fiber, are connected to an optical transceiver (201). Second ends of the optical fibers are connected to each other to form a loop. A local unit (203) is installed at the loop. The local unit vibrates the loop, and the optical transceiver emits lights so that the lights are oppositely propagated through the loop. The propagated lights are coupled together so that they interfere with each other. In the intensity of the interfering lights, a change corresponding to the vibration is detected to identify the target optical fiber. Once the target optical fiber is identified, it is used to carry out a conversation between the optical transceiver and the local unit.

Abstract: A depolarizer 11 is inserted between an optical branch unit 2 and a polarization filter 3, a depolarizer 12 and a polarization filter 14 are inserted between an optical phase modulator 5 and a quarter-wave plate 16, and a depolarizer 13 and a polarization filter 15 are inserted between the other branch end of the optical branch unit 4 and a quarter-wave plate 17. The optical branch unit 2 and the optical phase modulator 5 are formed by single mode optical fibers, and single mode optical fibers are used to connect between optical elements, thus providing an arrangement which is inexpensive as a whole.

Abstract: A fiber optic sensor with a digital signal processing system and a method of using a digital signal processing system with a fiber optic sensor is disclosed. The system digitally samples the output signal of the fiber optic sensor at a frequency which is an integer multiple of the modulator drive frequency and multiplies the sampled output signal with predetermined sine and cosine coefficients corresponding to the (fundamental) modulator drive frequency and at most the second, third and fourth harmonic thereof. This simple system can maintain a constant modulation depth and modulator phase shift and provide sensor output data over a wide operating range of the fiber optic sensor. The fiber optic sensor can be employed, for example, for rotation rate and magnetic field measurements.

Abstract: An on-line Sagnac interferometric distributed fiber-optic leakage detection device comprising a light generator, an optical fiber coupler, a hollow pipeline, a Faraday rotator mirror, a sensing optical fiber, a delaying optical fiber, a photo detection device and a spectrum analyzer. Signals resulting from a leaky pipeline are obtained by the linear leakage detection system. The signals are analyzed by the spectrum analyzer to discover any null frequency shift so that exact location of the leakage point along the hollow pipeline can be computed.

Abstract: A current sensor coil design for reducing or eliminating long undulations of magnetic sensitivity. Such reduction or elimination improves isolation of the current sensor such that proximate currents and accompanying effects do not affect the accuracy of the current sensor determination of a current being measured. Several designs, which may be incorporated separately or in combination, include modifying the specifications of the quarter waveplate, cutting the fiber of the sensor coil to a proper length, choosing a proper perimeter length of the sensor coil or head, and using a particular length of fiber adjusted to work in conjunction with a multi-wavelength or broadband light source.

Abstract: A method and device for measuring the current in a conductor are presented. They utilize the Faraday effect on counter-propagating circularly polarized beams of light in a fiber optic coil. The light beams are transformed to and from circular polarization by a polarization transformer comprised of a birefringent fiber with a twist through an appropriate angle at an appropriate distance from one end.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of fiber optics, and more particularly to birefringence in single-mode fibers. The sensitivity of a fiber optic sensor coil for a current sensor may be increased by winding the sensing fiber, without torsion, around a current-carrying wire to form the coil, wherein the pitch angle of the fiber may be selected to result in a phase shift due to Berry's phase of circularly polarized light propagating through the fiber. Preferably, the pitch angle may be approximately 60°.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the magnitude of multiple path interference (MPI) in a device under test (“DUT”) is disclosed. The DUT preferably forms part of an optical test system. The test system includes a light source, two back reflection paths, an output path, a lightwave signal analyzer and a computer. Before measuring MPI, the back reflection paths are calibrated. The input and output conditions are set and spectral data is collected. The spectral data is integrated to give a value for beat-noise power. The beat-noise power measurement allows generation of a crosstalk power ratio. The crosstalk power ratio is indicative of magnitude of multiple path interference.

Abstract: A current sensor coil design for reducing or eliminating long undulations of magnetic sensitivity. Such reduction or elimination improves isolation of the current sensor such that proximate currents and accompanying effects do not affect the accuracy of the current sensor determination of a current being measured. Several designs, which may be incorporated separately or in combination, include modifying the specifications of the quarter waveplate, cutting the fiber of the sensor coil to a proper length, choosing a proper perimeter length of the sensor coil or head, and using a particular length of fiber adjusted to work in conjunction with a multi-wavelength or broadband light source.