–152.5 dB sensitivity high dynamic-range opticalfrequency-domain reflectometry

Abstract

Optical frequency domain reflectometry (OFDR) measurements with 60 dB dynamics on the 1.55 µm Rayleigh backscattering signal with 2 cm spatial resolution and 10 m maximum range are presented. A sensitivity of –152.5 dB is demonstrated, representing the highest sensitivity reported to date using the OFDR technique. This sensitivity level was achieved with <3 min total acquisition time.