Simplified optical correlation-domain reflectometry using polymer fiber

Abstract

We develop a simplified configuration of optical correlation- (or coherence-) domain reflectometry (OCDR) using a polymer optical fiber (POF). The conventional reference light path is removed by using as reference light the Fresnel-reflected light caused at the interface between a silica single-mode fiber and the POF. We demonstrate its basic operation and investigate the dependences of the spatial resolution and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) on the sweep time of the laser modulation frequency. The optimal sweep time is found to be 30 ms (corresponding to a repetition rate of 33 Hz), at which both the resolution and SNR are maintained at high values.