Patent ID: 8934090
Filing Date: 2015-01-13
Classification: G01M

Abstract:
1. A method of evaluating integrity of an optical fiber, the method comprising transmitting a measurement light beam through the optical fiber; measuring an intensity of a combined reflection of the measurement light beam; the combined reflection including a proximal end reflection component and a distal end reflection component; separating the proximal end reflection component from the combined reflection to obtain a calibrated intensity measurement; analyzing the calibrated intensity measurement to determine the integrity of the optical fiber; wherein separating the proximal end reflection component from the combined reflection comprises determining a calibration intensity corresponding to the proximal end reflection component and subtracting the calibration intensity from the intensity of the combined reflection to obtain the calibrated intensity measurement; and, wherein measuring the intensity of the combined reflection comprises measuring the intensity of the combined reflection at a first polarization state and a second polarization state; wherein subtracting the calibration intensity from the intensity of the combined reflection obtains a distal end reflection component at the first polarization state; the method further comprising combining the distal end reflection component at the first polarization state with the intensity of the combined reflection measured at the second polarization state to obtain the calibrated intensity measurement.