Patent ID: 6385358
Filing Date: 2002-05-07
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
An optical coherence domain reflectometry (OCDR) system, comprising:a source arm that introduces polarized light into a sample arm and a reference arm; a sample arm having a path length and comprising optical fiber that transmits the polarized light to a sample and collects light reflected from the sample, wherein the optical fiber comprises at least a section of non-polarization maintaining (non-PM) fiber, a reference arm having a path length and comprising optical fiber that transmits the polarized light to a reference mirror and collects light reflected from the mirror, wherein the optical fiber comprises at least a section of non-polarization maintaining non-PM fiber, an optical rotator element situated in the reference arm between the non-PM fiber and the reference mirror that rotates the polarization of the light; and a detector system that collects the reflected light from the sample arm and the reference arm and measures the power of the light collected from the sample arm as a function of a propagation distance, independent of the polarization state of the light collected from the sample arm, and wherein the reflected light from the reference arm enters the detector system having a defined polarization state that is independent of changes in birefringence in the non-PM fiber in the reference arm.