.*•»' •' ">.

\

I*

in o* NBS TECHNICAL NOTE 1034

^CAO O* *

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE / National Bureau of Standards

Backscatter Measurements

on Optical Fibers

.2
NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

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Backscatter Measurements

on Optical Fibers

NATIONAL BUKCAV

09 STANDARD?

UBR ART JUN 1 5 1981

fib

B.L Danielson

Electromagnetic Technology Division

National Engineering Laboratory

National Bureau of Standards

Boulder, Colorado 80303

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, Malcolm BakJrige, Secretary

NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS, Ernest Ambler, Director

Issued February 1981
NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS TECHNICAL NOTE 1034

Nat. Bur. Stand. (U.S.), Tech. Note 1034, 52 pages (Feb. 1981)

CODEN: NBTNAE

U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE WASHINGTON 1981

For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402

Price $3.25 (Add 25 percent additional for other than U.S. mailing)
CONTENTS

Paqe

1

.

INTRODUCTION 1

2. DESCRIPTION OF THE OTDR '. 2 2.1 Data Acquisition System 2 2.2 Laser Diode Sources 2 2.3 Detectors 5 2.4 Beam Splitters 5 2.5 Boxcar Averaqer 8 2.6 Launcher 9 2.7 Apertures 9

3. SIGNAL AND NOISE CONSIDERATIONS 10 3.1 Loss Budqet 10 3.2 Optimum Scatterinq Levels 12 3.3 Siqnal -to-Noise Ratio Improvement 12

4. MEASUREMENTS WITH UNPERTURBED FIBERS 13 4.1 Fiber Backscatter Siqnatures 13 4.2 Scatterinq Loss Measurements 20

4.3 Capture Fraction Measurements 22 4.3.1 Siqnificance of Capture Fractions 22 4.3.2 Theory and Experimental Methods 22 4.3.3 Fiber End Preparation 25 4.3.4 Numerical Aperture Measurements 27 4.3.5 Results 27 4.3.6 Error Analysis 28 4.3.7 Siqnificance of Mode Strippers 29 4.3.8 Discussion .' 30

4.4 Lenqth Determination and Fault Location 30

5. MEASUREMENTS WITH PERTURBED FIBERS 31 5.1 Absorption-like Siqnatures 31 5.2 Scatter-like Siqnatures 39

. COMPUTER SIMULATIONS 39

. CONCLUSIONS 39

. REFERENCES 41

. ACKNOWLEDGMENT 44

n l
LIST OF TABLES

Table 1. List of symbols, nomenclature and units vi Table 2. Capture fractions associated with various

scattering and reflection processes 24 Table 3. Capture fraction data 26 Table 4. Optical fiber data 26

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 2-1. Block diagram of the OTDR system 3 Figure 2-2. Backscatter signal, oscilloscope display. Fiber H 3 Figure 2-3. Backscatter signal, boxcar averager display. Fiber H 4 Figure 2-4. Backscatter signal, boxcar averager display,

logarithmic scale. Fiber H 4 Figure 2-5. Types of OTDR beamsplitters 6 Figure 2-6. Coupling loss as a function of beam splitter reflectivity 7 Figure 2-7. Coupling loss for a glass plate beam splitter

as a function of angle of incidence 7 Figure 2-8. Demountable fiber launcher 9 Figure 3-1. Backscatter power levels for silica at 850 nm 11 Figure 3-2. Relative backscatter power as a function of

the parameter X 11 Figure 4-1. Backscatter response for a concentric-core

fiber, center core. Fiber 14 Figure 4-2. Backscatter response for a concentric-core fiber,

center core, logarithmic scale. Fiber G 14 Figure 4-3. Backscatter response for a concentric-core fiber,

outer core. Fiber G 15 Figure 4-4. Backscatter response for a concentric-core fiber

outer core, logarithmic scale. Fiber G 15 Figure 4-5. Backscatter response for step-index fiber F 16 Figure 4-6. Backscatter response for step-index fiber F, logarithmic scale 16 Figure 4-7. Backscatter response for graded-index fiber 1 17 Figure 4-8. Backscatter response for graded-index fiber I, logarithmic scale 17 Figure 4-9. Backscatter response for graded-index fiber A 18 Figure 4-10. Backscatter response for graded-index fiber A, logarithmic scale 18 Figure 4-11. Backscatter response for graded-index fiber 19 Figure 4-12. Backscatter response for step-index fiber E 19

IV
Figure 4-13. Measured loss spectra, fiber A 21 Figure 4-14. Measured loss spectra, fiber B 21 Figure 4-15. Measured loss spectra, fiber D 22 Figure 4-16. Far-field equilibrium radiation pattern which

is used to determine the NA of fiber C 28

Figure 4-17. Index of refraction and qroup index for silica 32

Figure 4-18. Index of refraction and group index for

13.5 Ge0

? :86.5 SiO? qlass

' 32 Figure 4-19. Index of refraction and group index for

9.1 P

2 5 :90.9 Si02 glass 33

Figure 4-20. Group index measurements for five commercial

fibers. Measurements on three fibers repeated

to within 0.1 percent. From Franzen and Day [48] 33 Figure 5-1. Example of a scatter-like fault signature.

Gaussian probe pulse 34 Figure 5-2. Example of an absorption-like fault siqnature.

Gaussian probe pulse 34 Figure 5-3. Example of a composite fault signature consisting

of both scattering and absorption loss. Gaussian

probe pul se 35 Figure 5-4. Backscatter signature for a qraded-index fiber with

a fusion splice at the midpoint. The three other

irregularities are unidentified. Fiber J 35 Figure 5-5. Backscatter signatures resulting from a microbending

experiment (see text). Lower curve exhibits effect

of pressure-induced microbending. Upper curve represents the response in the relaxed state. Fiber K 37 Fiqure 5-6. Backscatter signature for a fiber wrapped on drums

of differing diameter. The input half of the fiber

is on a drum of diameter 30 cm, the output half of

the fiber is on a drum of 10 cm diameter. Fiber H 37 Fiqure 5-7. Backscatter signature under conditions similar to figure 5-6, except the final 7 percent of the fiber

is on the smaller drum. Fiber H 38

Fiqure 5-8. Computer simulation of radiation loss with an excess

F value of 0.0006, the other parameters beinq similar

to fiber H. Excess radiation loss beqins at time 345 38

Fiqure 5-9. Fault siqnature for a bubble in a qraded-index fiber.

This is an expanded scale of fiqure 2-4. Fiber H 40

Figure 5-10. Signature for a commercial coupler. The scatter

at 1.2 us is off scale. Fiber E.. 40
m-1

um

Hzms

-1

m' 1 m-V4

m-1

Table 1. List of Symbols, Nomenclature and Units

Symbol Nomenclature Units

a Sellmeier coefficient

A Absorption coefficient

b Sellmeier coefficient

B Bandwidth

C Velocity of light

C(X) Wavelenqth dependent absorption

D Rayleigh scattering coefficient

E Wavelength independent loss

F Capture fraction

i Detector current

IVPO Inside vapor phase oxidation

K Attenuation constant for NDF

L Fiber length

n Index of refraction

n-^ Index of refraction on fiber axis

n-j Index of refraction of fiber cladding

N Group index

NA Numerical aperture

NDF Neutral density filter

OVPO Outside vapor phase oxidation

P Degree of polarization

R Reflectivity

SNIR Signal-to-noise improvement ratio

SNR Signal-to-noise ratio

t Time

v

q Group velocity

W Pulse width

X Parameter equal to 2a

$ L

cx a Absorption loss coefficent

a

n Non-Rayleigh scattering loss coefficient

a

s Rayleigh scattering loss coefficient

aT Total loss coefficient = a +a +a 1 a n s a Relative index difference

A = (n

1

2 -n

2

2 )/2n

1

2

Half vertex angle of fiber output radiation

X Wavelength um

$ Power W

VI

s

rns -1

s

m"

-1

m"

1

m'

•1

m"

•1
BACKSCATTER MEASUREMENTS ON OPTICAL FIBERS

B. L. Danielson

An optical time domain ref lectometer (OTDR) and its components are described in detail. The system performance for this device is examined. Experimental

methods are described for the measurement of several parameters of interest in the characterization of optical fibers usinq the OTOR. These parameters include

scatterinq loss and capture fractions for unperturbed fibers. Experimental capture-fraction values are reported for several step and qraded-index fibers and

these results are compared with theoretical predictions. Rayleiqh backscatter

siqnatures are also presented for several fibers from different manufacturers.

Fault signatures are shown for some intrinsic and extrinsic fiber perturbations.

KEY WORDS: Backscatterinq; capture fractions; fiber scatterinq; optical time

domain ref lectometry; Rayleigh scatterinq.

1. INTRODUCTION

The optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR) is an instrument that was developed in 1976 [1,2] which has proved to be very useful in testinq optical fibers. It is similar in operation to the time domain reflectometer that has been used for many years to examine and

locate irregularities and mismatches in cables. In the optical case, the inherent Rayleiqh

backscattering which occurs in the fiber material also provides a visualization of the

attenuation and scatterinq properties of the waveguide as a function of lenqth. Not only

can the attenuation of the fiber be estimated, but anomalies may be located and characterized. An excellent review article by Rourke [3] contains much useful information on the

OTDR system and its application to a number of optical fiber measurement problems.

If a rectanqular optical pulse of width W and peak power $ is injected into a fiber,

the time-dependent response of the backscatter power at the input end of the fiber <i>(t) can

be shown to be [4]

*(t)' = 0.5 *oqss Wv Ta F + a F ] exp [-a,v t] (1-1) nn JKL Tq

where v is the qroup velocity, n

s the Rayleiqh scatterinq attenuation coefficient, and F

$ is the Rayleiqh capture fraction, that is, the fraction of the scattered radiation which is trapped in the fiber and returned in the backward direction. The quantities o

n and Fn refer

to the corresponding variables for non-Rayleigh type scattering processes. The total attenuation coefficient, ay is the sum of the scattering coefficients, a

$ and a

p

, and the absorption coefficient representing the conversion of pulse energy into heat, a . Equation (1-1)
applies to a uniform reciprocal fiber. In the more general case, both scattering and absorption coefficients as well as capture fractions may be a function of length.

In this report, we will document various experimental techniques for measuring the

parameters which occur in eq (1-1). We will also present examples of the observed characteristic backscatter responses, $(t), for fibers which do not possess uniform properties.

These backscatter "signatures" will be presented for fibers as received from the manufacturers as well as for fibers which have aberrations induced by external means. We will

attempt to correlate observed signatures with changes in the physical properties of the perturbed fibers.

Values of scattering coefficients, capture fractions, and other parameters appearing in eq (1-1) can be useful in the identification, characterization and location of anomalies

occuring in secure optical fiber communication systems. Also, this information may be helpful in OTDR design work, computer modeling and military fiber and cable specification.

2. DESCRIPTION OF THE OTOR

2.1 Data Acquisition System

Figure 2-1 shows a block diagram of the main elements of the OTDR system used to generate the data described in this report. The system was mounted on a bench top and no effort

was made toward making the device compact or transportable for field use. The main components will be described separately below. Figure 2-2 illustrates the nature of the unprocessed oscilloscope display for a graded-index fiber which demonstrates a scattering anomaly. Figure 2-3 represents the corresponding display from the boxcar integrator, and figure

2-4 the boxcar output on a logarithmic scale.

2.2 Laser Diode Sources^

For OTDR applications it is desirable to have optical sources capable of producing high

peak radiance and high repetition rate with pulse durations in the general range of 5 to 100

ns. If backscatter responses are to be used to estimate loss at the communication wavelength of interest, then the source should also emit radiation at that wavelength. In the

spectral region around 850 nm, a suitable pulsed source is the single heterojunction GaAlAs

laser diode which is available from a number of manufacturers [51. The diode used in the

present experiments was a RCA type C30012 [6] which was rated at 4 W peak power at a 1 kHz

repetition rate. With this source and 1:1 imaging optics it was possible to get a maximum

of about 1 W peak power coupled into most fibers.

Many RCA GaAlAs laser diodes are partially polarized. This property can help reduce

the coupling loss if a Glan-Thompson prism or polarizing beam splitter is used. It was found that the degree of polarization depends on the current drive level and also varies

from diode to diode. A good sample can have about 80 percent of the output radiation

polarized in one direction.
Chock

Ad|ustable

Delay Scan r , Trigger XY

Recorder Box CarAverager

Signal t [Reference

Calibration Pulse Generator

Power

Splitter

Counter

Oscilloscope

Trigger

Diode

Pulser

Fiber Aperture #1 Qcim^r^im Laser Diode Launcher

—K— Aperture #2

J L Neutral Density 2

<

APD

Amplifier

Index Matching

Fluid

Figure 2-1. Block diagram of the OTDR system. All lenses are lOx microscope objectives.

Figure 2-2. Backscatter signal, oscilloscope display. Fiber H.
Figure 2-3. Backscatter signal, boxcar averager display. Fiber H.

Figure 2-4. Backscatter signal, boxcar averager display, logarithmic scale. Fiber H,
Higher average output powers are possible with thermoelectric cooling of the laser

diode [7]. No cooling devices were used in the present work, however.

2.3 Detectors

In view of the low signal levels involved in backscatter systems, the detector usually

has internal gain. This can be either an avalanche photodiode (APD) or photomultiplier tube

(PMT). In our somewhat limited experience with both of these types of detectors, we have

found the APD to be preferable from several standpoints. In the present case we used an RCA

type C30818E silicon APD [8]. For accurate measurements, the linearity of the detector at the normal operating gain is an important consideration. We checked the linearity in the

following manner. A calibrated neutral density filter (NDF) with approximately 3 dB attenuation (neutral density 0.3) was inserted in the backscatter beam and the signal level noted.

Comparison between the unattenuated and observed signal levels yields a quantitative measure

of the detector linearity. When using this method, the NDF should always be inserted in the

beam where the rays are parallel and allowance should be made for the fact that the focused

beam may be displaced slightly. If the detector response is not uniform across its sensitive area, the apparent detector responsivity may change. This problem may to a large ex- tent be obviated by mounting the detector on a XYZ translator and maximizing all signals

prior to reading. Figure 2-1 shows an appropriate location for insertion of the NDF. Linearity may also be checked over a wider dynamic range with this method by using higher density filters.

2.4 Beamsplitters

Several types of possible OTDR beamsplitters and some of their characteristics are illustrated in figure 2-5. The coupling loss which is listed in the figure is based on the

assumption that the backscattered radiation is unpolarized, since few fibers maintain polarization for more than a few meters [9]. The coupling loss is then defined as

•l Coupling loss = 10 log — (dB) (2-1)

$2

where $i is the collimated laser diode output power and $2 is the power that is directed

toward the detector after having undergone a lossless reflection. For polarizing beamsplitters this coupling loss will depend on the initial state and degree of source polarization. The minimum loss is for 100 percent polarization in the direction indicated by the

arrows in figure 2-5.

Most commercially available 50:50 (nominal) beamsplitters do not have an exact 50:50

beamsplitter ratio, and this ratio may be a function of wavelenqth. Figure 2-6 demonstrates

how the coupling loss changes with reflectivity (we assume that transmission + reflection

" I)-

Figures 2-5(b) and 2-7 indicate that a fairly efficient beamsplitter can be constructed

from a glass plate if it is used at a high angle of incidence. The parameter P represents
Beam Splitter Type Coupling Loss Remarks

:«) ^ 6 dB One surface coated for 50% trans- mission. See figure 2-6.

^ 5 dB min, Glass plate, n=1.51. See

figure 2-7.

dB Optical fiber coupler. See text.

3 dB min. Glan prism polarizer. Polarizer direction indicated by arrows.

3 dB min. Beam splitting Thompson prism.

(f)

Nv Taper coupler [1]

Figure 2-5. Types of OTDR beam splitters.
20.0

18.

S

T

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1-

17.0 -

15.5 -1 1-

r\ \ / CO \ 1 "0 \s 14.

a

" \ / CO \ / CO \ / o

-1 12.5 " \ /

o \ / zH 1 1 .0 \ / Q-3 \ / O \ / u 9.5 \ /

8.0 \. /

6.5

5.0 ^-^__

^^^

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 REFLECTIVITY

0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0

Figure 2-6. Coupling loss as a function of beam splitter reflectivity,

20.0

10 23 30 40 50 60 ANGLE OF INCIDENCE CDEG3

Figure 2-7. Coupling loss for a glass plate beam splitter as a function of angle of

incidence for different degrees of polarization of the incident beam.
the fraction of the laser diode power which is polarized in the direction perpendicular to the plane defined by the normal to the plate surface and the incoming beam propagation vector. In the calculation of the coupling loss for this device we have taken into account

reflections from both the front and back surfaces. The Fresnel equations [10] were used to determine the reflectivity as a function of angle of incidence. A prism may also be used in the same manner.

If space is a consideration, the beam splitter illustrated in figure 2-5(c) is another

possibility. The laser diode, detector and test fiber can be connected together by appropriate pigtails. Since numerical apertures of fibers are independent of their diameters,

the diode can couple into the launch fiber with a relatively high efficiency in the forward

direction. The coupling loss is calculated from branching ratios determined from the relative fiber cross sections presented to the backward traveling wave. This arrangement

apparently has not been described in the literature.

We have employed the Glan prism of figure 2-5(d) in the current work. This beam

splitter provides good isolation (-37 dB) to Fresnel reflections from the input end of the

fiber, and has a relatively low coupling loss. One disadvantage is the fact that the prism

material is dispersive; the backscattered radiation is returned at different angles as the

wavelength is changed. Use of different laser sources causes misalignment at the detector. The Foster or beam-splitting Glan-Thompson prism shown in figure 2-5(e) corrects this

problem, but at considerable expense. Polarizing beam splitters do not have this difficulty, but the thin films that comprise the beam splitting surface do not maintain their polarizing properties over a wide spectral interval.

The taper coupler (fig. 2-5(f)) has been described by Barnoski et al . [1].

Other types of beam splitters have been described in the literature, including bifurcated couplers [11], and a patented coupling cell filled with index-matching liquid and a beam splitter [12]. Optical fiber directional couplers are also available commercially, but

have not been evaluated by our laboratories.

2.5 Boxcar Averager

The signal averaging device used in the present work was a PAR Model 162 boxcar integrator. This particular instrument has the desirable feature that ratios may be taken of

the scanned backscatter signal and an unscanned reference signal. The latter is obtained

from a power divider after the first stage of amplification. This type of signal processing

minimizes the effect of drift in the laser diode source and detector.

The adjustable delay (fiq. 2-1) allows the boxcar scan to beqin at any desired point in time. Since time maps into distance along the fiber, this is equivalent to starting the

scan at any desired fiber location.

The time scan of the boxcar averager may be calibrated with markers which are output

from a pulse generator. Time intervals are measured with an electronic timer/counter. The

display time for a full scale scan is then accurate to within an estimated 0.02 percent.

8
2.6 Launcher

A fiber launcher which we have found to be convenient is shown in figure 2-8. This is

an adaptation of a device originally described by Dakin et al . [13]. It consists of a precision-bore capillary tube [14] which is flared at one end for easy insertion of the

fiber. The usual capillary diameter of 0.152 mm will hold 0.125 mm o.d. fibers without

creep once the fibers are inserted. The launcher is filled with index-matching oil which

also serves as a mode stripper. Once aligned, fibers may be removed and reinserted without

significant realignment. However, care must be exercised that dust or foreign matter does

not contaminate the bore or launch end. The launcher is demountable so that it can be

cleaned if desired.

RING

SEAL

OIL FILL

N

*"'-•"»"••-'•" ^^•"*'•*'' '''•'' '" '•''

wv,vvvvvvvvv?a . 1 mm MICROSCOPE

COVER SLIP

PRECISION BORE

GLASS CAPILLARY

Figure 2-8. Demountable fiber launcher.

It is not necessary to use antireflection coatings on the glass cover slip-on the input

end if polarizing optics are used for the beam splitter. The reflection off the front sur- face is polarized and therefore largely rejected at the Glan prism coupler.

2.7 Apertures

The aperture labeled No. 1 in figure 2-1 is a laser-drilled pinhole and is used to control the spot size on the fiber. In certain cases, for example, with concentric-core

fibers, it may be desirable to restrict the set of excited modes which are launched at the

input end of the fiber. Alignment is facilitated if the optics have a magnification of

one. Here the desired spot size is the same as the pinhole size and is independent of the

launch NA. The aperture labeled No. 2 in the same figure is used to reduce the magnitude of

the Fresnel reflection from the input end of the fiber. However, in many of the measurements reported on here, both apertures were removed in order to maximize the backscatter

signal .
3. SIGNAL AND NOISE CONSIDERATIONS

3.1 Loss Budget

The ultimate limitation on the OTDR system for obtaining useful information from optical fibers will be associated with the problem of extracting useful signals in the presence

of noise. The backscatter power levels are inherently small, and for fibers that are many

kilometers in length, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the returning signal may be degraded to an unacceptable level. We will present here a numerical example of the backscatter

signal levels to be expected in a somewhat idealized OTDR system for a special case. We consider a pure silica fiber whose only loss is due to the intrinsic Rayleigh scattering,

and a laser diode whose radiation is 100 percent polarized. Other conditions are assumed as follows:

Pulse duration W Electronic bandwidth B Rayleigh scattering loss (850 nm)

Absorption loss a

a Peak power input to fiber <J> Beamsplitter coupling loss

Optical losses (lenses, etc.)

Group velocity v Capture fraction F.

50 ns

20 MHz

1.5 dB/km (3.45 x in- 4nepers/m)

dB/km

1 W (+30 dBm)

6 dB

0.2 dB

2.01 x 108 m/s

0.005

From eq (1-1) we can calculate the maximum backscatter power in the fiber, at t=0, to be about -20.6 dBm, or considering the beamsplitter cooling loss and optical loss, a power

of about -26.8 dBm at the detector. From design data presented elsewhere [15], we can infer

that, for a given SNR, a typical APD requires a power level <J> r of approximately

10 log B -73 + [SNR-10] 0.88 W. 3-1)

For a minimum SNR of dB, we have

*rs -69 dBm !3-2)

This implies a loss margin of about 42 dB, so that a fiber may have a one way loss of 21 dB

and still have an observable backscatter feature. For the silica fiber considered here this

represents a length of about 14 km. In most cases the loss of comrnercially available fibers

is much greaer than 1.5 dB/km at 850 nm so that the critical length is reduced correspondingly.

Figure 3-1 illustrates the backscatter signal levels expected from eq (1) as a function

of fiber length for several probe pulse widths (at constant peak power) for silica at 850

nm. We have converted time to length according to the usual prescription 2L=tv .

10
-45

-50

-55 ^^^^ 100 na

—i

1 1 1

SILICA

850 na

-

g -* . ^\. 10 r» ^^-v

3O

1

-70

0!Id

1- ^^^^

5 "75 o

(0V3 -80

CD

^^^. 1 rm ^\

^*\^

-85 "\ ^^\. "

-90 ^^\^

-95 i i i i i l i 1 ^\l

4 5 6 FIBER LENGTH CknO

10

Figure 3-1. Backscatter power levels for silica at 850 nm. To a first approximation

this power is proportional to the probe duration as shown here. Other

conditions are given in the text.

0.0

-3.0

-6.0 / ^^^^

ID3 -9-0

at -/ ^^\ klg-12.0

a. I \

£-15.0

i-<

05 -18.0 o

<m -2l .0 \

(0o

-1 -24.0 N. -

-27.0 -

-38.0 . i i : l 1 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

X

5.0 6.0 7.0 8.0

Figure 3-2. Relative backscatter power as a function of the parameter X (see text)

11
3.2 Optimum Scattering Levels

An examination of eq (1-1) shows that the backscatter power is proportional to the Rayleigh scattering loss a

$

. Being a form of loss, a

$ also decreases the signal as a funtion

of length through the exponential factor exp(-a-|-v

qt) . For a given length, L, then, there is

an optimum a

$ which maximizes the backscatter signal at that point. This is easily seen to

be

1 a. =

s "~2T >3)

where a

s has units of nepers/m and L is in meters. Figure 3-2 shows the relative backscatter signal as a function of the parameter X=2a

$ L. We have normalized this plot in such

a way that 0.5 FWv

q

= 1. As an example, for a fiber length of 2.6 km, the maximum backscatter signal occurs for a Rayleigh scattering loss which is just equal to that of pure

silica (850 nm)

.

3.3 Signal -to-Noise Ratio Improvement

There are many possible avenues for improving the SNR of the backscatter signal. For example, one can increase the averaging time, peak power, or increase the pulse width at quasi -constant power. However, these strategies often have their limits, and sometimes have

deleterious side effects. We will now examine some of these possibilities.

Increasing the peak power, for example with a YAG laser, can result in nonlinear scattering processes, although for multimode fibers the thresholds appear to be very high [16,

17]. Often high peak powers are simply not available at the wavelength of interest.

With many laser diode sources it is possibleN to increase the pulse width at constant

peak power output, without exceeding the maximum drive current specifications. The optical

backscatter power is directly proportional to the probe pulse width W according to eq (1-1). For square-law detectors the corresponding electrical power is proportional to the

square of the optical power. Also, in this case, the electronic signal bandwidth can be

adjusted to be approximately 1/W (Hz); for white noise the (electrical) noise power will be

inversely proportional to pulse width. We then have an apparent signal-to-noise improvement

which varies as the third power of the pulse width W. However, fault-location resolution is degraded as a consequence. In addition, if W > l/a-i-v a

, the background backscatter signature

is distorted, making attenuation measurements less accurate and interpretation of anomalies more difficult.

It is well known that the SNR also can be increased by appropriate averaging. For Gaussian noise processes, averaging N samples will reduce the mean rms current noise by a factor of N~% or the mean noise power by a factor of 1/N. One would expect then, that the

SNR should increase directly with N or with averaging time. The boxcar integrator operates

on this principle. However, these expectations are realized only for certain stationary

random noise processes. In real-world systems, flicker noise, drifts, or nonrandom (coherent) types of interference will generally set a limit to the SNR which can be attained with

an increase in averaging time.

12
4. MEASUREMENTS WITH UNPERTURBED FIBERS

4.1 Fiber Backscatter Signatures

An estimate of the total attenuation of an optical fiber is easily made from an examination of the background backscatter signature, that is the backscatter power versus time

profile which is a characteristic of the fiber in question. As used here, the background

signature refers to the response due to uniform Rayleigh scattering in the fiber and is distinguished from fault signatures discussed in a later section which arise from fiber irregularities or faults. The degree of agreement between backscatter-derived loss determinations

and the conventional cut-back loss values depends on measurement procedures as well as the

intrinsic properties of the fiber. The procedures and conditions necessary for good agreement have been discussed at length elsewhere [18]; we will note here only that if the properties of the fiber are uniform (not a function of length) and reciprocal (the same in both

forward and backward directions) then the losses determined from the cut-back and backscatter methods sould be equal. In some cases the actual fiber attenuation may be inferred

from OTDR measurements when these conditions are not fulfilled [19].

We will show in this section some typical backscatter scans, from which attenuation may

be inferred, in order to demonstrate their appearance, the variability between manufacturers, and some possible significance to the fine structure which is often observed. It will

sometimes be convenient to display the linear backscatter signature (fig. 4-1) and at other

times the logarithmic signature (fig. 4-2). The linear display emphasizes irregularities

near the launch end of the fiber and can be used to determine attenuation with no Y-axis

calibration. The logarithmic display requires a system calculation to calibrate the Y-axis,

but has a wider dynamic range and provides for easy visual identification of nonlinear loss

regions. These are manifested by changes in slope.

Figures 4-1 to 4-3 represent the backscatter scans from a concentric-core fiber [20].

This type of fiber has a special geometry consisting of two step-type channels in one

fiber. One of the cores is on axis and the second is in the form of a concentric annulus.

It will be noted that there is a high degree of correlation in the irregularities appearing

on the scans of both channels. These fluctuations are reproducible and are observed on most

of the fibers we have tested. They are most likely due to diameter changes which arise

while the fiber is being drawn. Rourke [3] has shown that diameter variations will produce

effects of this sort, although other explanations have also been offered [21].

Figures 4-4 to 4-12 show the signatures of other fibers which also exhibit irregularities. In all of these samples, the fluctuations are a real effect and are not due to system

noise. It is apparent that some fibers manifest much smaller variations than others.

Fibers A and E (both from the same manufacturer) are particularly smooth in this regard. It

is also clear that, for certain applications, such as secure communications, where it is desired to detect as small a fault signature as possible, these background irregularities

should be minimized.

13
8 9 10

Figure 4-1. Backscatter response for a concentric-core fiber, center core. Fiber G.

Figure 4-2. Backscatter response for a concentric-core fiber, center core, logarithmic

scale. Fiber G.

14
Figure 4-3. Backscatter response for a concentric-core fiber, outer core. Fiber G.

—I 1 1 1 r" -1 1 I

1 1-

_l 1 1 1_ -I 1 1 1- 12 3 4 5 6 TIME Cue}

7 8 9 10

Figure 4-4. Backscatter response for a concentric-core fiber, outer core, logarithmic

scale. Fiber G.

15
Figure 4-5. Backscatter response for step-index fiber F

Figure 4-6. Backscatter response for step-index fiber F, logarithmic scale.

16
Figure 4-8. Backscatter response for graded- index fiber I, logarithmic scale.

Figure 4-7. Backscatter response for graded-index fiber I

17
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 TIME Cus)

Figure 4-9. Backscatter response for graded-index fiber A.

2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 TIME (us)

Figure 4-10. Backscatter response for graded-index fiber A, logarithmic scale.

18
Figure 4-11. Backscatter response for graded-index fiber D,

Figure 4-12. Backscatter response for step-index fiber E.

19
4.2 Scattering Loss Measurements

In eq (1-1) we have divided the scattering mechanisms in fibers into two different

categories, Rayleigh and non-Rayleigh. Rayleigh scattering originates in intrinsic spatial

variations in the index of refraction and in fluctuations in the dopant material which occur

on a small scale compared with the wavelength. It is characterized by a (1+ cos e) angular

dependence and is inversely proportional to the fourth power of the wavelength. Olshansky

[22] gives an excellent review of Rayleigh scattering in fibers, along with many useful

references. Non-Rayleigh scattering includes such processes as microbendinq, core-claddinq

interface scattering, Mie scattering, radiation from bends (macrobendinq) , and scattering,

or reflection, from fiber imperfections. Most of these mechanisms will scatter radiation

predominantly in the forward direction (i.e., F is small) so that their effects on the

backscatter signature is similar to an absorption process.

Many different methods have been developed for measuring scattering in fibers [23,24,

25]. These are all variants of integrating spheres which have the severe disadvantage, in our application, of measuring forward as well as Rayleigh-type scattering. A technique

proposed by Inada [26], and implemented by other authors [27,28], avoids this problem. In this method the spectral loss is plotted as a function of \~ k

. If ay represents the total

loss

a, = — + E + C(X) (4-1) " A

1*

where D is the Rayleigh scattering coefficient in units of m

-1

A

+l+

, E is the loss contribution which is independent of wavelength, and C(x) is the wavelenqth contribution which in our case is dominated by OH absorption. The Rayleigh scattering coefficient can be determined by a least-squares fit to eq (4-1) by iqnoring wavelengths around 950 nm where water

absorption is important. The fibers described in section 4.3.5 were measured in this fashion in order to obtain a

$

values for capture fraction determinations. Some sample plots are shown in figures 4-13, 4-14, and 4-15 which show the variability of these types of plots.

All are graded-index fibers. Fiber A demonstrates a loss dependence on launch NA. However,

the Rayleigh scattering coefficient (the slope of the straight-line fit) is independent of

launch NA. The difference in total loss has been attributed to excess core-cladding scattering [26]. Fibers B and D do not exhibit this effect. Fiber D has a very small residual

loss coefficient E which was unusual in the fibers tested. It is instructive to compare

these results with pure silica. Values of scattering coefficients vary somewhat depending

on sample preparation and whether measurements are made on bulk material or fibers. Values

of 0.80 dB km" 1 um+4 (1.84 x 10

_1+ nepers m" 1 um

+1+

) are typical [29,30]. The lowest reported

loss in a graded-index multimode fiber had a Rayleigh scattering coefficient of 1.0 dB km" 1

urn

l+ [28]. Scattering levels usually increase with dopant concentration.

20
_L _L

1.0 9 .7 Wavelength (jjm)

Figure 4-13. Measured loss spectra, fiber A.

lb

14 - —I- - , - ,

Fiber B O 0.24 NA

I / o -

13 —

a 0.09 NA

-

12 - -

11 -

10 -

E

9

COo

-i 6

s* -

5

-

4 - -

3 ~S

-

2

-

1

I I I

I

-

1.0 .9 Wavelength (um)

Figure 4-14. Measured loss spectra, fiber B.

21
I

i r Fiber D O 0.24 NA

n 0.09 NA

1.0 .9 Wavelength (jjm)

Figure 4-15. Measured loss spectra, fiber D.

4.3 Capture Fraction Measurements

4.3.1 Significance of Capture Fractions

The numerical value of optical fiber capture fractions contribute to the data base

which is essential to design engineers in the following applications areas:

1. Passive (optical fiber) gyroscopes. The ultimate attainable SNR and accuracy will

be dependent on backscatter power levels which are proportional to the capture

fractions [31].

2. Full-duplex communication systems. In systems which employ a single wavelength for

bidirectional transmission on a fiber, backscatter levels will determine the SNR

and crosstalk [32,33].

3. OTDR systems. Backscatter signal levels will determine the allowable fiber loss

for location of breaks or defects.

4. Computer simulation studies. Realistic values for F are required for proper

computer modeling as described in section 6.

4.3.2 Theory and Experimental Methods

The capture fraction F (also referred to as the backscatter factor or trapping factor)

represents the fraction of the radiation which is scattered or otherwise removed from the

forward propagating pulse which falls within the acceptance cone of the fiber and is therefore confined within the guided wave structure. We will be concerned here only with that

22
radiation travelling in a direction opposite to the probe pulse. The concept of capture

fractions is usually restricted to Rayleigh scatterinq, but we will use it here in a broader

sense; e^ery process or event, discrete or distributed, which removes radiation from the

probe pulse and returns at least some of this radiation in the back direction has associated

with it a capture fraction. Table 2 lists the capture fractions which can be identified

with some scattering and reflection processes in several different types of fibers. We have

also included F values of some fiber perturbations which have their characteristic capture

fractions. Some of these, as we will see in section 5, are too small to be measured but

upper limits can be placed on their magnitude.

We will in the first instance concern ourselves with the actual experimental determination of fiber capture fractions associated with scattering processes which vary inversely

with the fourth power of the wavelength: Rayleigh and Brillouin scattering. Brillouin

scattering is expected to have the same angular and wavelength dependence as the Rayleigh

scattering and will therefore have the same value of F. According to Lin [21], the

Brillouin scattering coefficient is about 13 percent as large as the Rayleigh coefficient.

Theoretical values for the Rayleigh scattering capture fractions have been derived by

several authors [2,21,33,34,35]; we will use the results of Neumann [4] as follows:

For a step-index fiber

and for a graded-index fiber

F-KMI! (4-2]

8 n L 2

IMl (4-3)

4 ni 2

In both equations ni is the value of refraction on the fiber axis. We see than, that for

identical NA and m values the capture fractions for a graded-index fiber are smaller than

the step-index fiber by a factor of 2/3.

The approach we have taken for the experimental determination of F is based on eq (1-1)

where a known signal level is compared with the observed backscatter signal level. A con- venient "calibrated" signal level in this case is the Fresnel reflection from a perfect

fiber break. The ratio of the power reflected $ to the power backscattered for an ideal

cleave $

s is given by [27]

Ji-^L (4-4)

<J> a cWF

s s where W is the probe pulse width, R the Fresnel reflectivity, and the other quantities have

been defined previously. This relation is independent of the total attenuation and lenqth

of the test fiber. The reflectivity is given by the relation

23
II

II 1—

II ^r

II 1—

! 1

II *r

IIr--

p 1 1 •

II 1—r-~ 4- re re

II CM «* • a> 4J •p

II 1 i i i 4- 4- re re • II CO o T3

CO II • • 4- «

o> II i*_ 4-

X i— r—

CO II CO CO » CO f—

re re CO II 4- 4- X -o I—

o +J »-> <U II CO c o • c c

<J II »1 •« -o •r— c • o CO CO O II 4- 4- c o o E E

4- II CO <D CO •r— -o t— II •t— O- II J* JO -O CO +j II 4. 4-

II s. •i— •i— Q. o o o CO co

C II re «4- <4- CO (O CO < a. Q. O II E +J 4- r— X X X

•1- II 0) C0 CO CO en <4_ *> CO CO CO

+-> II cc o -o CO

X o O II o o CO CO l_ CO I—

c 1—LT) LT) CO II E E o o T? CO •1^- 00 i— II o o r— c CO CO c C

U- II co CO E E CO • r- 1—

X! I—

o o

ai it r— r— c CO •^ •r— i- ii ai en +j +J CO D. o • ••J 4->

ii c c r— r— CO CO <4- re «4_ o O

-o II i— •i— 3 3 l_ 4-> co s. co CO CO C II CO CO E E Li- iVO c. cr. 4- 00 CO

<T3 II

II CD II C II •i- II 4- II CO II +-> II 4-> II to II O II CM

co ii *—*

II <| -H

CO II ^1

C 3 II O II •1- II c *T

S- II o CM

<0 II •l^- • > ii +-> c

ii <_> .C II re o

4-> II 4- »-> •i— II C|_ 3 II CM «* in

II ai ^-^ 1 i T3 II S- <| .-H o o a> ii 3 CM z|c CM CM •—

•—

-:-' II +-> *—

*-* *—

<0 II Q. <| t-l <l •-, rfl ,-H

X

X

•>- II re z |e t-H ^ |c fe|c CO CO O II o - . - CM «^- «* CM CO LO O II • • • CO || CO II re II

II

r-H |CM o oo loo ^h hr ^H o o V

V

CO II C II O II 1- II -> II O II <C II 4- II 4- II cr,

II c

ai ii •r— 4- II o 3 II c

4-> II o CO Cl II «i- «* X3

(O II o O II Jk^ .*: co jk: CO 4-

II CT> <o to r— re j—

O

II c C7> C7> CJ) CO CO en CO cr. •r- • II CO •r- c c c J- j- c 4- c E

CM II o 4- •r— •f— v— jQ JD CO JD re

II 4- CO 4- 4- 4- o <L> II 3 4-> CO CO co E E +J E +* CO i— II o +J (-> »-> 4-> o o 1^ O r— o

.0 II CO A3 4-> t-> +J s_ t- •1— 4- •i— 3

tO II

O fO re re 4_ c»- *J »4- 4-> "O

1- II 4- CO

O o o CO c

II O) CO CO CO c c CO

C CO "O •1^

II +->

O o o o o o c 1

II +-> .E JE sz •1^ •r- <T3 •p— re co CO

II <0 Ol o> Cn cr> •l-> «J CI- +j 4- JD 4-

II o O •i^- •r- •»r- o O o 3

II CO 4- <D co co CO CO TS CO -o 4- CO

II J* +J i— r— f— 1— ^~ c r- c co CO

II o o >-> >> >1 4- ci- CO Ct- CO J3 co

II re CO re (O 10 a> OJ co •^ 4-

II CO •-H CC oc a£ cc cc cc Li- o_

24
(ni-1) 2 R

= (4-5)

(rn+1) 2

If we assume that the entire core is of index m, and the cleave is a mirror surface perpendicular to the fiber axis. We can then relate F to quantities which are observables as follows:

2(ni-l) 2 N $

F = -1 (4-6)

( ni +l) 2 a

$ cW $r

In our experiment we measure a as described in section 4.2, and estimate N and ni according

to section 4.4. The probe pulse is nearly rectangular and its width W is easily obtained

from an oscilloscope trace. The ratio ®r /$

s is determined as follows: The fiber was cleaved and examined for end quality (see section 4.3.3). Since the power level $r

is large compared with $

s (typically +30 dB), it is necessary to place a carefully calibrated neutral

density filter with attenuation constant K in front of the detector at the position noted in figure 2-1. The rays at this point are approximately parallel so that no corrections are necessary for the NDF attenuation, and the location of the focus on the APD is unchanged.

The detector is mounted on an XYZ translator so that it is easy to check for a signal maximum. After the signal level K$

r from the fiber break is noted, the fiber end is immersed in

an index matching fluid to suppress unwanted reflections and the backscatter signal $

s is observed at the same location in the fiber. If the NDF is chosen correctly the signal level

at the APD will be approximately the same as in the prior measurement of * . This tends to minimize any nonlinear response effects in the APD. Since K is known, the ratio $

r /$

s is

easily deduced. This information is used with eq (4-6) to determine the values of the capture fraction for six step and qraded-index fibers. At least six measurements were made on each fiber in order to obtain an estimate of the statistical errors.

4.3.3 Fiber End Preparation

In order to use eq (4-6) for the determination of capture fractions, it is essential to have the fiber ends cleaved so that they are perfectly reflecting mirror surfaces. Gloge

[37] has shown that, in general, the glass fiber fracture face is composed of three regions

known as the mirror, the mist and the hackle zones. If properly cleaved, the surface consists entirely of a mirror zone. In addition to being smooth and flat, the end surface must

be perpendicular to the fiber axis. Marcuse [38] has shown that, for end faces tilted with

respect to the plane perpendicular to the fiber axis as little as two degrees, the reflectivity can change by 30 percent (parabolic index fiber, A = 0.01). Here A is the relative index difference of the fiber, A = (n^ 2 -n2 2 )/2n

i

2

. We have used the scribe-and-pull technique

of Chesler and Dabby [39] in order to produce the highest quality of fiber breaks. In this

method, the fiber is held between thumb and forefinger, scribed with a silicon carbide razor

blade [40], and then pulled until broken. The fiber must be pulled straight without bending. Experience has shown that this method produces fractures of superior quality to those

obtained from other breaking techniques [41,42].

25
Table 3. Capture fraction data

Fiber Type 10 3

F 10 3 F Experimental Theory

A Graded 3.4 + 0.6 4.56

B Graded 6.1 ± 1.2 6.74

C Graded 6.6 + 1.3 6.83

D Graded 2.9 ± 0.6 6.49

E Step 2.0 + 0.4 7.11

F Step 5.7 ± 1.1 13.9

Table 4. Optical fiber data

Fiber Length

m

NA > a,. 819 nm dB/km

ai

aj r s

A 975 0.20 3.27 71 2386

B 1300 0.24 2.07 67 946

C 1089 0.24 1.64 71 1106

D 1167 0.23 3.35 91 1346

E 782 0.20 3.00 49 1950

F 1200 0.28 2.40 78 883

26
The fiber-end quality was determined by microscopic examination and with an He-Ne laser

technique described by Reitz [43]. With the latter method, a low power laser illuminates

the end of the fiber. The quality of the end break will determine the type of reflection

pattern on a remote screen. A small spot indicates a mirror surface fiber end. Diffused or large spots or visible scatter from the end indicates a poor break. The locus of points

described by the reflected beam on a calibration target as the fiber is rotated, determines

the end-face angle (the axis of rotation is the fiber axis). This rotation is easily done

with the fingers if the fiber is held in a precision bore capillary tube [14]. With care, these angles can be kept within a degree or less of being perfectly perpendicular to the

fiber axis.

4.3.4 Numerical Aperture Measurements

There are a number of interpretations and definitions of the term "numerical aperture"

(NA) [44]. We have chosen the far-field equilibrium radiation pattern as the appropriate

physical quantity from which we determine the numerical values of NA for use in eqs (4-2)

and (4-3). Figure 4-16 is an example of such a radiation pattern from fiber C. The fiber

was flooded to excite all possible modes and measurements were taken at the output end (1.2

km) in order to approximate equilibrium conditions. For our purposes we will take NA = sine

where e is half the vertex angle at which the output irradiance falls to 0.05 of the on-axis

irradiance. In a series of comparisons for graded-index fibers [45], the NA determined in this way has been found to agree (to within about 10 percent) with the NA derived from index

measurements according to the equation

NA = (m 2 - n 2

2

)1/2

. (4-7)

This relation is independent of the profile parameter, that is, whether the fiber is of the

step or graded-index variety. The exact identification is, however, complicated by the presence of lossy high order modes and leaky modes [46,47].

4.3.5 Results

The results of the capture fraction measurements are listed in table 3. We see that

experimental F values for three of the four graded-index fiber A, B, and C agree fairly well

with the result calculated from eq (4-3). Fiber D, however, has a value almost a factor of

two less than expected. For the step-index fibers all measured values are less than the

simple theory, eq (4-2), predicts.

Fibers A and E were from the same manufacturer, as were fibers B, C, and F. Fiber D was obtained from a third manufacturer. For reference purposes some of the properties of

these fibers are listed in table 4. There does not seem to be an obvious correlation of low

F values with any other of the measured fiber parameters.

27
FIBER C

ANGLE

Figure 4-16. Far-field equilibrium radiation pattern which is used to determine the NA of

fiber C. The angle between the 5 percent intensity points is indicated by the arrows.

4.3.6 Error Analysis

The uncertainties in the determination of F values which appear in table 2 were ex- pressed as estimated standard errors evaluated in the following manner. The standard errors

Ax

n in the independent random variables x

p and the systematic errors Ay

n in the variables yr can be taken to contribute to the total fractional measurement standard error aF/F as

AF "T

3£

n=l

AX_ V? 2 AY. '4-81

where individual measurement variables and their fractional errors are:

Power ratio $

Group velocity v Phase index m

Pulse width W Rayleigh scattering a

0.12

0.014

0.02

0.03

0.10

28
The quantities Ax

n (for $, W, a

$

) represent one sigma calculated values. The systematics

AYn (f°r ni » O are ^ est estimates for the limits of error. We have then, from eq (15)

AF/F = 0.19. This number was used to calculate the tabulated uncertainties appearing in table 2.

4.3.7 Significance of Mode Strippers

Since Rayleigh scattering is approximately isotropic, it is possible for some of the

rays emerging from the scattering centers on the fiber axis to be captured by the cladding. If the index of refraction of the surrounding medium is smaller than the cladding,

rays may be refracted at the air-cladding interface and trapped in the backward direction.

This will increase the effective capture fractions. Stone [24] has analyzed this problem

and found that the one-way capture fraction F for a bare cladding in air is

F =- [ 1 - 1 (- -)] (4-9)

c

2 4 n! 3n! 3

This quantity is, rather surprisingly, independent of the cladding index of refraction and

fiber diameter. The numerical value of F can be rather large; for example, for a core

index of 1.45, the value of F

c is approximately 0.20 or a factor of approximately 100 larqer

than a mode-stripped fiber which has no backscattered power propagating in the cladding.

We have conducted an experiment to determine the importance of mode strippers on the

backscattered signal. This was done by replacing the usual launcher described in section

2.5 by a holder that contained no index matching fluid. The backscatter signal was recorded

by observation on the oscilloscope. A section of fiber close to the launching end was then

placed on a mode stripper consisting of 12 cm of felt which was saturated with an oil having

index greater than n2. A weight placed on the fiber insured good optical contact with the

oil. The backscatter signal was again recorded. For most of the fibers there was no perceptible change in backscatter signal. The maximum observed change represented a 12 percent

drop in signal with application of the mode stripper.

These results indicate that, at least for the fibers tested here, there is a negligible

amount of backscattered power propagatinq in the cladding. There are two possible reasons

for this. The loss of the cladding is usually very high (100 dB/km) so that the radiation

in the cladding is rapidly attenuated. This is particularly true for the inside vapor phase

oxidation (IVPO) process where the soot is deposited on the inside of a lossy silica tube.

For other manufacturing processes, for example the outside vapor phase oxidation (OVPO), the

cladding may not be as lossy. Secondly, if the fiber is in contact with a jacket, coating,

or other material of index greater than m, the rays in the cladding will escape into the

surrounding medium. We conclude then, for the fibers we have tested from three different

manufacturers, mode strippers do not have a significant effect on backscatter signal levels

or capture fraction determinations.

29
4.3.8 Discussion

We see from the capture fraction results in table 2 that slightly over one half the

experimental F values do not have limits of error that bracket the values predicted from

simple theory. The experimental values are consistantly low. We feel that the experimental

determinations of capture fractions described here represent a realistic approach to the

measurement of these physical quantities and that the low values are real. This conclusion

implies that there are deficiencies in the theoretical model we have used, at least as it applies to certain fiber configurations. Neumann [4] has discussed some of the approximations and physical effects which have been neglected in the derivation of eqs (4-2) and

(4-3). The presence of leaky modes, mode selective attenuation, variations in the fiber

material as a function of length, variations in scattering as a function of fiber radius and

changes in modal energy distributions could all effect the simple theoretical predictions.

Pending independent F measurements by other investigators, we tentatively conclude that

the magnitude of the capture fraction as qiven by eqs (4-2) and (4-3) may yield excessively

large values in some fibers. The discrepancies are largest for the step-index fibers which

we tested.

4.4 Length Determination and Fault Location

The OTDR also yields a quick estimate of the lenqth of the fiber L from time-of-fl ight

measurements. This distance is determined from observations of the time interval between

Fresnel reflections at the front and far ends of the fiber according to the relation

L = ^- (4-10)

2N

where T is the time interval, c the velocity of light, and N the group index of the fiber.

In order to measure time intervals with precision, it is necessary to have a source capable

of emitting a fast-risetime pulse. Measurement accuracy requires a knowledge of the group

index N. This information may be available from manufacturers. Experimentally, group velocities, c/N, can be fixed for a short sample of a given fiber, by means of a shuttle-pulse

technique with a precision of about 0.1 percent and accuracies of approximately 0.2 percent

[48]. A more convenient, though less accurate, method of estimating L from backscatter

scans is by assuming a representative value of N for use in eq (17). We will now examine a possible way of accomplishing this.

The value of N can be calculated from the equation

dn i N = m - A (4-11)

dx

if the wavelength dependence of the index of refraction is known. The required dispersion

data for silica and a number of doped silica glasses used in optical fibers has been tabulated by Malitson [49], and Fleming [50,51]. The dispersion information may be expressed as

a three-term Sellmeier relationship of the form

30
aiX 2 az^ 2 a3^ 2

n . 2 = 1 + + + (4-12)

1 x2-b! 2

A

2-b 22

X

2 -b 3 2

where the coefficients a are related to the material oscillator strength, and b the corresponding oscillator wavelengths. We have calculated N and n^ as a function of wavelength for

three typical fiber materials using the data of Fleming and eqs (4-10) and (4-11); these

appear in figures 4-17, 4-18 and 4-19. For our purposes we will assume that the 13.5

Ge02:86.5 Si02 sample represents a fairly typical on-axis material for a high-bandwidth

telecommunicaions fiber.

Some experimental values of N at 824 nm have been reported by Franzen [48] for a number

of high-bandwidth graded-index fibers. These are reproduced in figure 4-20. It can be seen that they are consistent with the above approximation scheme.

We have been concerned above with fiber length measurements. The same considerations

also apply to fault location.

5. MEASUREMENTS WITH PERTURBED FIBERS

In this section we will consider the effect that various local perturbations have on the backscatter response of an otherwise uniform and reciprocal fiber. These perturbations

may be either extrinsic, for example bends, or intrinsic, for example an impurity region of

high loss in the fiber. We will refer to the characteristic backscatter features as "fault

signatures" which generate a change in the background Rayleigh response. It will be convenient to divide the signal returns into two categories which will be referred to as absorption-like and scatter-like fault signatures. The distinction is made clear from an examination of the computer-generated plots shown in figures 5-1 and 5-2. Scatter-like signatures

are defined as those which have an increase in backscatter signal larger than the associated

decrease (fig. 5-1). Likewise figure 5-2 illustrates an absorption-like signature, from

which defect loss may be inferred as shown. The most general form of fault signature is a combination of both (fig. 5-3). It should be noted that there is always some absorption

associated with scatter-like signatures, even though this can be rather small. Also the

decrease in backscatter power on a decibel scale is twice the actual fault loss.

5.1 Absorption-like Signatures

Absorption-like fault signatures are produced by perturbations which convert the radiation in the probe pulse into heat energy, or by perturbations which scatter the radiation

exclusively in the forward direction. Figure 5-4 shows the absorption-like fault signature

for a fusion splice which exists at the center of the fiber. The one-way loss is approximately 0.18 dB at the splice. The cause of the other irregularities which can be seen, has

not been identified. Fusion splices are known to weaken the fiber, and the backscatter

technique is the only practical means of detecting the presence of these flaws once the

fiber is cabled.

31
1.470

1.465

1 .460

Q 1 . 455 zM

1 .450

I .445

I .440

- ^\^^ N

SILICA ^^~^^^ n

-

-

i i i 0.9 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 WAVELENGTH CurrO

1.4 I .5 1.6

Figure 4-17. Index of refraction and group index for silica,

.490 1 1 r T '

/

1 T

1

1 .485 ^x. N

-

1 .480 -

X

Q .475 13.5 Ge02

: 86.5 Si 2

. H ^"^^-^ n

1 .470 -

1 .465 ~^~^

1 .460 i i i

,

0.9 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 WAVELENGTH CunO1.4 1.5 1.6

Figure 4-18. Index of refraction and group index for 13.5 Ge0

2 :86.5 Si0

2 glass.

32
t .485

1 .480

r r —

i

i r T" 1

1 .475 -

X

Q 1 2M

.470

^^^-^^^ n

9. P

2 5

: 90.9 Si02

t .465 -

t .460 ^~^~--~--^_^^

1 .455 0.9 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 WAVELENGTH Cum}

1.4 1.5 1 .6

Figure 4-19. Index of refraction and group index for 9.1 P

2 5 :90.9 Si0

2 glass,

1.496

1.494-

1.492

1.490

1.488"

1.486-

1.484-

1.482-

1.480

1.478

• D

1 2

O O

4

1

.H T

Figure 4-20. Group index measurements for five commercial fibers. Measurements on three

fibers repeated to within 0.1 percent. From Franzen and Day [48].

33
11.0

2 5.0 _

2.1

-4.0

1 00 200 300 TIME Carbilrary unils)400 500

Figure 5-1. Example of a scatter-like fault signature. Gaussian probe pulse.

6.0 _

S 3.

-3.

-6.0

100 200 300 TIME Carbilrary units!)

I

\ 4

TWO PASS ABSORPTION LOSS

I 1

500

Figure 5-2. Example of an absorption-like fault signature. Gaussian probe pulse.

34
12.0

9.0 .

^ 6.0

uj 3.

UJ 0.

v -3

.

-6.0

200 300 TIME Carbitrary units)

Figure 5-3. Example of a composite fault signature consisting of both scattering and

absorption loss. Gaussian probe pulse.

Figure 5-4. Backscatter signature for a graded-index fiber with a fusion splice at the

midpoint. The three other irregularities are unidentified. Fiber J.

35
Microbending signatures are also absorption-like. The capture fraction associated with

radiation loss due to microbending was estimated in the following experiment. We wound a

1 km graded-index fiber loosely in several layers on a felt-covered, 20 cm diameter drum. Ten plastic rods, each 6 mm in diameter, were positioned transverse to the winding. Lateral

pressure was applied to the layers of fiber by pressing them against the rods using an adjustable strap concentric to the drum. The effect on the fiber is shown in figure 5-5. The

lower curve represents the backscatter response with tension applied to the strap. Increased loss (about 3.1 dB total) occurs at locations where the rods were in contact with the

fiber. The upper curve represents the response when the tension was removed. Some residual

stress effects can still be observed. It will be noted that, in the stressed state the

backscatter signal is a monotonically decreasing function of time. This implies that the

capture fraction associated with the removed radiation is very small. A more quantitative

estimate of the microbending capture fraction F

n may be obtained from a comparison of the

two backscatter scans at t=0. From eq (1-1), the backscatter power in the stressed state

differs from the corresponding power in the unstressed state only in the term a F . Then,

assuming the excess loss in figure 5-5 is a uniformly distributed radiation loss, a

n is about 7x10"^ m , about the same as a . However, the stressed t=0 signal does not increase

within an uncertainty of about one percent. This implies that F

n

< 0.01 a

s F$ /an

, or

F < 5x10 . This is the basis of the estimate given in table 2.

A third example of an absorption-like signature is given by the effect of radiation

from fiber bends. The magnitude of the capture fraction associated with macrobending of

this sort was inferred from the following experiment. A graded-index fiber, which was loosely cabled in a plastic tube, was wound on drums of different diameters. Figure 5-6

shows the resulting signature when the input half of the 570 m cable was wrapped on a drum

of 30 cm diameter and the remaining cable wrapped on a drum of 10 cm diameter. There is a small change in slope at the midpoint which implies an excess loss of about 0.9 dB/km. Most

of this loss can be attributed to radiation whih is emitted as a result of the decreased

bend radius. Figure 5-7 is a similar scan where the final 40 m of the cable is wound on the

smaller drum, and a change in slope is also apparent. To obtain an upper limit on the

macrobending capture fraction we modeled the backscattering process on a computer usinq the

known parameters for fiber H, and assuming a value of F

n which was judged to produce a barely perceptible change in the backscatter signature. If the observed increase in radiation

loss had one photon in 1700 returned in the backward direction, the signature would appear

as in figure 5-8. The backscatter response in this case exhibits a signal increase at the

location corresponding to the junction of the two drums. Since no such signal can be detected experimentally, we conclude that, for this fiber, F

n

< 0.0006. This result is also

given in table 2.

36
Figure 5-5. Backscatter signatures resulting from a microbending experiment (see text).

Lower curve exhibits effect of pressure-induced microbending. Upper curve

represents the response in the relaxed state. Fiber K.

Figure 5-6. Backscatter signature for a fiber wrapped on drums of differing diameter. The

input half of the fiber is wound on a drum of diameter 30 cm, the output half

of the fiber is wound on a drum of 10 cm diameter. Fiber H.

37
4 5 6 TIME Cus)

Figure 5-7. Backscatter signature under conditions similar to figure 5-6, except the final

7 percent of the fiber is on the smaller drum. Fiber H.

8.0

lj 3.0 .

100 200 300

TIME Carbi trary units)

400 500

Figure 5-8. Computer simulation of radiation loss with an excess F value of 0.0006, other

parameters similar to fiber H. Excess radiation loss begins at time 345.

38
5.2- Scatter-Like Signatures

We have seen previously, in fiqures 2-2 to 2-4, an example of a localized scatter-like

fault signature. The scan is also reproduced in figure 5-9 on an expanded scale. The magnitude of the feature depends somewhat on the launching spot size and its location on the

input face of the fiber. It is possible to observe a small decrease in the slope of the log

backscatter signal following the fault. This could possibly be explained by a redistribution of probe pulse energy into less-lossy modes. The most likely explanation for the origin of the fault is an elongated bubble or dielectric filament of the type described by

Rawson [52].

Figure 5-10 represents the scatter-like signature due to a commercial coupler which

joins two identical step-index fibers. The signal at the junction interface is off scale.

The one-way loss at the connector is about 1.4 dB. This represents a rather extreme example

of a scatter-like signature.

6. COMPUTER SIMULATIONS

One of the main motivations for the experimental determination of backscatter parameters is to obtain a realistic data base for purposes of computer modeling. The actual

backscatter display signatures can represent a rather complex interaction of many variables. For example, the Rayleigh as well as fault signatures will depend on absorption

loss, scattering loss, capture fractions, input pulse shape, input pulse duration, wavelength, SNR, type of backscatter display (direct, logarithmic, differential logarithmic),

fiber type (single mode, multimode) and the spatial distribution of any perturbations along

the length of the fiber. Computer generated displays which can independently vary these

parameters can greatly assist in interpreting and understanding experimental signatures.

Also, we may be led to a preferred display scheme for backscatter signatures.

Some of these computer-generated signatures have appeared in this report. A much more comprehensive atlas of backscatter signatures is in preparation for a future report in this

series.

7. CONCLUSIONS

We have described a laboratory OTDR in some detail, indicated its potentialities and

limitations, and suggested ways in which the SNR may be improved. We have also described

experimental techniques for estimating fiber Rayleigh scattering, capture fractions, and

group velocities. The OTDR system was used to examine the backscatter signatures of a number of fibers and fiber perturbations. Some of the main conclusions from the experimental work may be summarized as follows:

1. Fibers from some manufacturers exhibit much smaller irregularities in background backscatter than similar type fibers from other manufacturers. These signal variations are probably due to diameter fluctuations. It is much easier to observe a perturbation or fault signature on a uniform background. Therefore, in some applications, for example

39
0£

UJ

UJ

»-<

<

o

TIME

Figure 5-9. Fault signature for a bubble in a graded-index fiber. This is an expanded

scale of figure 2-4. Fiber H.

H

L

12 3 4 5 6 TIME Cus)

7 8 9 10

Figure 5-10. Signature for a commercial coupler. The scatter signal at 1.2 us is off

scale. Fiber E.

40
secure communications, it may be desirable for military agencies to specify tolerances

on the oscillatory swings in the Rayleigh backscatter signature.

2. Measured capture fractions were often smaller than predicted from simple theoretical

considerations. There was a large variability in the agreement of theory and experiment from fiber to fiber. The reason for this is not fully understood, but is believed

to be related to the oversimplified nature of the formulae used to predict F

s values.

3. The presence of a mode stripper does not alter the backscatter signal level appreciably

in the fibers we have tested. This experience may not apply to fibers manufactured

with low-loss cladding materials.

4. Many types of defects and anomalies can be observed with backscatter techniques. We have classified the observed backscatter features as absorption-like and scatter-like

signatures. Among the former are those due to good fusion splices, microbending, and

macrobending. Among the latter are those due to some couplers, dielectric filaments,

gross fractures, and breaks.

5. Upper limits have been placed on the capture fractions due to macrobending and microbending in sample fibers (table 2). The small values are due to the fact that the

radiation associated with these processes is largely scattered in the forward direction.

8. REFERENCES

1. Barnoski, M. K., and Jensen, S. M., Fiber waveguides: A novel technique for investigating attenuation characteristics, Appl . Opt. _15_, No. 9, pp. 2112-2115 (Sept. 1976).

2. Personik, S. D., Photon probe--an optical time domain reflectometer, Bell Syst. Tech.

J. _56, No. 3, pp. 355-366 (Mar. 1977).

3. Rourke, M. D., An overview of optical time domain reflectometry, (Conference on the

Physics of Fiber Optics, Chicaqo, IL, Apr. 28-30, 1980), to be published.

Neumann, E.-G., Analysis of the backscattering method for testing optical fiber cables,

AEU, Electron, and Commun. 34, No. 4, pp. 157-160 (1980).

Elion, G. R., and Elion, H. A., Fiber optics in communication systems, (Marcel Dekker,

Inc., New York, NY, 1978). Chapter 3 lists specifications for laser diodes from

several manufacturers.

Certain trade names are used in this report in order to specify the experimental conditions used in obtaining the reported data. Mention of these products in no way constitutes endorsement of them. Other manufacturers may have products of equal or superior

specifications.

Riad, S. M., Optical fiber dispersion characterization study, NASA Final Report, Con- tract No. NAS10-9455 (Dec. 1979).

8. Reference 5, Chapter 4 lists a number of commercially available APDs along with device

specifications and much useful information.

9. Kaminow, I. R., Polarization in fibers, Laser Focus, pp. 80-84 (June 1980).

10. Born, M., and Wolf, E., Principles of optics, Second edition, (McMillan Co., New York,

NY, 1964) pp. 39-40.

41
11. Straus, J., Few, I., and Conrad, J., Measurement of frequency dependence of Rayleigh

backscattering in bidirectional optical systems, Electron. Lett. _15_, pp. 306-307

(1979).

12. Costa, B., and Sordo, B., Experimental study of optical fiber attenuation by a modified

backscattering technique, (Digest of technical papers presented at the Third European

Conference on Optical Communication, Munich, Germany, Sept. 14-16, 1977) pp. 69-71.

13. Dakin, J. P., Gambling, W. A., Payne, D. N., and Sunak, H. R. D., Launching into glassfiber optical waveguides, Opt. Commun. _4, No. 5, pp. 354-357 (Jan. 1972).

14. Wilmad Glass Co., Buena, NJ 08310.

15. Reference 5, p. 172.

16. Smith, R. G., Optical power handling capacity of low loss optical fibers as determined

by stimulated Raman and Brillouin scattering, Appl . Opt. JA, No. 11, pp. 2489-2494

(Nov. 1972).

17. Crow, J. D., Power handlinq capacity of glass fiber lightguides, Appl. Opt. 13, No. 3,

pp. 467-468 (Mar. 1974).

18. Danielson, B. L., An assessment of the backscatter technique as a means for estimating

loss in optical waveguides, Nat. Bur. Stds. (U.S.), Tech. Note 1018, 76 p. (Feb. 1980).

19. DiVita, P., and Rossi, U., Backscattering measurements in optical fibers: Separation

of power decay from imperfection contribution, Electron. Lett. JL5_, No. 15, pp. 467-469

(July 15, 1979).

20. Bender, A., Salisbury, G., and Akers, F., Concentric-core optical fiber, Paper THC4,

Topical Meeting on Optical Fiber Communications, Technical Digest, Mar. 6-8, 1979,

Washington, DC.

21. DiVita, P., and Rossi, U., The backscattering technique: Its field of applicability in fibre diagnostics and attenuation measurements, Opt. and Quantum Electron. Jl, pp. 17-

, 22 (1980).

22. Olshansky, R., Propagation in glass optical waveguides, Rev. Mod. Phys., 51, No. 2,

341-367 (Apr. 1979).

23. Olshansky, R., and Oaks, S. M., Differential mode attenuation measurements in gradedindex fibers, Appl. Opt. J7, No. 11, pp. 1830-1835 (June 1978).

24. Tynes, A. R., Integrating cube scattering detector, Appl. Opt. _9, No. 12, pp. 2706-2710

(Dec. 1970).

25. Ostermayer, F. W., and Benson, W. W., Integrating sphere for measuring scattering loss

in optical fiber waveguides, Appl. Opt. JJ, No. 8, pp. 1900-1902 (Aug. 1974).

26. Inada, K., A new graphical method relating to optical fiber attenuation, Opt. Commun.

19, No. 3, pp. 437-439 (Dec. 1976).

27. Yoshida, K., Sentsui, S., Shii, H., and Kurona, T., Optical fiber drawing and its

influence on fiber loss, Paper D9-3, 1977 International Conference on Integrated Optics

and Optical Fiber Communication, July 18-20, 1977, Tokyo, Japan.

42
28. Blankenship, M. G., Keck, D. B., Levin, P. S., Love, W. F., Olshansky, P., Sarkar, A.,

Schultz, P. C, Sheth, K. D., and Siegfried, R. W., High phosphorus containing

PpOv-GeO^-SiG^ optical waveguide, Post-deadline paper PD3-1, Topical Meeting on Optical

Fiber Communications, Technical Digest, Mar. 6-8, 1979, Washington, DC.

29. Miller, S. E., and Chynoweth, A. G., eds., Optical Fiber Telecommunications, p. 357

(Academic Press, New York, NY, 1979).

30. Midwinter, J. E., Optical fibers for transmission, p. 159 (John Wiley & Sons, New York,

NY, 1979).

31. Lin, S., and Giallorenzi, T. G., Sensitivity analysis of the Sagnac-effect optical

fiber ring interferometer, Appl . Opt. _18_, No. 6, op. 915-931 (Mar. 1979).

32. Rourke, M. D., Maximum achievable crosstalk isolation in full-duplex single strand

fiber-optic systems, Opt. Comrnun. _25_, No. 1, pp. 40-42 (Apr. 1980).

33. Wells, W. H., Crosstalk in a bidirectional optical fiber, Fiber and Integrated Optics,

U No. 3, pp. 243-287 (1978).

34. Stone, J., Measurement of Rayleigh scattering in liquids using optical fibers, Appl.

Opt. _12, No. 8, pp. 1824-1827.

35. Dakin, J. P., and Gambling, W. A., Theory of scattering from the core of a multimode

fiber waveguide, Opt. Comrnun. JLO, No. 2, pp. 195-199 (Feb. 1974).

36. Neumann, E. G., Optical time domain ref lectometer : Comment, Appl. Opt. J7, No. 11,

p. 1675 (June 1978).

37. Gloge, D., Smith, P. W., Bisbee, D. L., and Chinnock, E. L., Optical fiber end preparation for low-loss splices, Bell Syst. Tech. J. _52, No. 9, pp. 1579-1588 (Nov. 1973).

38. Marcuse, D., Reflection losses from imperfectly broken fiber ends, Appl. Opt. 14,

No. 12, pp. 3016-3020 (Dec. 1975).

39. Chesler, R. B., and Dabby, F. W., Simple testing methods give users a feel for cable

parameters, Electronics, pp. 90-92 (Aug. 5, 1976).

40. Deane Carbide Products Inc., P.O. Box 118, Trevose, PA 19047.

41. Gordon, K. S., Rawson, E. G., and Nafarrate, A. B., Fiber-break testing by interferometry: A comparison of two breaking methods, Appl. Opt. 16 , No. 4, pp. 818-819

(Apr. 1977).

42. Saunders, M. J., Torsion effects on fractured fiber ends, Appl. Opt. _18, No. 10,

pp. 1480-1481 (May 1979).

43. Reitz, P. R., A quality check for fiber end faces, Optical Spectra, pp. 39-40 (Dec.

1979).

44. Hanson, A. G. , Bloom, L. R., Day, G. W., Gallawa, R. L., Grat, E. M., and Young, M.,

Optical waveguide communications glossary, NTIA Special Publication NTIA-SP-79-4 (Sept.

1979).

45. Franzen, D. L., private communication.

46. Kim, E. M., and Franzen, D. L., Measurement of far-field and near-field radiation pat- terns from optical fibers, Nat. Bur. Stds. (U.S.), Tech. Note 1032 (to be published).

47. Brinkmeyer, E., Backscattering in single-mode fibers, Electron. Lett. _16, No. 9,

pp. 329-330 (Apr. 24, 1980).

43
48. Franzen, D. L., and Day, G. W., Measurement of propagation constants related to material properties in high-bandwidth optical fibers, IEEE J. Quantum Electron. QE-15 , No. 12, pp. 1409-1414 (Dec. 1979).

49. Malitson, I. H., Interspecimen comparison of the refractive index of fused silica,

J.O.S.A. _55_, No. 10, pp. 1205-1209 (Oct. 1965).

50. Fleming, J. W., Material and mode dispersion in GeOo'BoOo-SiOo glasses, J. Am. Ceram.

Soc.,_59_, No. 11-12, pp. 503-507 (Nov. -Dec. 1976).

51. Fleming, J. W., Material dispersion in lightguide glasses, Electron Lett. 14, No. 11,

pp. 326-328 (May 25, 1978).

52. Rawson, E. G. , Measurement of the angular distribution of light scattered from a glass

fiber optical waveguide, Appl. Opt. JA, No. 11, pp. 2477-2481 (Nov. 1972).

9. ACKNOWLEDGMENT

This work was supported by the Communications Systems Center, U.S. Army Communications

Command, Fort Monmouth, New Jersey 07703.

44
4BS-1 14A (rev. o-78)

U.S. DEPT. OF COMM. $.$ov*t Ac$sss&» He: 3. R«cltiteRf a AccAssioriNo,

BIBLIOGRAPHIC DATA

SHEET

1. PUBLICATION OR REPORT NO.

NBS TN-1034

4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE

Backscatter Measurements on Optical Fibers

5. Publication Date February 1981

C Pe^fefirtag Organization Cods

7. AUTHOR(S) B .L . Danielson

8. Performing Organ. Report No.

155

9. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS

NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

WASHINGTON, DC 20234

S$.f^a$in^/i!toi* tta Ho»

11. Contract/Grant No.

ins

12. SPONSORING ORGANIZATION NAME AND COMPLETE ADDRESS (Street, City, State, ZIP)

Communications Systems Center

U.S. Army Communications Command

Fort Monmouth, New Jersey 07703

13. Type of Report & Period Covered

15. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES

V\ Document describes a computer program; SF-185, FIPS Software Summary, is attached.

16. ABSTRACT (A 200-wotd or less factual summary of most significant information. If document includes a significant bibliography or

literature survey, mention it here.)

An optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR) and its components are described in detail. The system performance for this device is examined.

Experimental methods are described for the measurement of several parameters

of interest in the characterization of optical fibers using the OTDR. These

parameters include scattering loss and capture fractions for unperturbed

fibers. Experimental capture-fraction values are reported for several step

and graded-index fibers and these results are compared with theoretical predictions. Rayleigh backscatter signatures are also presented for several

fibers from different manufacturers. Fault signatures are shown for some intrinsic and extrinsic fiber perturbations.

«• KEY WORDS (six to twelve entries; alphabetical order; capitalize only the first letter of the first key word unless a proper na separated by semicolons)

Backscattering; capture fractions: fiber scattering; optical time domain

reflectometry ; Rayleigh scattering.

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