OPTICAL WAVELENGTH MEASURING INSTRUMENT

Abstract: An object of this invention is to provide a compact and low-cost optical wavelength measuring instrument, in which mechanical movements are eliminated to improve reliability, measuring speed and measuring accuracy. The optical wavelength measuring instrument utilizes a group delay dispersion medium having wavelength dependence. Light to be measured is introduced to an optical modulator (1) for intensity modulation using a reference signal from a signal source (2). The modulated light is passed through the group delay dispersion medium (3) so as to provide a delay corresponding to the wavelength, and converted to an electric signal by a photoelectric convertor (4). A phase difference between the reference signal and this electric signal is determined by a phase comparator (5) so as to convert the wavelength of light to be measured. The wavelength of light to be measured can be converted by using another reference signal, such as reference light, to which the same optical intensity modulation and the same delay are applied, or delayed light to be measured.

Description: [Technical Field] This invention relates to a light wavelength measuring apparatus for use in an optical communication system, an apparatus for studying light, or the like. [Background Art] Most conventional light wavelength measuring apparatuses employ a Michelson interferometer. The basic constitution of a light wavelength measuring apparatus using the Michelson interferometer is shown in FIG. 1 In FIG. 1, the measured light I/P (wavelength: λin) is mixed with reference light R/P (wavelength: λref) whose wavelength is considerably shorter than that of the measured light I/P by a first half mirror 81, and the mixed light is distributed to two systems by a second half mirror 82 of the Michelson interferometer. The light of one of the systems is reflected by a fixed mirror 83 and then returned to the second half mirror 82. The light of the other system is incident upon a movable mirror 84. The movable mirror 84 periodically moves back and forth along the optical axis within a predetermined range. As a result, the light incident upon the movable mirror 83 is returned to the second half mirror 82 owing to the movement of the movable mirror. The reflected light of the fixed mirror 83 and that of the movable mirror 84 are mixed with each other by the second half mirror 82, and the mixed light enters a WDM (Wavelength-Division Multiplexing) device 85 and is divided for each wavelength. The light of wavelength λin and that of wavelength λref are converted into electrical signals by photoelectric converters (photodiodes) 86 and 87, respectively, and these signals are transmitted to counter circuits 88 and 89. The counter circuits 88 and 89 detect the respective peak timings of the input signals to count peak timing signals of the light components during one cycle of movement of the movable mirror 84. The values counted by the counter circuits 88 and 89 are supplied to a wavelength calculation unit 810. The wavelength calculation unit 810 calculates the number of peaks of wavelength interference patterns of the measured light and reference light on the basis of a ratio of the values of measured light components counted by the counter circuit 88 to those of reference light components counted by the counter circuit 89, thereby measuring the wavelength of the measured light based on the number of peaks. Since, however, the above-described light wavelength measuring apparatus using the Michelson interferometer has a mechanical movable section for moving the mirror, the maximum measurement speed is restricted to about 10 times per second, and the movable section greatly influences the reliability of the apparatus. The maximum measurement speed and the reliability are particularly difficult conditions for optical communication systems requiring MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures) of several years. Furthermore, since, in the foregoing light wavelength measuring apparatus, the wavelength of measured light is measured based on the number of peaks of wavelength interference patterns of the measured light and reference light, the wavelength of the reference light has to be stable and precise. This is also a very difficult condition, and the apparatus is forced to use a large-sized, expensive He-Ne (helium-neon) laser as a reference light source to achieve high wavelength stability. The apparatus is therefore increased in size and cost. As described above, since the conventional light wavelength measuring apparatus has the mechanical movable section, the maximum measurement speed is restricted to remarkably low values, and the reliability of the apparatus deteriorates. Since, furthermore, the stability of wavelength is required for the reference light source, a large-sized, expensive laser has to be used, thereby increasing the size and cost of the whole apparatus. Prior art document EP-A-0 454 124, which is considered to represent the closest prior art, discloses an optical spectroscopy system, in which a pulse of radiation to be analysed is sent to a diffractive element representing high temporal chromatic dispersion, and information relevant to the radiation spectrum is obtained from pulse broadening in the time domain. In this system, the measured light and the reference light are entered in form of discrete pulses into the group delay dispersion medium. The pulses corresponding to each of the light beams are detected and the dispersion delay times of the pulses are measured by an oscilloscope. However, in order to perform this measurement, an expensive high speed oscilloscope is necessary, which results in an inevitably increase of measurement costs. Due to the necessity of an oscilloscope the system of this prior art can only be used for the test or measurement of small electronic devices, but cannot easily installed as a component of an optical apparatus. The document OPTICS COMMUNICATIONS, vol. 76, no. 5/6, 15 May 1990, pages 332-339: VOBIAN "ALL FIBER SPECTROMETER ..." discloses an all-fiber spectrometer designed for measurement of the emission wavelengths and the spectral linewidths of semiconductor lasers in the spectral region between 1100 and 1700 nm. The basis of measurement is the determination of the group delay of optical pulses emitted by the laser. The measurement is also performed by a high speed oscilloscope and finally a wavelength resolution of 1 nm is obtained. The present invention has been developed in order to resolve the aforementioned problems, and its object is to provide a small-sized, inexpensive wavelength measuring apparatus which has no mechanical movable sections but is capable of high-speed measurement and high measurement precision to improve in reliability. [Disclosure of Invention] A light wavelength measuring apparatus according to the present invention is defined by the features of independent claims 1, 2, 5 and 7. In contrast to the closest prior art apparatus already described above, the claimed light wavelength measuring apparatus uses, instead of time analysis, phase comparison of the delayed signals as basis of measurement. Phase comparison can be realized by a relatively small and cheap phase comparator which receives photoelectrically converted reference and measurement signals. Thus, expensive and voluminous devices such as high speed oscilloscopes can be omitted. [Brief Description of Drawings] Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a constitution of a conventional light wavelength measuring apparatus; FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a basic constitution of a light wavelength measuring apparatus; FIG. 3 is a graph showing wavelength versus phase detecting output characteristics of the apparatus of FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a constitution of a light wavelength measuring apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention, which employs reference light; FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a constitution of a light wavelength measuring apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention, which does not multiplex reference light; FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a constitution of a light wavelength measuring apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present invention, which uses two group delay dispersion mediums of different wavelength dependencies; FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a constitution of a light wavelength measuring apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present invention, which uses a plurality of modulation frequencies; FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a constitution of a light wavelength measuring apparatus according to yet another embodiment of the present invention, which employs a PLL circuit; and FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a constitution of a light wavelength measuring apparatus according to yet another embodiment of the present invention, which employs group delay dispersion mediums having different lengths. [Best Mode of Carrying Out the Invention] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail, with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 2 shows a basic constitution of a light wavelength measuring apparatus which is not claimed by the present invention, but serves for an explanation of the underlying principle. In FIG. 2, the incident light to be measured is sent to a light modulator 1. The light modulator 1 modulates the intensity of the incident light in response to a reference signal from a signal source 2, and the light whose intensity is modulated (hereinafter referred to as modulation light) enters a group delay dispersion medium 3. For example, a single mode fiber of several kilometers having delay dispersion characteristics of a high dispersion medium is used for the group delay dispersion medium 3. The modulation light delayed by the group delay dispersion medium 3 is converted into an electrical signal by a photoelectric converter 4 such as a photodiode. The electrical signal is then supplied to a phase comparator 5 and its phase is detected in response to the reference signal from the signal source 2. An operation of the light wavelength measuring apparatus having the above constitution will now be described. First the intensity of measured light is modulated by the light modulator 1 in response to a reference signal. The light is then supplied to the photoelectric converter 4 through the group delay dispersion medium 3 and converted into an electrical signal therein. The electrical signal corresponds to variations in intensity of incident light, and its phase is detected by the phase comparator 5 in response to the reference signal. Group delay dispersion D (pF/nm) can be expressed as D = -Δt/Δλ, where Δλ indicates variations in minute wavelength and Δt denotes differences in group delay. If, therefore, the group delay dispersion medium 3 has the group delay dispersion characteristics of D[ps/nm], and the wavelength of the measured light varies by Δλ, variations in phase of outgoing light of the medium 3, Δ phase is expressed as follows: Δ phase = fm · Δλ · D × 360/1000 [deg/nm] where fm [GHz] is the frequency of the reference signal. As is apparent from equation (1), the phase detection output of the phase comparator 5 is proportionate to the variations in the wavelength of the measured light. The wavelength versus phase detection output characteristics are shown in the graph of FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3, the phase detection output characteristics linearly changes relative to the wavelength, and there are wavelengths λ0 at which the phase detection output becomes zero. It is thus necessary to store the phase detection output characteristics in advance in the measuring apparatus in order to measure the wavelength of the light. Since the phase-can be measured only in the range of 360°, the wavelength measurement range (Range) is given by the following equation: Range = 1000/(fm · D)[nm] Let us consider a case where a single mode fiber having dispersion of 20 [ps/n · km] at the wavelength of 1550 [nm] is used as the wavelength dispersion medium 3, and the frequency fm of the reference signal is 1 [GHz]. First the wavelength λ0 corresponding to the phase detection output of zero is obtained. To obtain this wavelength, the light from the light source is caused to be incident upon the measuring apparatus, and the wavelength is changed at the light source so that the phase detection output of the measuring apparatus becomes zero. This relationship between them is stored in the measuring apparatus as wavelength versus phase detection output characteristics. Since, in the above case, the total dispersion D of the group dispersion medium 3 amounts to 200 [ps/nm], when the wavelength of the measured light is changed by 1 [nm], the phase variation Δ phase of the outgoing light is given as follows: Δ phase = 1[GHz] × 200[ps/nm] × 360/1000[deg] = 72[deg] Therefore, the wavelength variation Δλ per phase variation [deg] is 1/72 [nm] = 0.014 [nm]. The wavelength of measured light can be calculated by adding a precalculated value λ0 of the wavelength to a value of wavelength variation Δλ into which a phase detection output is converted. Since, in this case, the apparatus has no mechanical movable section, it is able to measure the wavelength of light in real time, with high precision, and at high speed. Furthermore, since the apparatus does not require any reference light, it need not employ a large-sized and expensive laser, resulting in decrease in size and cost. In the above embodiment, since the range of the detected phase is 360°, the measured wavelength is restricted to 5 [nm]. This restriction can be relaxed by reducing the modulation frequency fm or decreasing the total dispersion D by shortening the group delay dispersion medium 3. The light wavelength measuring apparatus having the above constitution is required to compensate for a drift due to variations in temperature. In other words, even though temperature varies small and randomly, the length, refractive index, and amount of delay in transmission of a fiber or the like used for the dispersion medium 3, will vary widely. This problem is clearly fatal to this wavelength measuring system. The use of reference light can be considered as one method for resolving the above problem. FIG. 4 shows a constitution of a light wavelength measuring apparatus employing the reference light. Referring to FIG. 4, the incident light (wavelength: λin) to be measured is multiplexed in a WDM coupler 11 with reference light (wavelength: λref) emitted from a light source 12, and the intensity of the multiplexed light is modulated in a light modulator 13 in response to a reference signal supplied from a signal source 14. A common semiconductor laser can be employed as the light source 12. The modulation light emitted from the light modulator 13 undergoes group delay dispersion in a group delay dispersion medium 15, and is divided into lights of wavelengths λin and λref in a WDM coupler 16. These lights are converted into electrical signals in photoelectric converters 17 and 18, respectively, and the signals are then supplied to a phase comparator 19 and their phases are detected. In the light wavelength measuring apparatus having the above constitution, the measured light and reference light are detected through the same group dispersion medium 15. Thus both the detection signals are influenced by whatever characteristic variations occurring in the dispersion medium 15 owing to variations in temperature or the like. If, therefore, a difference in phase between the detection signals is detected by a phase comparator 19, the wavelength λin of the light can be measured with high precision. The influence due to variations in temperature directly influences the precision in wavelength of reference light. Unlike the conventional apparatus, an He-Ne laser having high wavelength stability need not be used as a light source and, if the wavelength λref of the reference light is set to the minimum dispersion wavelength of the dispersion medium 15 (1310 [nm] in a fiber used in an optical communication line), the influence of variations in wavelength can be suppressed to a negligible extent to allow the use of a common semiconductor laser. The object to be considered in the apparatus having the foregoing constitution is to secure sufficient isolation between the incident light and reference light when they are separated from each other. When the intensity of light is modulated by, for example, a sine wave, the isolation between them is required in the order of 30 [dB]. In order to secure the isolation over a broad optical bandwidth, an optical filter is needed. Using such a filter, isolation of wavelength of at least 100 [nm] is required between the incident light and reference light. Not multiplexing incident light and reference light can be considered as one method for attaining the above object. FIG. 5 shows a constitution of a light wavelength measuring apparatus which does not multiplex the lights with each other. In FIG. 5, the intensity of incident light (wavelength: λin) to be measured is modulated in a light modulator 21 in response to a reference signal supplied from a signal source 22, and transmitted to a photoelectric converter 24 via a group delay dispersion medium 23. The light is converted into an electrical signal by the photoelectric converter 24, and the electrical signal is then supplied to a phase comparator 25. The intensity of reference light from a light source 26 is also modulated in a light modulator 27 in response to a reference signal supplied from the signal source 22, and transmitted to a photoelectric converter 29 via a group delay dispersion medium 28. The light is converted into an electrical signal by the photoelectric converter 29, and the electrical signal is then supplied to the phase comparator 25. The group delay dispersion mediums 23 and 28 are arranged under the same circumstances as physically close as possible to each other to make their characteristic variations due to temperature variations almost equal to each other. According to this arrangement, the incident light and reference light are not multiplexed with or separated from each other, so that the wavelength of the incident light can be measured correctly from a phase difference between them obtained from the phase comparator 25, without taking into consideration any isolation. However, the apparatus shown in FIG. 5 necessitates separate light modulators for the measured light and reference light in addition to the light source for the reference light, resulting in complicating the constitution of the apparatus and increasing the size of the entire apparatus. As one method for eliminating the above drawback, a group delay dispersion medium free of wavelength dependence can be used. FIG. 6 shows a constitution of a light wavelength measuring apparatus having such group delay dispersion mediums. In FIG. 6, the intensity of incident light (wavelength: λin) to be measured, is modulated in a light modulator 31 in response to a reference signal supplied from a signal source 32, and the modulation light is distributed to first and second systems in a WDM coupler 33. The modulation light distributed to the first system is provided with a delay corresponding to the wavelength thereof by a group delay dispersion medium 34 having wavelength dependence, and converted into an electrical signal in a photoelectric converter 35. The electrical signal is then supplied to a phase comparator 36. The modulation light distributed to the second system is provided a fixed delay by a group delay dispersion medium 37 free of wavelength dependence, and converted into an electrical signal. The electrical signal is then supplied to the phase comparator 36. For example, a single mode fiber of several kilometers having delay dispersion characteristics of a high dispersion medium is used as the group delay dispersion medium 34 of the first system at a linear portion of the delay dispersion characteristics in the wave band of transmission light. Further, a fiber having the same size and the same structure as those of the fiber used for the medium 34, is used as the group delay dispersion medium 37 of the second system in the vicinity of a zero dispersion point of the delay dispersion characteristics in the wave band of transmission light. These mediums 34 and 37 are arranged close to each other under the same circumstances. In the light wavelength measuring apparatus having the above-described constitution, if a fixed delay is given to the measured light whose intensity is modulated through the group delay dispersion medium 37 of the second system having no wavelength dependence, the delayed light can be regarded as reference light. Since, in this case, both the mediums 34 and 36 have the same size and the same structure and are disposed under the same circumstances, their characteristics variations due to variations in temperature are the same. Therefore, the apparatus having the constitution shown in FIG. 6 is capable of generating the same dispersion output as the group delay dispersion output of the reference light of the second system shown in FIG. 5, without using a light source for the reference light or a modulator for modulating the reference light. Calculating a difference in phase between the modulation lights of both the systems by the phase comparator 36, the wavelength of the light can be measured correctly. In the embodiments described above, the measurement range is restricted, and the measurement resolution cannot be increased too much. As one method for eliminating this drawback, the modulation frequency can be multiplexed. FIG. 7 shows a constitution of a light wavelength measuring apparatus which multiplexes the modulation frequency. In FIG. 7, the same components as those of FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are omitted. In FIG. 7, signal sources 221 to 22n generate sine wave signals of different frequencies f1 to fn, where f1 < f2 < ... < fn. The frequency signals generated from the respective signal sources 221 to 22n are multiplexed. The multiplexed signals are transmitted to a light modulator 21 for measured light and a light modulator 27 for reference light, and the intensity of each incident light is modulated. The output signals of photoelectric converters 24 and 29 are distributed to n systems. These systems have respective phase comparators 251 to 25n to which the output frequency components of the signal sources 221 to 22n are supplied through their corresponding bandpass filters 2a11, 2a12, 2a21, 2a22, ..., 2an1, 2an2. In the light wavelength measuring apparatus having the above constitution shown in FIG. 7, the n -system reference signals having different frequencies are multiplexed, and the intensity of measured light is modulated. After group delay dispersion and photoelectric conversion, the modulation light is divided into signals of n systems, and their phases are detected for each frequency of reference signal. As is apparent from the equation (2), the frequency of the reference signal increases/decreases in proportion to the width of the wavelength measurement range. The phase of a reference signal of low frequency allows the wavelength measurement to be performed over a wide range poor resolution. If, however, the frequency of the reference signal is increased, higher resolution can be obtained but only over a narrow wavelength range, as is apparent from the equation (1). Consequently, a combination of both high and low reference signals can be used to simultaneously obtain high resolution and a wide wavelength measurement range. A PLL (Phase-Locked Loop) circuit can be employed, in place of the constitution shown in FIG. 6, as a method for compensating for variations in phase which are caused by variations in fiber length of a group delay dispersion medium due to variations in temperature. FIG. 8 shows a constitution of a light wavelength measuring apparatus having the PLL circuit. In FIG. 8, the same components as those of FIG. 5 are indicated by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are omitted. Referring to FIG. 8, a VCO (Voltage-Controlled Oscillator) is used for the signal source 22, and its oscillation outputs are supplied to light modulators 21 and 27 and a phase comparator 2b as reference signals. The phase comparator 2b receives a photoelectrically converted output of reference light as well as the output of the signal source 22, and transmits a difference in phase between them. The output of the phase comparator 2b is converted into an electrical signal by a low-pass filter 2c, and the signal is sent to the signal source (VCO) 22 as a frequency control signal. In the light wavelength measuring apparatus having the above constitution shown in FIG. 8, the oscillation frequency of the signal source 22 is so controlled that the phase variations are fixed on the reference light side. It is thus possible to compensate for phase variations caused by variations in fiber lengths of group delay dispersion mediums 23 and 28 due to variations in temperature. As a method for extending the wavelength measurement range, group delay dispersion mediums having different lengths can be used. FIG. 9 shows a constitution of a light wavelength measuring apparatus using such group delay dispersion mediums. In FIG. 9, the same components as those of FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are omitted. In FIG. 9, the measured light whose intensity is modulated by a light modulator 1, that is, the modulation light is distributed to a plurality of systems (two systems in FIG. 9) by a directional coupler 6. The modulation light of one of the systems (first system) goes through a relatively longer group delay dispersion medium 301 and converted into an electrical signal by a photoelectric converter 401. The electrical signal is then supplied to a phase comparator 501, together with a reference signal. The modulation of the other system (second system) goes through a relatively shorter group delay dispersion medium 302 and converted into an electrical signal by a photoelectric converter 402. This signal is supplied to a phase comparator 502, together with a reference signal. In the light wavelength measuring apparatus having the above constitution shown in FIG. 9, the modulation lights go through the group delay dispersion mediums 301 and 302 of different lengths, and phase variations are obtained from the phase comparators 501 and 502 based on the reference signals. If the lengths of the group delay dispersion mediums vary, the phase variations are increased or decreased in proportion to the phase variations, as is apparent from the equation (1). Using the longer medium 301, the wavelength of light can be measured with high resolution. As is evident from the equation (2), however, if the medium is lengthened, the wavelength measurement range is narrowed in inverse proportion to the length of the medium. Consequently, a system of phase detection output has only to be selected so as to satisfactorily keep a balance between the wavelength measurement range and resolution. This invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the subject matter of the present invention as claimed. [Industrial Applicability] As described above, the light wavelength measuring apparatus according to the present invention, which has no mechanical movable components, increases in measurement speed and measurement precision to improve in reliability, and is useful as a small-sized, inexpensive apparatus.

Claims: A light wavelength measuring apparatus comprising: a light source (12) for emitting reference light of a specific wavelength; a signal source (14) for generating a reference signal of a fixed frequency; light multiplexing means (11) for multiplexing the wavelength of the reference light emitted from said light source and the wavelength of measured light; a light modulator (13) for modulating the intensity of the light is multiplexed by said light multiplexing means (11), in response to the reference signal generated from said signal source (14); a group delay dispersion medium (15) for providing the light whose intensity is modulated by said light modulator (13) with a delay corresponding to the wavelength of the light; light dividing means (16) for dividing output light of said group delay dispersion medium into lights of different wavelengths; photoelectric converters (17,18) for converting the lights obtained from said light dividing means into electrical signals; and a phase comparator (19) for obtaining a phase difference between the electrical signals generated from said photoelectric converters (17,18), whereby a wavelength of the measured light is measured based on the phase difference obtained from said phase comparator (19). A light wavelength measuring apparatus comprising: a signal source means (22) for generating a reference signal; a first light modulator (21) for modulating the intensity of measured light in response to the reference signal generated from said signal source means (22); a first group delay dispersion medium (23) for providing output light of said first light modulator (21) with a delay corresponding to a wavelength of the output light; a first photoelectric converter (24) for converting output light of said group delay dispersion medium (23) into an electrical signal; a light source (26) for emitting reference light of a specific wavelength; a second light modulator (27) for modulating an intensity of the reference light emitted from said light source (26) in response to the reference signal generated from said signal source means (22) ; a second group delay dispersion medium (28), which is equal in size and structure to said first group delay dispersion medium (23) and which is located near said first group delay dispersion medium (23) under same environmental conditions, for providing output light of said second light modulator (27) with a delay corresponding to a wavelength of the output light; a second photoelectric converter (29) for converting output light of said second group delay dispersion medium (28) into an electrical signal; and a phase comparator means (25) for obtaining a phase difference between the output signal of said first photoelectric converter (24) and the output signal of said second photoelectric converter (29), whereby a wavelength of the measured light is measured based on the phase difference obtained from said phase comparator (25). The light wavelength measuring apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said light source (12,26) is a semiconductor laser. The light wavelength measuring apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said signal source means (22) includes an oscillator for varying the reference signal in response to a control signal, a phase comparator (2b) for comparing a phase of an output of said signal source means (22) and a phase of an output of said second photoelectric converter (29), and signal converting means for converting an output of said phase comparator into a control signal and supplying the control signal to the oscillator (22). A light wavelength measuring appartus comprising: a signal source (32) for generating a reference signal of a fixed frequency; a light modulator (31) for modulating the intensity of measured light in response to the reference signal generated from said signal source (32); light distributing means (33) for distributing output light of said light modulator to first and second systems; a first group delay dispersion medium (34) for providing light of the first system with a delay corresponding to a wavelength of the light; a first photoelectric converter (35) for converting output light of said first group delay dispersion medium (34) into an electrical signal; a second group delay dispersion medium (37), which is equal in size and structure to said first group delay dispersion medium (34), which is disposed near said first group delay dispersion medium (34) under same circumstances, and whose group delay dispersion characteristics become zero in a wave band of transmission light, for providing light of the second system with a delay corresponding to a wavelength of the light; a second photoelectric converter (38) for converting output light of said second group delay dispersion medium (37) into an electrical signal; and a phase comparator (36) for obtaining a phase difference between the output signal of said first photoelectric converter (35) and the output signal of said second photoelectric converter (38), whereby a wavelength of the measured light is measured based on the phase difference obtained from said phase comparator (36). A light wavelength measuring apparatus according to claim 2, characterized by said signal source means consisting of a plurality of signal sources (221,222,...,22n) for generating signals of different fixed frequencies; multiplexing means for multiplexing respective signals output from said plurality of signal sources (221, 222, ..., 22n) and generating multiplexed signals as reference signal for said first and second light modulators (21,27); light distributing means for distributing output signals of said first and second photoelectric converters (24,29) to a plurality of systems; a plurality of bandpass filters (2a11,2a12,2a21, 2a22,...,2an1,2an2) for filtering out each of the frequency components having frequencies identical to those of said plurality of signal sources (221,222,...,22n) corresponding to distributed signals of said light distributing means; and said phase comparator means consisting of a plurality of phase comparators (251,252,...,25n) each for obtaining a phase difference between outputs of said bandpass filters for each of the systems, whereby a wavelength of the measured light is measured based on the phase differences obtained from said plurality of phase comparators. A light wavelength measuring apparatus comprising: a signal source (2) for generating a reference signal of a fixed frequency; a light modulator (1) for modulating an intensity of measured light in response to the reference signal generated from said signal source (2); light distributing means (6) for distributing output light of said light modulator (1) to a plurality of systems; a plurality of group delay dispersion mediums (301,302), which are arranged in the plurality of systems of said light distributing means (6), respectively, for providing incident lights with delays corresponding to different wavelengths of the incident lights; a plurality of photoelectric converters (401,402) for converting output lights of said plurality of group delay dispersion mediums (301,302) into electrical signals; and a plurality of phase comparators (501,502) each for obtaining a phase difference between each output signal of said plurality of photoelectric converters (401,402) and the reference signal output from said signal source (2), whereby a wavelength of the measured light is measured based on the phase differences obtained from said plurality of phase comparators (501,502).

Inventors: IBE HIROYUKI, SHARMA MINISH, IBE, HIROYUKI, SHARMA, MINISH, SHARMA, Minish, Creare Toshiba Nakadai A413
Applicants: TOSHIBA KK, KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
Application year: 1993
Main classification: G01J9
IPC codes: G01J3, G01J9