Precise method for angular alignment of birefringent fibers based on an interferometric technique with a broadband...

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Fiber Optics Communications

Background:

• Precise alignment of birefringent fibers is crucial for minimizing signal loss and crosstalk in optical systems.
• Existing alignment methods often struggle with accuracy and are sensitive to fiber crosstalk.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a new, highly accurate method for aligning the principal axes of two birefringent fibers.
• To demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method using a Michelson interferometer setup.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a Michelson interferometer with a broadband source to measure interference peak values.
• Correlated interference peak values with the rotation angle between the principal axes of birefringent fibers for alignment.
• Analyzed angular alignment accuracy and its dependence on mode coupling and fiber crosstalk.

Main Results:

• Achieved a minimum angular misalignment of +/-0.086 degrees.
• Demonstrated that alignment accuracy is primarily limited by mode coupling at the fiber connection.
• The method showed reduced dependence on fiber crosstalk, achieving -56 dB crosstalk at the connection.

Conclusions:

• The presented Michelson interferometer-based method offers precise angular alignment for birefringent fibers.
• The technique effectively minimizes crosstalk, with accuracy limited by intrinsic mode coupling rather than external crosstalk.
• This method provides a robust solution for high-performance fiber optic component assembly.