Optical-Fiber Power Meter Comparison Between NIST and PTB
I Vayshenker1, H Haars2, X Li1
1National Institute of Standards and Technology, Boulder, CO 80305 USA.
Summary
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST-USA) and Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB-Germany) compared optical power standards at 1300 nm and 1550 nm. Results showed excellent agreement, with differences within combined uncertainty, validating measurement consistency.
Area of Science:
- Optical metrology
- Radiometry
- Fiber optics
Background:
- Accurate optical power measurements are crucial for telecommunications and sensing.
- International intercomparisons ensure consistency of national measurement standards.
- Thermal detectors are primary standards for optical power realization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare optical power reference standards between NIST (USA) and PTB (Germany).
- To assess the agreement of national standards at key telecommunication wavelengths (1300 nm and 1550 nm).
- To validate the use of a novel optical trap detector as a transfer standard.
Main Methods:
- Utilized an optical-fiber cable for measurements at 1300 nm and 1550 nm.
- Employed thermal detectors as reference standards in both NIST and PTB.
- Used a novel temperature-controlled optical trap detector as a transfer standard for intercomparison.
Main Results:
- Measurement results from NIST and PTB showed differences below 1.5 × 10⁻³.
- The observed differences were within the combined standard uncertainties of both laboratories.
- This indicates high agreement and consistency between the two national metrology institutes.
Conclusions:
- The optical power measurement standards at NIST and PTB are in excellent agreement at 1300 nm and 1550 nm.
- The novel optical trap detector is suitable as a transfer standard for intercomparing optical power measurements.
- This intercomparison reinforces confidence in global optical power metrology for fiber optic applications.
