Sensing within the OTDR dead-zone using a two-mode fiber

An optical time-domain reflectometer (OTDR) is incapable of providing sensing or diagnostic information within dead-zones. We use a two-mode fiber (TMF) and a photonic lantern to completely overcome the main OTDR's dead-zone originating from the front facet of optical fiber. This is achieved by injecting the optical pulses of the OTDR in the form of the fundamental ${{\rm LP}_{{01}}}$ mode and meanwhile collecting the Rayleigh signals associated with the higher-order modes. Using the reported TMF-based OTDR, we accurately sense the position and frequency of a vibration event located within the dead-zone as a proof-of-concept demonstration.