Browsing by Author "Wang, Zhi G."

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    Simultaneous measurement of strain and temperature using two-mode elliptical core optical fiber
    Wang, Zhi G. (Virginia Tech, 1992)
    A single piece of optical fiber can be utilized to sense both strain and temperature simultaneously. To develop such a sensor, we sandwich a section of two-mode elliptical core (e-core) fiber between two partially reflecting mirrors. This configuration can be considered as an intrinsic Fabry-Perot interferometer, in which the two-mode, e-core fiber serves as the resonant cavity. Two different types of phase modulation can be extracted under perturbations of strain and temperature on the fiber. These phase changes are due to the two-mode interference and intrinsic Fabry-Perot interference, respectively. The relationship between the phase information and the two physical measurands, i.e. strain and temperature, can be established using two coupled equations, in which the strain and temperature are considered as two unknowns. By solving these two coupled equations, we can simultaneously determine the strain and temperature. The waveguide theory and the Cross sensitivity analysis of this sensor are presented. The descriptions of four independent experiments that have been used to determine the coefficients of the two coupled equations are given. The resolutions of the strain and temperature measurements have been obtained to be 31 μm/m and 4.5 °C, respectively.
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    Wavelength compensation in fused fiber couplers
    Wang, Zhi G. (Virginia Tech, 1996)
    The performance of fused fiber couplers is wavelength dependent. Wavelength spectral compensation is a technique to decrease the effect of the wavelength dependence, which is an essential task for many applications in fiber optic communication systems. Fiber devices such as wavelength-flattened couplers (WFCs) can be fabricated using wavelength spectral compensation methods. In this dissertation, wavelength spectral compensation techniques in fused biconical taper (FBT) couplers including both multimode and single-mode fiber couplers are studied in detail. In multimode fiber coupler operation, a novel theoretical model based on frustrated total internal reflection (FTIR) has been developed to effectively describe the power coupling and loss mechanism. Experimental results support the theoretical predictions. In single-mode fiber couplers, the conventional technique of fabricating WFCs is discussed. An alternative analytical model has been developed based upon coupled mode theory, which provides a relatively simple and mathematically sound explanation to the wavelength spectral compensation. Aiming to simplify WFC fabrication, a new way of constructing WFCs is proposed and demonstrated by connecting regular single-mode fiber couplers, some of which serve as wavelength spectral compensators. WFCs of various structures including 2x2, 1x3, 1x2ᴺ, and 4x4 have been developed, and the experimental data agree with theoretical predictions of performance. Potential applications and future research directions in wavelength spectral compensation are also presented.