Chromatic dispersion measurement in single-mode optical fibers by acousto-optic modulation and phase detection

A system to measure chromatic dispersion in single-mode optical fibers with near point wavelength resolution is described. Differential propagation constant data for the test fiber is collected by using an acousto-optic modulator to frequency-shift laser light passed to an optical heterodyne. Theoretical developments include a frequency-domain calculation technique for interpreting empirical results. The system is proven infeasible, however, due to inherent noise sensitivity