Coherent optical frequency domain reflectometry (OFDR) using a fiber grating external cavity laser

An optical frequency domain reflectometry (OFDR) system containing a narrow linewidth fiber grating external cavity laser is demonstrated to have 62-dB of sensitivity when detecting Fresnel backreflection and 2 m of resolution at a 115 m range in optical fiber. With this system we were able to detect Rayleigh backscattering in optical fiber with 20-dB signal-to-noise ratio. The phase noise limitation on the distance range for the OFDR was investigated, and the measured signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) data followed the theoretical simulation over the ranges measured. This technique has potential to be applied to the OFDR at 1550 mm with very high dynamic range by using an erbium doped fiber laser.>