Optical low-coherence reflectometry using optical amplification

摘要

An improved low-coherence reflectometer is disclosed for use in measuring Rayleigh backscattering. The invention utilizes an optical amplifier to amplify the backscattered light thereby reducing the measurement times. The preferred optical amplifier is a diode-pumped superfluorescent fiber which acts both as the amplifier and the low-coherence light source. Reductions in signal averaging times of a factor of 100 are achieved by the use of the amplifier.