8/6/12

4. Characterisation of FBG and Circulator

4. Characterisation Of FBG And Circulator

FIBER BRAGG GRATING
Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) is an optical fiber with a periodic variation of core refractive index along the
fiber length (see Fig. 4.1). An FBG acts as a highly wavelength selective reflector, with a high reflectivity at
a given central wavelength and the reflectivity dropping to very small values close to the central wavelength
(see Fig. 4.2). The central wavelength, the peak value of reflectivity and the bandwidth of the reflection
spectrum depends on the period of the refractive index modulation, on the index modulation of the grating
and the length of the grating.

If L is the period of index modulation, L the length of the grating and Dn the index modulation, then the
central wavelength lc, peak reflectivity R and the bandwidthDl(the spectral width over which the
reflectivity is high) are given approximately by
(9)
(10)

file:///C:/Users/Adib/Desktop/Li Stuff/426/LAB Manuals/files/4.HTM

1/6

8/6/12

4. Characterisation of FBG and Circulator

(11)

Here ne is the effective index of the fundamental mode of the fiber.

As an example, let us consider an FGB with a period of 0.53 mm, an index modulation of 10-4 and a length
of 5 mm made in a single mode fiber having a mode effective index of 1.45. Using the above set of
equations we obtain the following characteristics of the grating: lc = 1537 nm, R= 59% and Dl = 0.36 nm.
By measuring lc, R and Dl of a grating, the values of L, L and Dn can be estimated from Eqs(9-11).
FBGs find wide applications in optical fiber communication systems. They are used in laser transmitters for
single frequency oscillation in optical add drop multiplexers, fiber lasers, and fiber optic sensors.
In the experiment described here, the primary measurement is the peak reflectivity of the grating. In order to
measure other quantities, additional equipments are required. For example for measuring the central
wavelength and the spectral bandwidth an optical spectrum analyzer or a tunable optical filter would be
required. Using these additional instruments it is also possible to show effects of strain and temperature on
the grating performance and thus demonstrate its application to sensing.

OPTICAL CIRCULATOR
An optical circulator is a multiport device with non reciprocal transmission characteristics. In Fig 4.3 we
show a three port optical circulator. When light enters port 1 of the circulator, it exits from port 2. If light
enters port 2 of the circulator, instead of its emerging from port 1 it now emerges from port 3 (showing
non-reciprocity). Such a device finds wide applications in many areas such as dispersion compensation
using FBGs, add/drop multiplexers etc. For example if an FBG with a central wavelength of l1 is placed at
port 2 and if light at wavelengths l1, l2, and l3, are incident on port 1of the circulator, then out of the three
wavelengths exiting from port 2, FBG reflects back wavelength l1. This wavelength propagates back
towards port 2 of the circulator and exits from port 3 while the wavelengths l2, and l3 continue to
propagate along port 2. Thus this acts as a drop filter for wavelength l1.
The most important characteristics of a circulator are insertion loss and cross talk. These are defined as
follows: If the power entering port 1 is P1 and if the output at port 2 is P2, and that at port 3 is P3 then the
insertion loss is defined as
(12)

and the cross talk is defined as

file:///C:/Users/Adib/Desktop/Li Stuff/426/LAB Manuals/files/4.HTM

2/6

8/6/12

4. Characterisation of FBG and Circulator

(13)

Apart from these characteristics other important characteristics of a circulator include its polarization
dependence in terms of polarization dependent loss (PDL) and polarization mode dispersion (PMD), the
wavelength of operation and the power handling capacity. With additional equipment these characteristics
can also be measured using the kit.

EXPERIMENT

AIM
a. To determine the reflectivity of the given Fiber Bragg Grating at four different wavelengths and verify its
wavelength selectivity.
b. To measure the insertion loss and cross talk of a 3-port circulator at various wavelengths.

COMPONENTS REQUIRED
1.
2.
3.
4.

FBG-1
Fiber Optic Circulator - 1
C-Band Lasers - 4
InGaAs Photodetector-1

FORMULA
Reflectivity of FBG = (P1-P2)/P1
P1 is the input power to an FBG and P2 is output power from the FBG.
Insertion Loss of Circulator = -10 log (P2/P1),

file:///C:/Users/Adib/Desktop/Li Stuff/426/LAB Manuals/files/4.HTM

3/6

8/6/12

4. Characterisation of FBG and Circulator

P1 is the input power and P2 is the output power at port 2

Cross talk in Circulator = 10 log (P3/P2)
P3 is the output power at the port 3 due to an input power at Port 1

PROCEDURE
After setting up LIGHT RUNNER as per the instructions given in page vi, the 1510nm laser is switched on
and its power is coupled to photodetector PD1 using a patchcord. The power level of 1510nm laser is
adjusted to be below saturation (refer to page ix) and measured as P1. The patchcord is then disconnected
for PD1 and connected to 3dB coupler as shown below. One of the other ends is connected to FBG and
the other to PD1. An ideal reflector with 100% reflectivity in lieu of FBG will amount to 1/4 of P1 at PD1.
The power at PD1 is is again measured as P2. Therefore the ratio of 4P2 to P1 will give the reflectivity of
FBG at the given wavelength. The experiment is repeated for all the other C-band wavelengths.

One of the C-band Lasers, say 1550nm is connected to an InGaAs photodetector, PD3 using a patchcord
and the laser power is measured as P1. The patchcord end is disconnected from the photodetector and it is
connected to Port 1 of the given Optical Circulator. Another patchcord is used to connect Port 2 of
Circulator to the same photodetector, PD3 and the power measured is P2 (see Fig 4.5). Patch cord at Port
2 is disconnected and then connected to Port 3 for determination of optical power, P3 coming there. The
given formulas are used to determine the insertion loss and cross talk in the circulator. It may be noted that
light travelling from Port 1 to Port 2 is termed as forward propagation. In a similar manner described above,
insertion loss and cross talk for backward propagation can also be determined by changing Port 1 to Port
2, Port 2 to Port 3.

file:///C:/Users/Adib/Desktop/Li Stuff/426/LAB Manuals/files/4.HTM

4/6

8/6/12

4. Characterisation of FBG and Circulator

OBSERVATION
Reflection Efficiency of FBG
Laser Wavelength (nm) Input Optical Power, P1 Reflected Optical power from FBG, P2 Reflectivity = (4P2/P1)*100%

1510
1530
1550
1570
Forward Insertion Loss (Channels 1 to 2) and Cross Talk (Channels 1 to 3) of Optical Circulator
Wavelength Input Power at Port 1 of
(nm)
Circulator, P1 (mW)

Output power at Port 2 of

circulator P2 (mW)

Optical Power at
Port 3, P3 (mW)

Insertion Loss in dB Cross Talk in dB =

= -10 log (P2/P1)
10 log (P3/P2)

1510
1530
1550
1570
Backward Insertion Loss (Channels 2 to 3) and Cross Talk (Channels 2 to 1) of Optical Circulaor
Wavelength Input Power at Port 2
of Circulator, P1 (mW)
(nm)

Output power at Port 3

of circulator P2 (mW)

Optical Power at Insertion Loss in dB Cross Talk in dB

Port 1, P3 (mW) = -10 log (P2/P1) = 10 log (P3/P2)

1510
1530
1550
1570

RESULTS
It is shown that the reflectivity of an FBG is a strong function of wavelength. The insertion loss of each port
of optical circulator and cross talk between ports for various wavelengths are determined.

FURTHER EXPLORATION
1. Find out if the reflectivity of the FBG depends on the direction of light launching to the FBG.
2. A combination of FBG and Circulator could be used to realize Add/Drop filter. This is described in
Experiment 12.
NOTE
The 50/50 coupler given along with LIGHT RUNNER can be used in the insertion loss of FBG/Circulator
experiment for simultaneously observing and measuring the input power and output power from the
FBG/Circulator. This can be done by connecting the COM port of the 50/50 coupler to the laser and
connecting one of the output arms to a photodetector and the other to the FBG/Circulator Port 1/Port 2.
Before doing this connection please find out the splitting ratio of the 50/50 coupler.
file:///C:/Users/Adib/Desktop/Li Stuff/426/LAB Manuals/files/4.HTM

5/6

8/6/12

4. Characterisation of FBG and Circulator

file:///C:/Users/Adib/Desktop/Li Stuff/426/LAB Manuals/files/4.HTM

6/6