Optical Fiber Polishing Measurement via OCT Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing method for measuring the polishing amount of optical fiber components requires time-consuming alignment of the ferrule tip with the optical fiber tip, leading to inefficiencies and inaccuracies due to temperature-induced changes in metal components used in the reference optical path.
Innovation Solution
The method employs Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) to measure the length of the optical fiber component by branching inspection light between a reference optical path with a variable length and a comparison optical path, determining the polishing amount by the difference in mirror positions when return lights from the reference and comparison paths interfere, eliminating the need for tip alignment and reducing measurement errors caused by temperature changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the tip portion of the ferrule and the tip portion of the optical fiber component are aligned to measure polishing amount, then measurement accuracy is improved, but operation time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a reflection plate as an intermediary object with a known reflection surface position. Instead of directly aligning the ferrule tip with the optical fiber component tip, the system uses the reflection plate's known position as a reference intermediary. The OCT measures the distance to this intermediary reflection surface, which corresponds to the optical fiber component tip position, thereby eliminating the need for manual tip-to-tip alignment while maintaining measurement accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If the tip portion of the ferrule and the tip portion of the optical fiber component are aligned to measure polishing amount, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The reflection plate serves as a fixed intermediary reference that eliminates the need for operators to perform difficult tip-to-tip alignment. The known position of the reflection plate's reflection surface provides a stable reference point that the OCT system can automatically measure, significantly improving ease of operation while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical alignment system (manual positioning of ferrule and fiber tips) with an optical measurement system (OCT). Instead of relying on mechanical precision and operator skill to align components, the system uses optical coherence tomography to non-contactively measure the position of the optical fiber component tip relative to the reflection plate, thereby substituting mechanical alignment with optical measurement.
3Stability of the object's composition
If metal components are used in the reference optical path, then structural stability is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to temperature-induced changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the measurement target from the temperature-sensitive reference optical path. Instead of measuring the position of a mirror or component within the reference optical path that would be affected by thermal expansion of metal structures, the system measures the optical fiber component tip position directly via OCT. The reference optical path serves only to provide coherent light, while the actual measurement is performed in the inspection optical path, separating the stable reference function from the temperature-sensitive measurement function.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables direct, accurate, and efficient real-time measurement of the polishing amount, increasing operation efficiency and reducing measurement variability to within ±0.5 μm, without requiring alignment of the ferrule and optical fiber tips.
Implementation Method 1
The present invention relates to a method and a device capable of measuring a polishing amount of an optical fiber component, such as a component obtained by welding a lens fiber, an end cap, or the like, to an optical fiber tip, while conducting polishing, and more particularly to a method and a device using OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography).
Implementation Method 2
determining a polishing amount of the optical fiber component by a change amount of a difference Lc between a reference optical path length when return light of the reference optical path interferes with return light of the optical fiber component being measured and a reference optical path length when the return light of the reference optical path interferes with return light of the comparison optical path
Data Source
AI summary
The polishing amount of an optical fiber component can be measured directly, accurately and easily in a real-time mode during polishing, regardless of the polishing amount of a ferrule. Provided is a method for measuring the polishing amount of an optical fiber component while performing polishing, the method including: branching an inspection light among a reference optical path having a variable optical path length, an optical fiber component being measured, and a comparison optical path, and determining a polishing amount of the optical fiber component by a change amount of a difference Lc between a reference optical path length when return light of the reference optical path interferes with return light of the optical fiber component being measured and a reference optical path length when the return light of the reference optical path interferes with return light of the comparison optical path.