Optical Fiber Probe Stabilizing Polarization for Field Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electromagnetic field probes using laser light and optical fibers face sensitivity issues due to polarization state variations caused by stress-induced curvature or waggling of the fiber, leading to unstable signal detection.
Innovation Solution
A probe design that includes a polarization control unit, an electro-optic or magneto-optic sensor unit fixed to a substrate, and an analyzer unit, with the optical fiber secured within a tube and polarization adjustment components housed to prevent stress-induced polarization changes, ensuring stable signal detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an optical fiber is used to transmit laser light to the electro-optic or magneto-optic material, then the probe achieves flexibility and ease of operation, but stress applied to the fiber causes curvature or waggling that varies the polarization state of the light, leading to significant variation in signal level and reduced measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a polarization-maintaining optical fiber as an intermediary component between the laser light source and the electro-optic/magneto-optic material. This special fiber is designed to preserve the polarization state of transmitted light even when subjected to external stress, curvature, or waggling. The fiber acts as a mediator that protects the polarization state from degradation, thereby maintaining stable signal levels and measurement precision while preserving the flexibility and ease of operation provided by the optical fiber configuration.
2Ease of operation
If the optical fiber is left unprotected and flexible, then the probe maintains operational flexibility and ease of installation, but the fiber becomes susceptible to stress-induced polarization changes that degrade measurement reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a polarization-maintaining optical fiber as a protective intermediary that preserves polarization state stability while allowing the fiber to remain flexible and easy to install. This specialized fiber component mediates between the conflicting requirements of flexibility and polarization stability, enabling the probe to be easily installed and positioned while maintaining reliable and stable polarization characteristics during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the optical fiber by using a polarization-maintaining fiber with specific structural characteristics (such as stress-appplied regions or asymmetric core design) that inherently preserve polarization state. This parameter change in the fiber's physical structure enables it to resist stress-induced polarization changes while maintaining flexibility, thus improving reliability without sacrificing ease of operation.
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 configuration stabilizes the polarization of laser light through the optical fiber, enabling high-accuracy measurement of electric and magnetic fields by suppressing the effects of stress and external disturbances.
Implementation Method 1
a probe using a laser light and optical material has been developed for these purposes... The electric/magnetic field is measured based on a basic principle that a laser light enters into the material and the refractive index of the material is changed correspondingly to the intensity of the electric/magnetic field
Implementation Method 2
a probe using a laser light and optical material has been developed for these purposes... The electric/magnetic field is measured based on a basic principle that a laser light enters into the material and the refractive index of the material is changed correspondingly to the intensity of the electric/magnetic field
Implementation Method 3
a polarization control unit configured to influence a polarization state of an entered laser light... Because a polarization change of a laser light propagating through an optical fiber is suppressed, stabilized signal detection can be achieved
Data Source
AI summary
In an electric/magnetic field probe using an optical fiber, when a stress is applied to the fiber, the polarization state of the light propagating in the fiber changes, and the signal level of the electric or magnetic field detection becomes unstable. For coping with this problem, for suppressing the curve or waggle of the optical fiber caused by a stress applied to the fiber, an electric/magnetic field sensor unit composed of the fiber and EO/MO material is fixed on a quartz substrate, for example, and the part of the fiber other than the sensor unit is stored in an acrylic tube and fixed. Further, polarization adjustment parts like a polarization controller, an optical analyzer or the like is installed in the housing, so that a stress caused by wind pressure or contact is not applied to the fiber connected to the parts.