Fiber-Optics Obstacle Course - Revision history

Admin: /* Activities */

2026-11-03T21:26:00Z

Activities

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:26, 3 November 2026
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	=== Activities ===		=== Activities ===
	# Read ''Fundamentals of Photonics'' Chpt 9 by Saleh & Teich ~~(on APL bookshelf)~~.		# Read ''Fundamentals of Photonics'' Chpt 8 by Saleh & Teich - 1991 Edition.
	#Look over the APL's Fiber Optics Wiki page [[Fiber Optics]] and links therein. [https://www.newport.com/t/fiber-optic-basics This info from Newport may be useful as well ].		#Look over the APL's Fiber Optics Wiki page [[Fiber Optics]] and links therein. [https://www.newport.com/t/fiber-optic-basics This info from Newport may be useful as well ].
	#Consulting Thorlab's Fiber Polishing Manual [[Media:FN96A-Manual.pdf\| Fiber Polishing and Connectorization]] construct a 1 meter SM FC-APC to FC-APC (or FC-PC to FC-PC) fiber patch cable (you will find everything you need at the fiber polishing station).<br> [[Fiber Epoxy Mixing Instructions]]<br>[[Media:Thorlabs_Polishing_Film.jpg\| Fiber Polishing Film Grades - color code/grit size]]		#Consulting Thorlab's Fiber Polishing Manual [[Media:FN96A-Manual.pdf\| Fiber Polishing and Connectorization]] construct a 1 meter SM FC-APC to FC-APC (or FC-PC to FC-PC) fiber patch cable (you will find everything you need at the fiber polishing station).<br> [[Fiber Epoxy Mixing Instructions]]<br>[[Media:Thorlabs_Polishing_Film.jpg\| Fiber Polishing Film Grades - color code/grit size]]

Admin at 20:11, 3 November 2026

2026-11-03T20:11:21Z

Admin at 20:11, 2 November 2026

2026-11-02T20:11:06Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:11, 2 November 2026
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	#Consulting Thorlab's Fiber Polishing Manual [[Media:FN96A-Manual.pdf\| Fiber Polishing and Connectorization]] and the (above mentioned) eBook construct a 1 meter SM FC-APC to FC-APC (or FC-PC to FC-PC) fiber patch cable (you will find everything you need at the fiber polishing station).<br> [[Fiber Epoxy Mixing Instructions]]<br>[[Media:Thorlabs_Polishing_Film.jpg\| Fiber Polishing Film Grades - color code/grit size]]		#Consulting Thorlab's Fiber Polishing Manual [[Media:FN96A-Manual.pdf\| Fiber Polishing and Connectorization]] and the (above mentioned) eBook construct a 1 meter SM FC-APC to FC-APC (or FC-PC to FC-PC) fiber patch cable (you will find everything you need at the fiber polishing station).<br> [[Fiber Epoxy Mixing Instructions]]<br>[[Media:Thorlabs_Polishing_Film.jpg\| Fiber Polishing Film Grades - color code/grit size]]
	## Measure power loss through your patch cable.<br>[[File:Fs-fiber_coupler.jpg\| thumb\| fiber coupler\|right\|200px]]		## Measure power loss through your patch cable.<br>[[File:Fs-fiber_coupler.jpg\| thumb\| fiber coupler\|right\|200px]]
	~~## Read ''Optical Fiber Fusion Splicing'' Chpts 1 & 2 by Yablon (on APL bookshelf).<br>~~
	## Break your patch cable in the middle and repair it with a fusion splice (see fusion splicer manual [[Media:X77_Fusion_Splicer.pdf\| Fusion Splicer Manual]] and eBook.<br>		## Break your patch cable in the middle and repair it with a fusion splice (see fusion splicer manual [[Media:X77_Fusion_Splicer.pdf\| Fusion Splicer Manual]] and eBook.<br>
	## Measure the power loss through your fusion spliced patch cable.<br>		## Measure the power loss through your fusion spliced patch cable.<br>

Admin at 19:57, 2 November 2026

2026-11-02T19:57:32Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:57, 2 November 2026
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	=== Activities ===		=== Activities ===
	~~#Read the first 4 chapters of John Crisp's eBook, ''Introduction to Fiber Optics''. Consult remaining chapters as needed.~~
	# Read ''Fundamentals of Photonics'' Chpt 9 by Saleh & Teich (on APL bookshelf).		# Read ''Fundamentals of Photonics'' Chpt 9 by Saleh & Teich (on APL bookshelf).
	#Look over the APL's Fiber Optics Wiki page [[Fiber Optics]] and links therein. [https://www.newport.com/t/fiber-optic-basics This info from Newport may be useful as well ].		#Look over the APL's Fiber Optics Wiki page [[Fiber Optics]] and links therein. [https://www.newport.com/t/fiber-optic-basics This info from Newport may be useful as well ].

Bsboggs: /* Activities */

2018-05-10T01:54:53Z

Activities

Bsboggs: /* Activities */

2018-05-09T20:08:42Z

Activities

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:08, 9 May 2018
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	## Measure its optical power vs. pump current/power curve.		## Measure its optical power vs. pump current/power curve.
	## Measure its optical spectrum both just below and well above threshold. Is there a difference? Can you explain?		## Measure its optical spectrum both just below and well above threshold. Is there a difference? Can you explain?
	~~- Submit a write-up outlining your activities, results and the answers to any questions asked above.~~



	* '''CLEAN UP THE OBSTACLE COURSE SETUP AFTER USE'''		* '''CLEAN UP THE OBSTACLE COURSE SETUP AFTER USE'''

Bsboggs: /* Activities */

2018-05-09T20:06:37Z

Activities

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:06, 9 May 2018
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	## Break your patch cable in the middle and repair it with a fusion splice (see fusion splicer manual [[Media:X77_Fusion_Splicer.pdf\| Fusion Splicer Manual]] and eBook.<br>		## Break your patch cable in the middle and repair it with a fusion splice (see fusion splicer manual [[Media:X77_Fusion_Splicer.pdf\| Fusion Splicer Manual]] and eBook.<br>
	## Measure the power loss through your fusion spliced patch cable.<br>		## Measure the power loss through your fusion spliced patch cable.<br>
	## ~~Optional:~~ Break the fusion splice out of the patch cord leaving two partly-connectorized fibers. Strip and cleave the unconnectorized end of one of the fibers and use the free-space-to-fiber coupler to couple a free space beam into the SM fiber (our coupler is not quite as that shown at the right).<br>		## Break the fusion splice out of the patch cord leaving two partly-connectorized fibers. Strip and cleave the unconnectorized end of one of the fibers and use the free-space-to-fiber coupler (with a 10x objective) to couple a free space HeNe beam into the fiber (our coupler is not quite as that shown at the right). Observe the transverse modes of the (at HeNe wavelength) MM fiber. See if, by bending the fiber, you can observe a few different transverse modes.<br>
			## Calculate the V number of the light/fiber system. [https://www.rp-photonics.com/v_number.html Read about the V number here].
			## How many transverse modes should you expect the fiber/HeNe system to have?
	# Use a fiber-to-free-space coupler, free-space polarizer, an in-fiber polarization controller and an IR power meter to measure the polarization extinction ratio ([[Media:In-Line_Fiber_Polarizer_Lab.pdf\|see this explanation for how the polarization controller works]]).		# Use a fiber-to-free-space coupler, free-space polarizer, an in-fiber polarization controller and an IR power meter to measure the polarization extinction ratio ([[Media:In-Line_Fiber_Polarizer_Lab.pdf\|see this explanation for how the polarization controller works]]).
	## Try to create linear polarization with ~ 20dB extinction ratio.		## Try to create linear polarization with ~ 20dB extinction ratio.
	## Try to create circular polarization.		## Try to create circular polarization.
	# ~~Use a source, MM fiber, the fiber mode scrambler, the free-space-to-fiber coupler (shown at right) and a video camera to observe the transverse modes~~ of ~~a MM fiber~~.~~<br>~~		# Read Agrawal's ''Applications of Nonlinear Fiber Optics'' Chapter 5 sections 5.1 and 5.2 (on APL bookshelf in lab). Although we will not be building a short-pulse fiber laser, you may find sections 5.3 and 5.4 interesting (pulsed fiber laser projects are available as advanced projects in the APL).
	~~# Calculate the V number of the light/fiber system~~. ~~[https://www~~.rp-~~photonics~~.~~com/v_number~~.~~html Read about~~ the ~~V number here]~~.		# Construct an Erbium-Doped CW SM Fiber Ring Laser.
	# Construct an Erbium-Doped SM Fiber Ring Laser. Measure its optical power vs. pump current/power curve.		## Measure its optical power vs. pump current/power curve.
			## Measure its optical spectrum both just below and well above threshold. Is there a difference? Can you explain?
	- Submit a write-up outlining your activities, results and the answers to any questions asked above.		- Submit a write-up outlining your activities, results and the answers to any questions asked above.

Bsboggs: /* Activities */

2018-04-18T17:53:58Z

Activities

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:53, 18 April 2018
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	## Try to create linear polarization with ~ 20dB extinction ratio.		## Try to create linear polarization with ~ 20dB extinction ratio.
	## Try to create circular polarization.		## Try to create circular polarization.
	# Use a source, MM fiber, the fiber mode scrambler, the free-space-to-fiber coupler and a video camera to observe the transverse modes of a MM fiber.<br>		# Use a source, MM fiber, the fiber mode scrambler, the free-space-to-fiber coupler (shown at right) and a video camera to observe the transverse modes of a MM fiber.<br>
	# Calculate the V number of the light/fiber system. [https://www.rp-photonics.com/v_number.html Read about the V number here].		# Calculate the V number of the light/fiber system. [https://www.rp-photonics.com/v_number.html Read about the V number here].
	# Construct an Erbium-Doped SM Fiber Ring Laser. Measure its optical power vs. pump current/power curve.		# Construct an Erbium-Doped SM Fiber Ring Laser. Measure its optical power vs. pump current/power curve.

Bsboggs: /* Activities */

2018-04-17T19:42:25Z

Activities

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:42, 17 April 2018
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	## Optional: Break the fusion splice out of the patch cord leaving two partly-connectorized fibers. Strip and cleave the unconnectorized end of one of the fibers and use the free-space-to-fiber coupler to couple a free space beam into the SM fiber (our coupler is not quite as that shown at the right).<br>		## Optional: Break the fusion splice out of the patch cord leaving two partly-connectorized fibers. Strip and cleave the unconnectorized end of one of the fibers and use the free-space-to-fiber coupler to couple a free space beam into the SM fiber (our coupler is not quite as that shown at the right).<br>
	# Use a fiber-to-free-space coupler, free-space polarizer, an in-fiber polarization controller and an IR power meter to measure the polarization extinction ratio ([[Media:In-Line_Fiber_Polarizer_Lab.pdf\|see this explanation for how the polarization controller works]]).		# Use a fiber-to-free-space coupler, free-space polarizer, an in-fiber polarization controller and an IR power meter to measure the polarization extinction ratio ([[Media:In-Line_Fiber_Polarizer_Lab.pdf\|see this explanation for how the polarization controller works]]).
	## Try to create linear polarization with ~~at least a 10dB~~ extinction ratio.		## Try to create linear polarization with ~ 20dB extinction ratio.
	## Try to create circular polarization.		## Try to create circular polarization.
	# Use a source, MM fiber, the fiber mode scrambler, the free-space-to-fiber coupler and a video camera to observe the transverse modes of a MM fiber.<br>		# Use a source, MM fiber, the fiber mode scrambler, the free-space-to-fiber coupler and a video camera to observe the transverse modes of a MM fiber.<br>

Bsboggs: /* Activities */

2018-04-17T19:18:16Z

Activities

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:18, 17 April 2018
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	## Measure the power loss through your fusion spliced patch cable.<br>		## Measure the power loss through your fusion spliced patch cable.<br>
	## Optional: Break the fusion splice out of the patch cord leaving two partly-connectorized fibers. Strip and cleave the unconnectorized end of one of the fibers and use the free-space-to-fiber coupler to couple a free space beam into the SM fiber (our coupler is not quite as that shown at the right).<br>		## Optional: Break the fusion splice out of the patch cord leaving two partly-connectorized fibers. Strip and cleave the unconnectorized end of one of the fibers and use the free-space-to-fiber coupler to couple a free space beam into the SM fiber (our coupler is not quite as that shown at the right).<br>
	# Use a fiber-to-free-space coupler, free-space polarizer, an in-fiber polarization controller and an IR power meter to measure the polarization extinction ratio ([[Media:In-Line_Fiber_Polarizer_Lab.pdf\|see this explanation for how the polarization controller works]]). Try to create linear polarization with at least a 10dB extinction ratio.		# Use a fiber-to-free-space coupler, free-space polarizer, an in-fiber polarization controller and an IR power meter to measure the polarization extinction ratio ([[Media:In-Line_Fiber_Polarizer_Lab.pdf\|see this explanation for how the polarization controller works]]).
			## Try to create linear polarization with at least a 10dB extinction ratio.
			## Try to create circular polarization.
	# Use a source, MM fiber, the fiber mode scrambler, the free-space-to-fiber coupler and a video camera to observe the transverse modes of a MM fiber.<br>		# Use a source, MM fiber, the fiber mode scrambler, the free-space-to-fiber coupler and a video camera to observe the transverse modes of a MM fiber.<br>
	# Calculate the V number of the light/fiber system. [https://www.rp-photonics.com/v_number.html Read about the V number here].		# Calculate the V number of the light/fiber system. [https://www.rp-photonics.com/v_number.html Read about the V number here].

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:11, 3 November 2026
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	# Read ''Fundamentals of Photonics'' Chpt 9 by Saleh & Teich (on APL bookshelf).		# Read ''Fundamentals of Photonics'' Chpt 9 by Saleh & Teich (on APL bookshelf).
	#Look over the APL's Fiber Optics Wiki page [[Fiber Optics]] and links therein. [https://www.newport.com/t/fiber-optic-basics This info from Newport may be useful as well ].		#Look over the APL's Fiber Optics Wiki page [[Fiber Optics]] and links therein. [https://www.newport.com/t/fiber-optic-basics This info from Newport may be useful as well ].
	#Consulting Thorlab's Fiber Polishing Manual [[Media:FN96A-Manual.pdf\| Fiber Polishing and Connectorization]] ~~and the (above mentioned) eBook~~ construct a 1 meter SM FC-APC to FC-APC (or FC-PC to FC-PC) fiber patch cable (you will find everything you need at the fiber polishing station).<br> [[Fiber Epoxy Mixing Instructions]]<br>[[Media:Thorlabs_Polishing_Film.jpg\| Fiber Polishing Film Grades - color code/grit size]]		#Consulting Thorlab's Fiber Polishing Manual [[Media:FN96A-Manual.pdf\| Fiber Polishing and Connectorization]] construct a 1 meter SM FC-APC to FC-APC (or FC-PC to FC-PC) fiber patch cable (you will find everything you need at the fiber polishing station).<br> [[Fiber Epoxy Mixing Instructions]]<br>[[Media:Thorlabs_Polishing_Film.jpg\| Fiber Polishing Film Grades - color code/grit size]]
	## Measure power loss through your patch cable.<br>[[File:Fs-fiber_coupler.jpg\| thumb\| fiber coupler\|right\|200px]]		## Measure power loss through your patch cable.<br>[[File:Fs-fiber_coupler.jpg\| thumb\| fiber coupler\|right\|200px]]
	## Break your patch cable in the middle and repair it with a fusion splice (~~see fusion~~ splicer manual ~~[[Media:X77_Fusion_Splicer.pdf\| Fusion Splicer Manual]] and eBook~~.<br>		## Break your patch cable in the middle and repair it with a fusion splice (consult appropriate splicer manual).<br>
	## Measure the power loss through your fusion spliced patch cable.<br>		## Measure the power loss through your fusion spliced patch cable.<br>
	## Break the fusion splice out of the patch cord leaving two partly-connectorized fibers. Strip and cleave the unconnectorized end of one of the fibers and use the free-space-to-fiber coupler (with a 10x objective) to couple a free space HeNe beam into the fiber (our coupler is not quite as that shown at the right). You should be able to (with a little persistence) get more than 1 mW of power out of the fiber. Observe the transverse modes of the (at HeNe wavelength) MM fiber. See if, by bending the fiber, you can observe a few different transverse modes. Can you identify the modes?<br>		## Break the fusion splice out of the patch cord leaving two partly-connectorized fibers. Strip and cleave the unconnectorized end of one of the fibers and use the free-space-to-fiber coupler (with a 10x objective) to couple a free space HeNe beam into the fiber (our coupler is not quite as that shown at the right). You should be able to (with a little persistence) get more than 1 mW of power out of the fiber. Observe the transverse modes of the (at HeNe wavelength) MM fiber. See if, by bending the fiber, you can observe a few different transverse modes. Can you identify the modes?<br>
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	## Using the applet's "One Atom" window (and no mirrors) explore ''spontaneous emission''. What can you say about the directional properties on a spontaneously emitted photon?		## Using the applet's "One Atom" window (and no mirrors) explore ''spontaneous emission''. What can you say about the directional properties on a spontaneously emitted photon?
	## Using the applet's "Multiple Atoms" window (with mirrors), play around until you have a '''LASER''' ('''L'''ight '''A'''mplification do to '''S'''timulated '''E'''mission of '''R'''adiation). What can you say about the directional properties of a stimulated-emission photon?		## Using the applet's "Multiple Atoms" window (with mirrors), play around until you have a '''LASER''' ('''L'''ight '''A'''mplification do to '''S'''timulated '''E'''mission of '''R'''adiation). What can you say about the directional properties of a stimulated-emission photon?
	# Construct an Erbium-Doped CW SM Fiber Ring Laser.		# '''Construct an Erbium-Doped CW SM Fiber Ring Laser'''.
	## Measure its optical power vs. pump current/power curve.		## Measure its optical power vs. pump current/power curve.
	## Measure its optical spectrum both just below and well above threshold. Is there a difference? Can you explain?		## Measure its optical spectrum both just below and well above threshold. Is there a difference? Can you explain?
			## Measure its short and long term stability
			## Measure/Observe its output polarization characteristics



	* '''CLEAN UP THE OBSTACLE COURSE SETUP AFTER USE'''		* '''CLEAN UP THE OBSTACLE COURSE SETUP AFTER USE'''

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:54, 10 May 2018
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	## Break your patch cable in the middle and repair it with a fusion splice (see fusion splicer manual [[Media:X77_Fusion_Splicer.pdf\| Fusion Splicer Manual]] and eBook.<br>		## Break your patch cable in the middle and repair it with a fusion splice (see fusion splicer manual [[Media:X77_Fusion_Splicer.pdf\| Fusion Splicer Manual]] and eBook.<br>
	## Measure the power loss through your fusion spliced patch cable.<br>		## Measure the power loss through your fusion spliced patch cable.<br>
	## Break the fusion splice out of the patch cord leaving two partly-connectorized fibers. Strip and cleave the unconnectorized end of one of the fibers and use the free-space-to-fiber coupler (with a 10x objective) to couple a free space HeNe beam into the fiber (our coupler is not quite as that shown at the right). Observe the transverse modes of the (at HeNe wavelength) MM fiber. See if, by bending the fiber, you can observe a few different transverse modes.<br>		## Break the fusion splice out of the patch cord leaving two partly-connectorized fibers. Strip and cleave the unconnectorized end of one of the fibers and use the free-space-to-fiber coupler (with a 10x objective) to couple a free space HeNe beam into the fiber (our coupler is not quite as that shown at the right). You should be able to (with a little persistence) get more than 1 mW of power out of the fiber. Observe the transverse modes of the (at HeNe wavelength) MM fiber. See if, by bending the fiber, you can observe a few different transverse modes. Can you identify the modes?<br>
	## Calculate the V number of the light/fiber system. [https://www.rp-photonics.com/v_number.html Read about the V number here].		## Calculate the V number of the light/fiber system. [https://www.rp-photonics.com/v_number.html Read about the V number here].
	## How many transverse modes should you expect the fiber/HeNe system to have?		## How many transverse modes should you expect the fiber/HeNe system to have?
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	## Try to create circular polarization.		## Try to create circular polarization.
	# Read Agrawal's ''Applications of Nonlinear Fiber Optics'' Chapter 5 sections 5.1 and 5.2 (on APL bookshelf in lab). Although we will not be building a short-pulse fiber laser, you may find sections 5.3 and 5.4 interesting (pulsed fiber laser projects are available as advanced projects in the APL).		# Read Agrawal's ''Applications of Nonlinear Fiber Optics'' Chapter 5 sections 5.1 and 5.2 (on APL bookshelf in lab). Although we will not be building a short-pulse fiber laser, you may find sections 5.3 and 5.4 interesting (pulsed fiber laser projects are available as advanced projects in the APL).
			# [[Media:Lasers_en.jar \| Download and run this applet]] to explore spontaneous emission, stimulated emission and lasing.
			## Using the applet's "One Atom" window (and no mirrors) explore ''spontaneous emission''. What can you say about the directional properties on a spontaneously emitted photon?
			## Using the applet's "Multiple Atoms" window (with mirrors), play around until you have a '''LASER''' ('''L'''ight '''A'''mplification do to '''S'''timulated '''E'''mission of '''R'''adiation). What can you say about the directional properties of a stimulated-emission photon?
	# Construct an Erbium-Doped CW SM Fiber Ring Laser.		# Construct an Erbium-Doped CW SM Fiber Ring Laser.
	## Measure its optical power vs. pump current/power curve.		## Measure its optical power vs. pump current/power curve.