Applications of Fiber Optic Couplers to Diagnostic Experiments at the Nevada Test Site

摘要

Fused biconical tapered (FBT) fiber optics star couplers have been used in a variety of applications at the Nevada Test Site to provide increased signal dynamic range for recording devices. Problems which were observed resulted primarily from the modal selection processes which occur in FBT couplers. This paper describes the results of work performed to characterize a new type of splitter for the same applications. The new splitters, obtained commercially, were manufactured using reflection techniques rather than the FBT approach. The splitters exhibit virtually none of the modal problems inherent in the FBT couplers. (ERA citation 10:046917)