SBIR Phase I: Microsphere-Based Optical Spectrum Analyzer

这个小企业创新研究第一阶段项目侧重于微球的创新使用，为光谱分析提供实质性的长路径。微球是直径小于等于100微米的光学材料球体。它们有能力在其赤道直径周围传播光。光可以耦合进出微球。通过这种方式，微球可以作为光谱分析的光室，在非常小的体积内提供一米长的路径长度。这将允许在一个小而坚固的封装中构建精确的光谱分析仪。典型的频谱分析仪是精密的实验室仪器，不支持现场使用。此外，计划用于光网络的超窄信道间隔将超过光谱分析仪目前可用的范围能力。所提出的设备相对便宜，易于集成到新的和现有的光纤网络中，并且足够坚固，可以在现场部署中生存。电信服务提供商需要现场监控设备来防止系统停机，而完成这项工作的最佳工具是光谱分析仪。所提议的设备将以更高的精度，更低的成本提供这种能力，并且在一个能够在现场连续使用的封装中。

This Small Business Innovative Research Phase I project focuses on the innovative use of microspheres to provide substantially long pathlengths for spectrum analysis. Microspheres are spheres of optical material 100 um or less in diameter. They have the ability to propagate light around their equatorial diameter. Light can be coupled in and out of the microsphere. In this way, a microsphere can serve as the light chamber for spectral analysis, offering a meters-long path length in a very small volume. This will allow the construction of accurate optical spectrum analyzers in a small, robust package. Typical spectrum analyzers are delicate laboratory instruments that do not support field use. Furthermore, the ultra-narrow channel spacing being planned for optical networks will exceed the currently available range capabilities of optical spectrum analyzers. The proposed device will be relatively inexpensive, easy to integrate into new and existing fiber networks, and rugged enough to survive field deployments. Telecommunications service providers need field monitoring equipment to prevent system shutdowns, and the best tool for that job is an optical spectrum analyzer. The proposed device would provide that capability with better accuracy, at a lower cost, and in a package capable of continuous use in the field.