PXA-10000 pages

Distributed Polarization Crosstalk Analyzer—PolaX™
PXA-1000

General Photonics Corp.
5228 Edison Ave.
Chino, CA 91710
Tel: 909.590.5473
Fax: 909.902.5536

Email:
info@generalphotonics.com

Website:
www.generalphotonics.com

The Distributed Polarization Crosstalk (X-Talk) Analyzer (PXA1000) is an enhanced version of a white light interferometer
designed to obtain space-resolved stress information by
analyzing stress-induced polarization cross-coupling along a
length of polarization maintaining (PM) fiber. Its patentpending optical design eliminates the strong zero-order
interference and reduces the multi-coupling interference
common in traditional white light interferometers, both of which
can cause “ghost” peaks in the measured signal. The removal
of the “ghost” peaks enables the PXA-1000 to unambiguously
identify the magnitudes and locations of actual x-talk peaks,
resulting in higher measurement sensitivity, higher dynamic
range, and higher spatial measurement accuracy than
traditional white light interferometers. The PXA-1000 also
enables the use of the PM fiber itself as the sensing medium,
eliminating the need to place multiple fiber gratings along the
fiber. It can therefore obtain higher spatial resolution of the
stress distribution than grating-based systems. Because no discrete sensing elements are required, the
system is easy to install and calibrate, making it ideal for monitoring space-resolved structural changes
along bridges, tunnels, dams, oil pipes, or buildings. It can also be used as an intrusion detection
system, because any mechanical disturbances to the PM fiber will cause polarization coupling. Another
important application is PM fiber quality inspection. The PXA-1000 easily identifies defective sections of
PM fiber, enabling the manufacturers or users to remove them. Furthermore, the PXA-1000 is ideal for
quality inspection and screening of PM fiber coils, since it can pinpoint the locations of imperfections or
areas of local stress on the fiber coil induced during the fiber winding process. The PXA-1000 comes
with a notebook computer equipped with PolaXView™ software, which displays the location and
polarization coupling ratio of each stress point as a function of distance, and flags stress points with
polarization coupling above a user defined trigger threshold. A quality inspection report window
indicates the pass/fail status of the PM fiber or PM fiber coil, with a list of the locations and polarization
coupling strengths of all stress points. Other applications of the instrument include measuring the
extremely high polarization extinction ratio of a polarizing waveguide, obtaining the autocorrelation
function of a light source, measuring the birefringence of a PM fiber and the lengths of PM and SM
fibers, and matching the optical path lengths of an interferometer.

Preliminary Specifications:
Operation Wavelengths
Polarization X-talk dynamic range
System noise floor
Polarization X-talk resolution
Polarization X-talk accuracy1
Measurement or sensing range
(Assuming PM fiber Δn of 5 x10-4)
Measurement speed2
Spatial resolution
PER measurement range
Spatial accuracy
Waveguide polarization dependent
attenuation
LiNbO3 waveguide spatial resolution
SLD Power
SLD bandwidth
SLD PER
Software
Operating Temperature
Storage Temperature
Power Supply
Communications interface
Display
Dimensions

GP-DS-PXA-1000-12
3-2-12

1310 or 1550 nm
75 dB ( for DUT output power >5dBm )
−95 dB
0.25 dB
0.5 dB
1.3 km standard, 2.6 km optional
8 s/ 100 m (with fiber Δn = 5 x10-4)
5 cm (assuming no fiber dispersion,
birefringence Δn=5x10-4)
> 30 dB
±20 cm (fiber Δn =5x10-4 )

Applications:
Distributed stress sensing
Structural change monitoring in
bridges, tunnels, dams, and buildings
PM fiber quality inspection
PM fiber coil winding in-process
monitoring
PM fiber coil quality inspection
Polarizing waveguide quality inspection
Intrusion detection

> 75dB ( for DUT output power >5dBm )
0.75 mm
>10 dBm
> 30 nm
>20 dB
PolaXView™ data analysis/display software
10 to 50 °C
−20 to 60 °C
100-240VAC, 50-60 Hz
USB
Notebook computer with USB connection
2U, ¾ 19” rack width
3.5” (H) x 14” (W) x 14” (D)

Notes:
1. At 23 ± 5°C.
2. Time listed includes measurement period only. After a new measurement range is set,
the instrument may require additional time for internal setup before beginning the
measurement.

Unique Features:
High spatial resolution: 5 cm
PM fiber as intrinsic sensing element
75 dB X-talk dynamic range
30 dB PER measurement range
Large fiber measurement range: 2.6 km

Ordering Information:
PXA – 1000 – XX – XX
Wavelength:
13 = 1310nm
15 = 1550nm

Connector Type:
FC/PC, FC/APC
SC/PC, or SC/APC