A novel in-fiber optical switch based on two-core optical fiber

Abstract

A novel in-fiber optical switch based on two-core optical fiber is demonstrated. A Mach-Zehnder intereferometer was integrated into a single optical fiber of 125 μm diameter using a novel coupling connection technology. Then embedding the single optical fiber into a universal optical fiber transmission line, the novel in-fiber optical switch is formed. It can make microscale and integrated optical fiber elements into a complex function system, which greatly improve the performance of in-fiber elements and can develop and manufacture fiber optical sensors acceptable for various special situation. The reference and sensing arms of the intereferometer of the perfect in-fiber optical switch based on two-core optical fiber is integrated into a single fiber, which makes the structure more simple and the optical paths relatively stable, so it can effectively avoid the influence of enviroment factors such as vibration, temperature and greatly improve the performance of in-fiber optical swiches.