The wavelength accumulation effect of Verdet constant upon an optical current sensor

Abstract

Verdet constant is one of the prominent parameter showing the magneto-optical property of magneto-optical materials. There will be a wavelength accumulation effect in the systems employing broad-band optical sources, because of the dispersion property of Verdet constant. It is not proved, however, how much this effect can affect the broad-band system up till now. Therefore it is necessary to research into it, because the question whether it is reasonable and feasible to use a monochromatic light model for the describing of broad-band systems is concerned. The dispersion formula of the Verdet constant of ZF-7 glass is calculated first, and then, its wavelength accumulation effect upon an optical current sensor is theoretically analyzed and digitally simulated, in this paper. The results show that the wavelength accumulation effect of the Verdet constant of ZF-7 glass is less enough and the treatment of using monochromatic model to describe broad-band optical current sensing systems is reasonable and feasible, if the wavelength accumulation effects of the other optical parameters of the sensing head are not considered. The results might be a reference to the colleagues working in the optical current sensing techniques area.