Wavelength multiplexed fiber optics resonant ring hydrophone array

Abstract

A hydrophone array employing a plurality of laser sources coupled onto a single optical fiber communications link. A matching plurality of optical fiber resonant rings, each having a resonance peak at a wavelength substantially equal to the center wavelength of one of the lasers, is selectively coupled to the optical fiber communication link so that substantially only optical energy in a narrow bandwidth around one of the laser center wavelengths is coupled to the corresponding one of the optical fiber resonant rings. Corresponding photodetectors are also wavelength selectively coupled to the optical fiber communications link so that each detector receives only optical energy corresponding to the wavelength of one of the lasers and its corresponding resonant ring, to provide an output signal indicating variations in acoustic pressure at individual resonant rings in the array.