Nonlinear refractive index measurement utilizing bistable behavior of double coupling optical fiber ring resonator

Abstract

A novel approach for measuring the nonlinear refractive index of an optical fiber utlizing the bistable behavior of the double coupling optical fiber ring resonator was proposed and investigated. The switch-off or switch-on power decreases with an increase in the nonlinear refractive index n ₂ (m²/W), and the dependence of swith-off or switch-on power on the nonlinear refractive index was analyzed numerically. Simulation results showed that the switch-off power and switch-on power (in dBW) decreased linearly with log₁₀(n ₂) in a 100-m-length fiber ring resonator, when n ₂ changed from 3.2 × 10⁻²⁰ m²/W to 2.5 × 10⁻¹⁷ m²/W or nearly n ₂ = 3.2 × 10⁻²⁰ m²/W. These mean that high accuracy as well as large-scale nonlinear refractive index measurement can be achieved by the proposed approach.

Keywords

Bistable behavior / nonlinear refractive index / optical fiber ring resonator

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