Do you know what the optical isolator does

2021-10-23
Its function is to prevent the adverse effects of the backward transmitted light generated in the optical path due to various reasons on the light source and the optical path system. For example, installing an optical isolator between the semiconductor laser source and the optical transmission system can greatly reduce the adverse effects of reflected light on the stability of the spectral output power of the light source.

In the high-speed direct modulation and direct detection optical fiber communication system, the backward transmission light will generate additional noise, which will degrade the performance of the system. This also requires an optical isolator to eliminate it. Installing optical isolators on both ends of the doped fiber in the fiber amplifier can improve the working stability of the fiber amplifier. Without it, the retro-reflected light will enter the signal source (laser), causing violent fluctuations in the signal source.

In the coherent optical long-distance optical fiber communication system, an optical isolator is installed at intervals to reduce the power loss caused by stimulated Brillouin scattering. Therefore, optical isolators play an important role in optical fiber communications, optical information processing systems, optical fiber sensing, and precision optical measurement systems.