Abstract

The use of rare-earth-doped fiber amplifiers 2nd lasers for fiber-optic sensors began at the early stage of fiber-amplifier development. The initial applications were primarily as optical sources for special types 01 interferometric sensors, such as fiber-optic gyroscopes that require broad optical bandwidth with highly stable mean wavelength and relatively high output power. The amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) from Nd-and Er-doped fiber amplifiers satisfies all the requirements, making it an ideal source for fiber gyroscopes. The same fiber amplifier used as an ASE source can also provide amplification of the sensor output signal, improving the sensitivity of the gyroscope.¹

© 1994 Optical Society of America