Backreflected radiation due to a propagating fiber fuse

The properties of backreflected light due to voids in a fiber fuse were studied using optical coherence-domain reflectometry of a damaged fiber and real-time monitoring of the electrical (RF) and optical frequency spectrum. Light reflected backward at the interface of a propagating fiber fuse acquired low-frequency broadband amplitude modulation, which can be detected remotely at the source end, using an RF spectrum analyzer. For the light backreflected during propagation of a fuse, we derived an analytical expression that well explained the spectral features observed experimentally in the RF spectrum. Finally, a novel method that allowed us to rapidly terminate the fuse propagation (in a few milliseconds) is also shown.