Measurement of Brillouin Gain Spectrum of Optical Fiber Using Direct Optical Frequency Modulation of Laser Diode

A new method of measuring the Brillouin gain spectrum of optical fiber is proposed and demonstrated. Unlike existing methods, both the pump light and the counter-propagating probe light are generated from a single laser diode whose optical frequency is directly modulated by injection current modulation. The frequency difference between the pump and the probe is scanned continuously through optical frequency chirp occurring when the injection current is modulated with a square wave. The measured Brillouin gain spectrum of telecom single-mode fiber agrees well with that shown in other literature.