High bandwidth data recording systems for pulsed power and laser produced plasma experiments

Abstract

We present two high bandwidth data transmission and recording systems for the measurement of transient signals during pulsed power and laser produced plasmas. These systems use fiber optic cables to transmit analog data over long distances to high bandwidth digitizing oscilloscopes. One system is based on the direct modulation of a laser diode and has a bandwidth of 1.5 GHz. The other system is based upon a fiberoptic Mach-Zehnder modulator and has a bandwidth of 12 GHz, and is limited by the photo receiver. The signals are recorded on commercial digitizing oscilloscopes that have approximately 6 effective bits. The transmission systems use many off-the-shelf components from the telecommunications industry and thus have a high reliability and a moderate cost. Results from recent measurements will be presented. Investigation of the reduction in optical transmission by the fibers during exposure to high dose radiation will also be discussed. Introduction:

Development of 3GHz Analog Fiber Optic Link for Ultra-fast Signal Transmission

“…Since the conception of signal transmission over optical fibers came forth, optical transmission techniques have been holding rapid improvement all the time. Many kinds of available FOL are employed in the fields such as pulsed ray diagnosis, high power microwave measurements and pulse-power facilities experiments [1][2][3]. They could also be used in radar signal transmission as precise delay lines [4][5].…”

Effects of Radiation on Optical Fibers

“…With the application of anti-radiation optical fibers, the degradation of performance will be reduced and the system life will be extended accordingly. On the other hand, radiation detecting systems based on the parameter changes above-mentioned are established to monitor the ambient radiation doses of underground nuclear exploders, space-aircrafts, radiation reactors and other nuclear facilities (Ramsey et al, 1993;Moss et al, 1994;Tighe et al, 1995;Fernadndez et al, 2002;May, 2006). When radiation projects to optical fibers, three effects will produce: (1) Increase of optical fibers absorption loss.…”

Accuracy of Analog Fiber-Optic Links for Inertial Confinement Fusion Diagnostics

“…The result is increased uncertainties in key parameters required to unfold the sinusoidal transfer function. Two types of modulation are considered: amplitude modulation typical of a Mach-Zehnder (M-Z) modulator [3], and phase modulation, which offers more flexible demodulation options but relies on the spatiotemporal coherence of the light in the fiber. The M-Z link is shown schematically in Fig.…”