Acquisition of phase-shift fiber grating spectra with 23.5 femtometer spectral resolution using DFB-LD.

A novel method based on distributed-feedback laser diode (DFB-LD) continuous wavelength-scanning for acquiring precise spectra of phase-shift fiber gratings is presented. Compared to the traditional method, the spectral resolution retrieved by this method is only limited by the optical line-width of the light source, which can reach up to the order of femtometer and is much higher than that of high-resolution optical spectrum analyzer (generally on the order of picometer). In addition, a Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) advantage can be provided owing to a much higher spectral density of DFB-LD than amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) source. Precise spectra of three phase-shift fiber grating samples have been obtained at a resolution of 23.5 femtometer.