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Optical Communications Multiple Choice Questions on “Optical Isolators and Circulators”.
1. An FBG is developed within a fiber core having a refractive index of 1.30. Find the grating period for it to reflect an optical signal with a wavelength of 1.33μm.
a) 0.51 μm
b) 0.58 μm
c) 0.61 μm
d) 0.49 μm
Answer: a
Explanation: The grating period is denoted by Λ. It is given by-
Λ = λB/ 2n
Where λB = wavelength
n = refractive index.
2. It is a passive device which allows the flow of optical signal power in only one direction and preventing reflections in the backward direction.
a) Fiber slice
b) Optical fiber connector
c) Optical isolator
d) Optical coupler
Answer: c
Explanation: Ideally, an optical isolator transmits the signal power in the desired forward direction. Material imperfections in the isolator medium generate backward reflections. Optical isolators can be implemented by using FBG.
3. Which feature of an optical isolator makes it attractive to use with optical amplifier?
a) Low loss
b) Wavelength blocking
c) Low refractive index
d) Attenuation
Answer: b
Explanation: Optical isolators are made using FBGs. Since FBGs are wavelength dependent, the optical isolators can be designed to allow or block the optical signal at particular wavelength. The wavelength blocking feature makes the optical isolator a very attractive device for use with optical amplifier in order to protect them from backward reflections.
4. Magneto-optic devices can be used to function as isolators.
a) True
b) False
Answer: a
Explanation: Magneto-optic devices use the principle of Faraday rotation. It relates the TM mode characteristics and polarization state of an optical signal with its direction of propagation. The rotation of polarization plane is proportional to the intensity of component of magnetic field in the direction of optical signal. Therefore, it is possible to block and divert an optical signal using magnetic properties which is a function of an isolator.
5. How many implementation methods are available for optical isolators?
a) One
b) Four
c) Two
d) Three
Answer: d
Explanation: Optical isolators can be implemented using three techniques. These are as follows:
-By using FBGs
-By using magnetic oxide materials
-By using semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs).
6. A device which is made of isolators and follows a closed loop path is called as a ____________
a) Circulator
b) Gyrator
c) Attenuator
d) Connector
Answer: a
Explanation: Isolator can be connected together to form multiport devices. A circulator is formed from isolators connected together to form a closed circular path. In circulator, the signal continues to travel in closed loop and does not get discarded unlike isolator.
7. The commercially available circulators exhibit insertion losses around ________________
a) 2 dB
b) 0.7 dB
c) 0.2 dB
d) 1 dB
Answer: d
Explanation: A number of isolators can be used to implement a circulator. However, as the number of ports increases, the device complexity increases. Hence, three-or four-port circulators are used for optical interconnection with insertion losses around 1 dB and high isolation in the range of 40-50dB.
8. A combination of a FBG and optical isolators can be used to produce non-blocking optical wavelength division add/draw multiplexers.
a) True
b) False
Answer: b
Explanation: Optical wavelength divisions add/draw multiplexers can be produced by a combination of a FBG and a circulator. Non-blocking NXM optical wavelengths divisions add/draw multiplexer is produced where N and M denotes the number of wavelength channels and add/drop channels.
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