Free space fiber optics experiments for photonics engineers and technician training

As part of new programs at Bridgewater State University (BSU), including a new Photonic and Optical Engineering BS program and a Photonics Technician certificate program, we have developed new optics and fiber optics courses based on discrete fiber and optical components that we have put together into a single kit. These courses and kits are useful to teach fundamentals of optics and fiber optics to various level audiences ranging from high school, community college students, university level physics and engineering students. In this paper, we are including the details of the fiber optics experiments as well as the equipment used for each experiment. A subsequent paper details the optics course and a dedicated paper on the kit itself will follow later. These experiments include laser safety training along with the details of laser safety goggles. Class 2 visible laser is used to couple the light into single-mode, multi-mode, polarization maintaining fibers and fiber couplers. Students learn the beam walking techniques for optical alignment by using the over-the-counter discrete optical components such as lenses, mirrors, iris and polarizers. In addition to the optical alignment skills, students work on power measurements, and calculate the coupling efficiency, propagation loss and bending loss. Polarization measurements are added to compliment the understanding of electromagnetic fields. These experiments emphasizing on the fundamentals of free space fiber optics, will open a pathway for students to continue to the field of integrated photonics and will help to fill the demands of both technicians and engineers in industry.