Linear phase tracking in a coherence modulation electrical sensor system using integrated LiNbO/sub 3/ modulator/demodulator

We report an interferometric sensor system, based on coherence modulation of light and LiNbO/sub 3/ integrated optics technology. We describe a phase detection scheme designed to retrieve the absolute phase variations produced by a sensor system where the sensor signal is electronically applied to an electro-optic modulator. The system consists of an imbalanced LiNbO/sub 3/ Mach-Zehnder transducer fed by a self-powered charge generating sensor, and an optoelectronic central processing unit including a second electrooptic Mach-Zehnder working as an optical demodulator and featuring a matched path-imbalance. Electrical feedback is applied to this second interferometer in an active demodulation scheme, allowing a linear tracking of the signal phase up to 7-/spl pi/ radians.