Section outline

  • Why a training session on SOP data analysis

    Collapse all Expand all


    The SUBMERSE project aims to repurpose existing seabed optical communication infrastructures for environmental and geophysical monitoring with cost-efficient methods. One of these innovative applications is based on the measurement of polarization variations.

    SOP-based fiber sensing is a powerful, non-invasive, and scalable tool for detecting physical changes in the environment. When coupled with the right instrumentation and proper data processing, it enables real-time event detection, including seismic activity.

    This training session provides both a theoretical foundation and a practical application of SOP-based sensing in optical fibers by:

    • introducing you to the State of Polarization (SOP) as a parameter that can reflect physical phenomena (e.g., strain, temperature) affecting optical fiber;
    • explaining the physics and measurement techniques of SOP using polarimeters like the PM1000;
    • demonstrating how SOP changes can be used to detect real-world events, such as earthquakes, using both high-end and simplified sensing systems.

  • Fundamentals of measuring changes of the State of Polarization (SOP) with Novoptel PM 1000​

    In this video, Benjamin Koch introduces the fundamental concepts and methods used to measure and analyze State of Polarization (SoP) changes in optical fibers, with a focus on practical application using the Novoptel PM1000 polarimeter.

    Watch this video to understand how to:
    • visually represent polarization;
    • recognize  environmental impacts on fiber polarization;
    • accurately measure and analyze these effects with tools like the PM1000;
    • ensure reliable data processing through timestamp correction, advanced recording techniques, and research software, as MATLAB.

    • Fundamentals of measuring changes of the State of Polarization (SOP) with Novoptel PM 1000 File

      Content covered in the presentation

      1. SOP definition and Poincaré sphere [06:42]
      2. Stokes vectors and normalization types [10:48]
      3. Polarization changes and birefringence [20:12]
      4. Limitations of measuring SOP changes [23:38]
      5. Solution to limitations: Muller Matrix measurement [25:34]
      6.  Recording types of PM1000 [31:48]
      7. Timestamps and synchronization [47:38] 
      8. Answers to audience questions [52:17]
      9. Demo of PM1000 Graphic User Interface [55:00]
      10.  MATLAB for SOP data recoding and analysis [01:11:27]

  • Analysing State of Polarization (SOP) Data​ for earthquakes monitoring

    In this video, Kristina Skarvang Vaskinn demonstrates how State of Polarization (SOP) changes in optical fibers can be used for event detection, particularly earthquake monitoring, using both Full-Stokes and PBS-based polarimeters. She also provides real-world example of detecting an earthquake using SOP data.

    Watch this video to discover that:
    • PBS systems show high sensitivity to earthquake signals, so even small changes in SOP provide valuable insights to detect environmental events like earthquakes;
    • Stokes-based and PBS-based methods align well when proper filters were applied, therefore:
      • Filters are essential for separating different types of events;
      • Integration of different sensing tools enhances signal clarity and detection robustness.
    • Simple implementation makes SOP sensing scalable and globally viable.

    • Analysing State of Polarization (SOP) Data​ for earthquake monitoring File

      Content covered in the presentation

      1. State-of-Polarisation (SoP) definition [05:54]
      2. Measurement Methods
        • Full-Stokes Polarimeter (e.g., PM1000) [07:17]
        • PBS-based Polarimeter [10:10]
      3. Case Study: Earthquake Detection [12:58]
        • Analysing Earthquakes with Full-Stokes polarimeter [14:12]
        • Analysing Earthquakes with PBS polarimeter [16:11]
      4. Data Analysis Techniques
        •  Frequency & Time Analysis [19:02]
        • Multiple events on the same cable [19:55]
        • RMS Plots (Root Mean Square) [21:06]
      5. Answers to audience questions [27:50]

  • Trainer panel

    Kurosh Bozorgebrahimi is Senior Advisor for Optical Networks at Sikt, Norwegian Agency for Shared Services in Education and Research. For the SUBMERSE project, Kurosh leads the task group responsible for technology prototyping, validation, rollout, and deployment.

    Benjamin Koch obtained the Dipl.-Ing. degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Paderborn, Germany (2007) and stayed thereafter as a scientific assistant with its chair for Optical Communication and High-Frequency Engineering. He obtained his doctorate (Dr.-Ing.) in 2012. From 2010 to 2015 he was Director of Novoptel GmbH. He has (co-)authored over 40 peer-reviewed journal and conference papers. 

    Kristina Skarvang Vaskinn obtained her B.Eng. in Applied Physics from Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan (2011-2015). She later earned a MSc from NTNU, Department of Physics (2018-2020). She is currently a PhD candidate at NTNU, Department of Electronic Systems and the SFI Centre for Geophysical Forecasting (CGF), focusing on the application of optical communication to geophysical sensing using state-of-polarisation (SOP) monitoring in subsea and terrestrial cables.