Modulation-Frequency Dependence of Spatial Resolution in Optical Correlation-Domain Reflectometry

Abstract: The spatial resolution of optical correlation-domain reflectometry (OCDR) has conventionally been described by an expression that is independent of the modulation frequency $f_m$, source linewidth $δν$, and receiver resolution bandwidth (RBW). However, our previous measurements showed that the spatial resolution $Δz$ improves with increasing $f_m$. Here, we develop a theoretical model for OCDR with a frequency shifter by evaluating the electrical power detected by an electrical spectrum analyzer and explicitly including $δν$ and the RBW $B$. The model predicts two regimes. At low $f_m$, $Δz$ decreases approximately in proportion to $1/f_m$, with the proportionality determined by the combined source and receiver spectral response. At high $f_m$, $Δz$ approaches a constant value determined by the modulation amplitude $Δf$ and independent of the source linewidth and RBW filter. Measurements at RBW = 1 MHz reproduced the transition between these regimes over correlation orders up to 2048. At RBW = 10 MHz, a Voigt representation of the spectral response overestimated $Δz$, whereas direct use of the measured unmodulated beat spectrum reduced the discrepancy to approximately 10 to 20%. These results provide a quantitative description of the modulation-frequency dependence of OCDR spatial resolution and clarify its trade-off with measurement range.