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A system and method is disclosed for detecting optical signals that is especially suitable for use with a fiber optic sonar transducer array. The system preferably uses two photodiodes with a frequency response matched to within one percent over a bandwidth of at least one Gigahertz to reduce common mode intensity noise. Preferably the two photodiodes are manufactured on the same semiconductor wafer to provide as closely identical properties as possible. In one preferred embodiment, two low-noise miniature microwave integrated circuits are used to amplify the detected signal. A biasing network biases and couples the miniature integrated circuits together.

An apparatus and method for stripping the protective coating from and etching a fiber optic cable or fiber-like substrate utilizing a housing which is filled with processing chemicals and has an aperture and positioned for securely holding a selected cable segment over the chemicals before processing. The housing is covered by a lid which has handles for raising and lowering the lid and tabs which, when the lid is lowered, contact the selected cable segment and push it through the housing aperture into the processing chemicals. When the lid is closed, it cooperates with a channel or guide in the housing to keep the segment from moving during processing., Supersedes PAT-APPL-494 423-95, AD-D018 034.

An optical fiber holding apparatus is provided for nondestructively supporting one or more optical fibers. For each optical fiber, a rod has a slot formed along its length to receive therein one optical fiber. A retainer is mated with the rod such that the retainer is in contact with the optical fiber. A support block has a borehole defined by a first portion extending from a first side of the block to an annular shoulder within the block. The first portion is sized to receive the rod with its optical fiber and retainer so that the retainer holds the optical fiber within the rod's slot. The borehole further has a second portion extending from the annular shoulder through to a second side of the block opposite the first side. The second portion has a cross-section large enough to allow the optical fiber extending the end of the rod to pass through the second side of the block.

An optical fiber holding apparatus is provided for non-destructively supporting one or more optical fibers.