Simulation of the optical path of a current meter using a Python-based software package.

Introduction. Modern optical technologies are widely used in telecommunications, laser systems and scientific research. Optical effect-based meters have found active application in the field of electric power engineering. Thus, optical measuring transformers are a promising area for the development of intelligent energy systems, contributing to improving the observability of networks and increasing their reliability by eliminating a number of significant disadvantages of traditional transformers. However, the widespread use of new meters is hampered by the high cost of components and the lack of large-scale production facilities. Research and development of optical current meters is ongoing at the current stage. In this regard, mathematical modeling of optical circuits is of particular importance, which makes it possible to optimize the composition and arrangement of elements at the early stages of development. Goal. To develop a software solution that makes it possible to simulate the optical circuits of the components of a polarimetric current sensor, which in turn will optimize the selection and spatial arrangement of the elements of the optical path of the meter and thereby simplify the development process of optical current transformers. Materials and methods. The program is implemented in Python using the NumPy and Matplotlib libraries. The calculation is based on the Jones formalism for describing polarization transformations in a sequence of elements (polarizers, prisms, Faraday rotators, etc.). The principle of current measurement is modeled through the Faraday effect, taking into account the parameters of the magnetic field and the characteristics of the sensitive material (length of the active element, Verde constant). Results and discussion. In the course of the work, a model of the complete optical path was implemented and a comparison of the calculated and experimental output signals was performed. A qualitative match of the waveform was obtained. It is shown that the developed software correctly reproduces the influence of key parameters (azimuthal angles of polarizers, length of the active element, Verde constant) on the frequency and amplitude of the output signal, which confirms the adequacy of the chosen mathematical model for preliminary design tasks. Conclusion. Based on the results of the study, it can be concluded that the developed program is an effective tool for modeling and optimizing the optical path of a current meter and can be used in the development of new designs of optical current transformers, reducing the need for expensive physical prototypes at the early stages of design

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