Proceedings Volume 8421

OFS2012 22nd International Conference on Optical Fiber Sensors

Yanbiao Liao, Wei Jin, David D. Sampson, et al.
cover
Proceedings Volume 8421

OFS2012 22nd International Conference on Optical Fiber Sensors

Yanbiao Liao, Wei Jin, David D. Sampson, et al.
View the digital version of this volume at SPIE Digital Libarary.

Volume Details

Date Published: 4 October 2012
Contents: 26 Sessions, 420 Papers, 0 Presentations
Conference: OFS2012 22nd International Conference on Optical Fiber Sensor 2012
Volume Number: 8421

Table of Contents

icon_mobile_dropdown

Table of Contents

All links to SPIE Proceedings will open in the SPIE Digital Library. external link icon
View Session icon_mobile_dropdown
  • Front Matter: Volume 8421
  • Fiber Optic Gyro I: 35 Anniversary Workshop
  • Fiber Optic Gyro II: 35 Anniversary Workshop
  • Fiber Optic Gyro III: 35 Anniversary Workshop
  • Fiber Optic Gyro IV: 35 Anniversary Workshop
  • Special Workshop on Industrial Progress, Commercial Systems, and Field Tests I
  • Special Workshop on Industrial Progress, Commercial Systems, and Field Tests II
  • Special Workshop on Industrial Progress, Commercial Systems, and Field Tests III
  • Special Workshop on Industrial Progress, Commercial Systems, and Field Tests IV
  • Plenary Session
  • Physical and Mechanical Sensors I
  • Micro- and Nano-structured Fiber Sensors I
  • Distributed Sensing I
  • Physical and Mechanical Sensors II
  • Micro- and Nano-structured Fiber Sensors II
  • Slow and Fast Light, and Other Emerging Technologies
  • Smart Structures and Sensor Multiplexing
  • Biomedical and Chemical Sensors I
  • Biomedical and Chemical Sensors II
  • Fiber Grating Sensors
  • Distributed Sensing II
  • Sensor Application and Field Tests
  • Poster Session 1: Physical, Mechanical, Electromagnetic, and Fiber Grating
  • Poster Session 2: Biomedical and Chemical Sensor, Micro-structured Fiber Sensors, Sensor Multiplexing
  • Poster Session 3: Fiber Optic Gyroscopes, New Fibers and Coating Materials, Distributed Sensing, Sensor cont.
  • Post-Deadline Manuscripts
Front Matter: Volume 8421
icon_mobile_dropdown
Front Matter: Volume 8421
Text here
Fiber Optic Gyro I: 35 Anniversary Workshop
icon_mobile_dropdown
Fiber optic gyros past, present, and future
This paper will review the technical developments that brought the fiber optic gyro from the laboratory to production. Selected Northrop Grumman fiber optic gyro based products will be then reviewed at a high level. Finally, potential future developments in fiber optic gyros that are being examined by researchers around the world will be reviewed.
The fiber-optic gyroscope: actually better than the ring-laser gyroscope?
Hervé C. Lefevre
The fiber-optic gyroscope started to be investigated 35 years ago, opening the way for a fully solid-state rotation sensor. It was firstly seen as limited to medium-grade applications, but today, it reaches ultimate theoretical performance and surpasses its well-established competitor, the ring laser gyroscope, in terms of bias noise and long-term stability.
Fiber optic gyro R&D at Beihang University
Chunxi Zhang, Ningfang Song, Lijing Li, et al.
Beihang University has been carrying out systematic research from basic theory to industrialization of fiber optic gyroscope (FOG). Through the study on basic theory and establishment of physical and mathematical model, simulation platform is formed for the analysis of FOG system.. Production lines are established for integration, test and manufacture of components and FOG products. The test results of our typical products indicate that high performance FOG has a bias stability of 0.0008°h in laboratory, and three-axis FOG has a bias stability of better than 0.01°/h.
Fiber Optic Gyro II: 35 Anniversary Workshop
icon_mobile_dropdown
Fiber optic gyros in a high-performance, high-reliability inertial reference unit for commercial satellites
S. Sanders, A. Taranta, S. Mosor, et al.
Honeywell Space Systems Division has successfully completed development of the Interferometric Fiber Optic Gyroscopes (IFOG) for a next-generation Inertial Reference Unit (IRU) to point commercial satellites. The design, build, and test phase of an engineering-model of this IRU, nicknamed Spirit, completed in 2011. The Spirit IRU complements the existing portfolio of Honeywell navigation products, such as the Miniature Inertial Measurement Unit (MIMU), by leveraging the long life and excellent performance inherent in FOG technology. This paper provides an overview of the Spirit system along with initial results from gyro performance and life testing.
Interferometric closed loop fiber optical gyroscopes for commercial and space applications
Yu. N. Korkishko, V. A. Fedorov, V. E. Prilutskii, et al.
The design and industrial production of closed loop fiber optical gyroscopes with linear digital output for commercial, military and space applications is considered. These gyros characterized by high accuracy can be applied in high-grade (space, aviation, marine, land) inertial navigation systems.
Fiber Optic Gyro III: 35 Anniversary Workshop
icon_mobile_dropdown
Resonator fiber optic gyro progress including observation of navigation grade angle random walk
Lee K. Strandjord, Tiequn Qiu, Jianfeng Wu, et al.
A benchtop experimental resonator fiber optic gyro (RFOG) was assembled and tested. The gyro employed a fiber length of 19 meters of polarizing fiber for the sensing coil which was wound on a 4.5 inch diameter piezoelectric cylinder. Angle random walk (ARW) values in the range of 0.0075 to 0.0085 deg/rt-hr were observed against a calculated shot noise limit of 0.0053 deg/rt.-hr for this experimental arrangement. To our knowledge, this is the first ARW result reported for an RFOG that is consistent with commercial navigation-grade performance.
Resonator fiber optic gyro with bipolar digital Serrodyne Modulation Scheme
Xijing Wang, Masato Kishi, Zuyuan He, et al.
We have proposed and studied a resonator fiber optic gyro (R-FOG) with bipolar digital serrodyne phase modulation scheme. The serrodyne modulation serves multiple functions from reducing noises caused by fiber characteristics, such as backscattering and optical Kerr effect, to achieving gyro signal processing including closed-loop operation. Because the sensing fiber length in R-FOG is much shorter than that in interferometer FOG (I-FOG), the Shupe effect, which is caused by temporally variant temperature distribution along the fiber, can effectively be reduced in R-FOG. In this paper, a resonator made of a polarization-maintaining optical fiber (PMF) with twin 90o polarization-axis rotated splices has been proposed to suppress the polarization-fluctuation induced drift. An automated control to optimize the suppression has been proposed and demonstrated in experiments. To suppress the backscattering induced noise effectively, a precise adjustment of amplitude of the bipolar digital serrodyne waveform has also been introduced. Additionally, a closed-loop operation has been demonstrated by locking both the frequencies of clockwise (CW) and counter clockwise (CCW) travelling lightwaves to the resonator's resonant frequencies with manipulating the serrodyne waveform.
Fiber Optic Gyro IV: 35 Anniversary Workshop
icon_mobile_dropdown
Improving fiber optic gyroscope performance using a laser and photonic-bandgap fiber
Based on insights from a new model of scattering in FOGs for high-coherence sources, we demonstrate experimentally that a fiber optic gyroscope (FOG) can be driven with a laser of suitable linewidth and exhibit short and long-term performance matching that of a FOG driven by a broadband source. This innovation can be combined with the use of hollow-core fiber in the sensor coil to produce new FOGs exceeding current standards.
Truly single-mode polarization maintaining hollow core PCF
J. K. Lyngsø, C. Jakobsen, H. R. Simonsen, et al.
Fabrication of a truly single mode, low loss and polarization maintaining HC-PCF is reported. This fiber has a 50 nm wide strictly single mode region with good polarization holding (h-parameter below 10-4 m-1) and low loss (<20 dB/km).
Polarization maintaining photonic crystal fiber IFOG
Yuanhong Yang, Miao Ye, Weiqian Duan, et al.
Polarization maintaining (PM) photonic crystal fiber (PCF) and Er-doped PCF technologies are investigated for interferometer fiber optic gyroscope (IFOG) applications. A PM-PCF optimized to achieve low-loss and high polarization extinction splice-joints with conventional PM fiber pigtails of a multifunction integrated optical circuit (MIOC) was drawn and tested under different temperature conditions. The loss and polarization crosstalk properties of a fiber coil made from the PM PCF were measured and compared with conventional PM fiber. An erbium-doped PCF was designed and fabricated, with which a superfluorescent fiber source (SFS) was made and tested. The results show that an IFOG with the PM-PCF coil and the Er-doped PCF source could achieve better temperature performance. An experimental PCF-based prototype IFOG was built and tested , and preliminary results was obtained.
Special Workshop on Industrial Progress, Commercial Systems, and Field Tests I
icon_mobile_dropdown
Optical coherence tomography and optical smart sensing
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) has been developed particularly for biomedical and industrial fields owing to the advantage of in vivo real time optical imaging with a micro-scale high resolution. Depending on specific imaging purposes, various dedicated OCT systems have been proposed and implemented. We present the recent achievements of OCT systems and their applications such as monitoring of cross-sectional biological specimen, discrimination of living human breast cancer cells, and characterization of wet pad surface in chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) process.
Fiber optic sensors shine bright: industrial applications where FOS bring differentiated performance/value
Fiber Optic Sensors have been the topic of numerous conferences over the past 30 years, including the 22 International OFS meetings. These events, driven predominately by academic and research institutions, have helped develop the science of fiber optic sensing, and served an important role in growing the knowledge base in this field. The applications of fiber sensors has always been an important topic for discussion but, apart from a few notable exceptions, it has been a slow progression from lab-bench to realizing true differentiated, value-added, commercial applications for fiber sensors. The past decade has, however, been a tipping point for the commercial success of fiber optic sensors, particularly in industrial applications. This paper will review some of these advances and highlight areas where fiber optic sensors bring true commercial benefits in industrial settings.
Special Workshop on Industrial Progress, Commercial Systems, and Field Tests II
icon_mobile_dropdown
Fiber-optic strain sensors are making the leap from lab to industrial use: reliability and validation as precondition for standards
Fiber-optic sensors are increasingly used if special requirements avoid the application of electrical sensors, or economic benefit is promised. The scientific background is well developed; however, there are some restrictions with respect to long-term reliable use. For a widespread practical use, sensor products must be manufactured, characterized and validated according to standards. Guidelines on how to apply sensors and evaluate their operation on-site including special facilities to evaluate applied sensors are needed. The paper will present validation methods to evaluate the quality of sensor systems function. It will also indicate lacks of knowledge and methods to be filled to promote the use of FOS.
Fiber optic sensors and their applications on structural health monitoring in South Korea
Il-Bum Kwon, Ki-Sun Choi
Fiber optic sensors can be used to measure some physical quantities through long optical fibers applied on structures. Three types of fiber optic sensors, fiber Bragg grating sensor, Brillouin OTDR(optical time domain reflectometry) and Raman OTDR(optical time domain reflectometry), are mostly useful to sense structural health status. In my works, multiplexing of FBG sensors, Raman OTDR and fiber optic BOTDA(Brillouin Optical Time Domain Analysis) sensor will be introduced in this presentation. Novel auto correction Raman OTDR can only sense temperature without any influence, such as bending losses. Double pulse technique is introduced to enhance spatial resolution of BOTDA. An error compensation of distributed strain measurement is also developed to get precise strain measurement using the BOTDA sensor. Finally, the applications of fiber optic sensors are shown in several fields including aerospace, civil structures and wind turbine blades in South Korea.
Research on optic fiber sensing engineering technology
Desheng Jiang, Ciming Zhou, Minghong Yang, et al.
The research on engineering experiment is a key step in translating technical development to industrial application. According to our practical experience for more than 30 years and some applications of the fire alarm system, bridge, coal and power safety ensuring system, this paper reviews on engineering technique problems in the application of fiber optic sensor and their solutions, which may provide some references for wider industrial applications.
Special Workshop on Industrial Progress, Commercial Systems, and Field Tests III
icon_mobile_dropdown
Raman sensors and their applications
Arthur H. Hartog
Distributed temperature sensors (DTS) based on Raman optical time-domain reflectometry (OTDR) are now commonly used in a wide range of industries. This paper summarises the state-of-the-art DTS systems, including recent developments, and describes some important applications.
Recent progress in distributed optical fiber raman sensors
Zaixuan Zhang, Shangzhong Jin, Jianfeng Wang, et al.
A brief review of recent progress in researches, productions and applications of distributed fiber Raman sensors at China Jiliang University (CJLU) is presented. In order to improve the measurement distance, the accuracy, the space resolution, the ability of multi-parameter measurements, and the intelligence of distributed fiber sensor systems, a new generation fiber sensor technology based on the optical fiber nonlinear scattering fusion principle is proposed. A series of new generation distributed fiber sensors are investigated and designed, which consist of new generation ultra-long distributed fiber Raman and Rayleigh scattering sensors integrated with a fiber Raman amplifier (FRA), auto-correction full distributed fiber Raman temperature sensors based on Raman correlation dual sources, distributed fiber Raman temperature sensors based on a pulse coding source, distributed fiber Raman temperature sensors using a fiber Raman wavelength shifter, a new type of Brillouin optical time domain analyzers (BOTDA) integrated with a fiber Raman amplifier, distributed fiber Raman and Brillouin sensors integrated with a fiber Raman amplifier, and distributed fiber Brillouin sensors integrated with a fiber Brillouin frequency shifter. Sensor networks are important components of the internet of things. The distributed optical fiber sensor network (Rayleigh, Raman, and Brillouin scattering) is a 3S (smart materials, smart structure, and smart skill) system, which is easy to construct smart fiber sensor networks. The distributed optical fiber sensor has been applied to the power grids, railways, bridges, tunnels, roads, constructions, water supply systems, dams, oil and gas pipelines and other facilities, and can be integrated with wireless networks.
Fiber optic asset integrity monitoring using Brillouin-based distributed sensing for the oil and gas and energy industries: challenges and achievements
Etienne Rochat, Marc Nikles
Asset integrity monitoring based on distributed fiber optic monitoring using BOTDA is playing an increasingly important role in today’s oil and gas and energy industries. Existing applications, part of operator’s asset integrity management plans are as diverse as fatigue monitoring of subsea umbilicals, thermal optimization of direct electrical heated subsea flowlines, pipeline leak and ground movement detection and 3D pipeline deformation monitoring or thermal management of offshore wind farm electrical export cable. The monitoring solutions developed and qualified by OMNISENS over the last decade are now installed world wild, providing 24/7 event detection and localization for its valuable customers.
Special Workshop on Industrial Progress, Commercial Systems, and Field Tests IV
icon_mobile_dropdown
Development of fiber-optic current sensing technology for electric power systems
Kiyoshi Kurosawa
This paper describes development and applications of a fiber-optic electric current sensor with stable properties and compact, simple, and flexible structure. The special characteristics of the sensor were achieved with use of special low birefringent fiber as the Faraday-effect sensing element, and were also achieved with creation of a sensing scheme which matches with the properties of the fiber. Making use of the excellent features of the sensing technology, various current monitoring devices and systems were developed and applied practically for control and maintenance in electric power facility. In this paper, examples of field tests and practical applications of such systems are introduced, including fault section/point location systems for power transmission cable lines.
Fiber optic acoustic sensing
Clay Kirkendall
A review of fiber optic acoustic sensors for naval applications is presented. Limitations of fiber interferometric sensors are described and novel acoustic sensor transducers enabled through fiber laser sensor technology are presented.
Recent progress toward fiber optic hydrophone research, application and commercialization in China
Yongming Hu, Zhengliang Hu, Hong Luo, et al.
The fiber optic hydrophone research in China has a history of over 20 years. This talk will summarize some remarkable millstones in this history. Recent progress toward the fiber optic hydrophone research and application will be discussed. Some commercialization explorations will also be introduced.
Fiber optical sensor trends in the energy field
M. Willsch, T. Bosselmann, M. Villnow, et al.
The raising demand for increase of efficiency and reduction of costs in power generation causes a mind change and promotes the commercial use of fiber optical sensors for health monitoring and control purposes.
Plenary Session
icon_mobile_dropdown
Optical nanosensors and nanoprobes: from single-cell exploration to medical diagnostics
This lecture presents an overview of recent advances in the development of optical nanobiosensor and nanoprobe technology at the nexus of engineering, biology, medicine and nanotechnology. The presentation describes two areas of research related to the development of nanoprobes and nanosensors for biomolecule detection and single-cell analysis : (1) plasmonics nanoprobes using surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) detection; and (2) nanobiosensors for in vivo analysis of a single cell for molecular diagnostics and imaging, and ultra-high throughput screening. Novel nanobiosensors and nanoprobes combining bio-recognition and nanotechnology have been developed for in-vitro molecular diagnostics and in-vivo monitoring of biological targets and biochemical processes in a single living cell. These studies demonstrate applications of plasmonics “molecular sentinel” nanoprobes for diagnostics of diseases such as cancer and the use of nano-biosensors for measurements of molecular signaling pathways inside a single cell. Fiberoptics-based nanobiosensors are used to detect apoptotic processes in single cells following photodynamic cancer treatment or to monitor pH in cancer cells. These nanodevices open new possibilities to a wide range of applications in medical diagnostics at the point of care, global health, molecular imaging, biology research, ultra-high throughput screening, and investigations of the therapeutic action of pharmaceutical agents.
Physical and Mechanical Sensors I
icon_mobile_dropdown
Development of nano-strain-resolution fiber optic quasi-static strain sensors for geophysical applications
Zuyuan He, Qingwen Liu, Tomochika Tokunaga
We report a series of nano-strain resolution fiber-optic static-strain sensors by use of fiber Bragg gratings and fiber Fabry-Perot interferometers, for the monitoring the crustal deformation in geophysics research field. These sensors have identical references for static strain measurement, and the resolution and dynamic range are guaranteed by the interrogation methods. With the fiber Bragg grating sensor, field demonstrations on the monitoring of crustal deformation induced by oceanic tide have been carried out with nano-strain resolution. Development of high performance fiber Fabry-Perot interferometer sensor is also introduced.
Compact flexural disc accelerometers based on optical microfiber
George Y. Chen, Xueliang Zhang, Timothy Lee, et al.
The minimum bend radius of optical microfiber allows very compact flexural disc accelerometers to be manufactured without significant degradation of the optical signal in terms of attenuation and depolarization. Such compact sensors have potentially very high responsivity in small packages. We demonstrate a responsivity of 4 rad/g between 100-1000 Hz for a disc wound with microfiber of 60-millimeter length and 10-micron diameter microfiber. We report the successful fabrication of a 0.4-meter length and 10-micron diameter microfiber using a new tapering setup and an automated technique is proposed for efficiently winding long lengths of microfiber onto the flexural disc.
A passive frequency noise insensitive fiber strain sensor using post processing
Timothy T.-Y. Lam, Malcolm B. Gray, Daniel A. Shaddock, et al.
Laser frequency fluctuations limit the ultimate resolution in interferometric fiber sensors. In this work, we demonstrate an interferometric sensor insensitive to the effects of frequency change in an interrogating laser. A system is characterized showing a minimum of 4.5 orders of magnitude frequency change reduction, and a demonstrated broadband improvement of up to 1.5 orders of magnitude for signals between 100 mHz and 1 Hz. Using this technique a resolution of less than a nanostrain/rtHz was achieved for a broad range of frequencies.
Rocking filter in microstructured fiber for high resolution hydrostatic pressure measurements
A. Anuszkiewicz, G. Statkiewicz-Barabach, T. Borsukowski, et al.
We report on sensing characteristics of the rocking filter fabricated in specially designed microstructured fiber with enhanced sensitivity to hydrostatic pressure. The filter shows a very high sensitivity to pressure ranging from 16.2 to 32.2 nm/MPa, depending on the resonance order. Extremely low cross-sensitivity between pressure and temperature 27÷66×103 K/MPa has also been recorded and therefore the rocking filter can be used for pressure measurements with mbar resolution with no need for temperature compensation.
All-fiber acceleration sensor with temperature self-compensation
An all-fiber accelerometer with temperature self-compensation based on Fabry-Pérot interferometer (FPI) and simple-supported beam is proposed, where the two reflectors are the joint face between single mode fiber (SMF) and hollow core fiber and the end face of the micro fiber used as vibration beam, respectively. The temperature effect could be compensated by choosing proper material for the beam because it is movable in the FPI cavity. When the beam length composed of SMF is 6 cm and the mass block is ~1.3218×10-7 Kg, the acceleration sensitivity is ~0.35 V/g and the temperature sensitivity is less than 1pm/°C;.
Micro- and Nano-structured Fiber Sensors I
icon_mobile_dropdown
Temperature compensated, humidity insensitive, high-Tg TOPAS FBGs for accelerometers and microphones
A. Stefani, W. Yuan, C. Markos, et al.
In this paper we present our latest work on Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBGs) in microstructured polymer optical fibers (mPOFs) and their application as strain sensing transducers in devices, such as accelerometers and microphones. We demonstrate how the cross-sensitivity of the FBG to temperature is eliminated by using dual-FBG technology and how mPOFs fabricated from different grades of TOPAS with glass transition temperatures around 135°C potentially allow high-temperature humidity insensitive operation. The results bring the mPOF FBG closer to being a viable technology for commercial applications requiring high sensitivity due to the low Young's Modulus of polymer.
Temperature-independent pressure sensor using triangular-shape of suspended-core fiber
M. I. Zibaii, S. Nouri, J. Sadeghi, et al.
In this work, fiber in-line Mach-Zehnder Interferometer (MZI) based on triangular-shape suspended core fibers (SCFs) is investigated. The sensitivity of the sensing head was determined for pressure and temperature, respectively. The sensitivities are 0.4 pm/psi and 13 pm/psi for longitudinal and radial pressure, respectively. The sensing head was also subjected to temperature and presented very low sensitivity.
Discrimination of chemical vapor and temperature effects by using a polarization-maintaining photonic crystal fiber interferometer
Naram Jun, Hyun-Joo Kim, Sang Bae Lee, et al.
A reflection-type interferometer based on a polarization-maintaining photonic crystal fiber (PM-PCF) is investigated for simultaneous measurement of chemical vapor and temperature. The PM-PCF with a length of 2.6 cm is fusion-spliced to standard single-mode fiber and airholes of the PM-PCF are fully collapsed allowing the excitation of different core and cladding modes in the PM-PCF corresponding to two orthogonal polarization modes. Since airholes at the end of the PM-PCF interferometer are left open, a chemical vapor can be infiltrated into the voids. Different sensitivities corresponding to input polarization states are utilized for discrimination between chemical vapor and temperature effects.
Femtosecond laser microstructuring through optical fibre end faces: inscription of surface gratings and sub-surface splitters
Graham C. B. Lee, Kyriacos Kalli, Charalambos Koutsides, et al.
We present the results of femtosecond laser microstructuring of optical fibres by direct access of the fibre end face, both at the surface and several hundred microns into the fibre, to realise one- and two-dimensional grating structures and optical fibre splitters, respectively. We show the versatility of this simple but effective inscription method, where we demonstrate classic multiple slit diffraction patterns and show the potential for coarse wavelength division multiplexing for sensor signals. A key advantage for the fibre splitter is that the inscription method avoids the use of oil immersion that compensate for the fibre curvature in the standard side writing method.
Compact optical microfiber components based on small size piezoelectric ceramic transducer
Xueliang Zhang, George Chen, Zhangqi Song, et al.
Optical microfibers have attracted much attention in recent years due to its physical flexibility and low bending loss, which enables the possibility to make compact active optical components when combined with small-size piezoelectric ceramic transducers. Here, we present the demonstration of OM embedded in low refractive index polymer wound around a piezoceramic rod of 1 mm diameter and 6 mm length as a compact optical phase modulator, which showed a frequency response up to 1 MHz. We also report the fabrication of a compact tunable optical resonator from a 3 mm diameter, 1 mm thick piezoceramic disc with a 50 pm shift when 600 V is applied across its electrodes.
Distributed Sensing I
icon_mobile_dropdown
Fast and distributed Brillouin time domain analysis of optical fibers
Yair Peled, Avi Motil, Lior Yaron, et al.
We present two recently developed new methods for fast and distributed strain/temperature sensing in optical fibers, based on Brillouin optical time domain analysis (BOTDA). Both methods make use of very fast (<1ns) and controlled tuning of the optical frequency of a light wave. In the Fast BOTDA (F-BOTDA) method the complete Brillouin gain spectrum is scanned, while in the Slope-Assisted technique (SA-BOTDA) only a single frequency point on the slope of the Brillouin gain spectrum is probed. A sensing speed of a few hundred Hz is experimentally demonstrated, limited only by the fiber length and the need for averaging.
Signal-to-noise ratio improvement in Brillouin optical correlation domain analysis combining Brillouin gain and loss effects
A novel scheme is proposed to measure Brillouin gain spectrum in an optical fiber combining Brillouin gain and loss effects. A dual-parallel Mach-Zehnder modulator is used to generate upshifted afterward downshifted single sideband with suppressed carrier by periodically chopping the dc bias. The two successive single sidebands serve as Brillouin pump and probe waves to amplify and absorb the carrier wave for lock-in detecting of the net Brillouin gain between Brillouin gain and loss effects. The signal-to-noise ratio of the cost-effective measurement system with fewer optical devices is twofold enhanced. Distributed strain sensing ability with a nominal spatial resolution of 1.6 cm is experimentally demonstrated by utilization of this scheme into a Brillouin optical correlation domain analysis system.
High-spatial-resolution distributed vibration measurement using time-resolved optical frequency-domain reflectometry
A high-spatial-resolution distributed optical fiber vibration sensor is demonstrated. The distributed dynamic strain or vibration information can be obtained using time-resolved optical frequency-domain reflectometry (OFDR). Time-domain information is resolved by measuring Rayleigh backscatter spectrum in different wavelength ranges which fall in successive time sequence due to the linear wavelength sweep of the tunable laser source with a constant sweeping rate. This time-resolved local Rayleigh backscatter spectrum shift of the vibrated state with respect to that of the non-vibrated state along the fiber length provides dynamic strain information in a distributed manner. The measurable frequency range of 0-32 Hz with the spatial resolution of 10 cm can be achieved
High-resolution Brillouin fiber sensing using random phase coding of the pump and probe waves
Yair Antman, Nikolay Primerov, Luc Thévenaz, et al.
Distributed temperature measurements with 1.2 cm resolution based on stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) in standard fibers are reported. High resolution is achieved by phase-coding both pump and probe waves with a high-rate, pseudo-random binary phase code. The SBS interaction is effectively confined to narrow correlation peaks. The separation between adjacent peaks, signifying the unambiguous measurement range, scales with the length of the modulation code and can therefore be made arbitrarily long. Measurements were performed over 40 meters of fiber, or 3300 resolution points. The technique is applicable to distributed measurements of birefringence and Brillouin frequency shift over polarization maintaining fibers.
100km BOTDA temperature sensor with sub-meter resolution
Xabier Angulo-Vinuesa, Sonia Martin-Lopez, Pedro Corredera, et al.
Temperature or strain sensing in long-range (> 70 km) Brillouin Optical Time Domain Analysis (BOTDA) below 2 meter resolution cannot be trivially achieved due to numerous matters such as fiber attenuation, self-phase modulation, depletion, resolution-uncertainty trade-offs, etc. In this paper we show that combining Raman assistance and the Differential Pulse-width Pair (DPP) technique sub-metrical resolution is achievable in a BOTDA over 100 km sensing range. We successfully demonstrate the detection of a 0.5 meter hot-spot in the position of worst contrast along the fiber.
Physical and Mechanical Sensors II
icon_mobile_dropdown
Multiphase flow characterization using optical fiber Bragg gratings
Optical fiber Bragg grating strain sensors are used to characterize the multiphase flow of water and air in a laboratory test bed. The load applied by the fluid flow on the fiber gratings is the underlying mechanism of the sensor and different flow conditions with distinct void fractions and flow rates were investigated. The optical fiber sensors performance was compared against that of a wire-mesh system which is conventionally used as a reference high performance measurement tool for multiphase flow. Results are in good agreement showing the potential of the technique.
Remote laser-driven solar cell power sources for sensors and devices via kilometer-long optical fibres
J. Canning, L. Vaughan, K. Cook
The use of solar cells to drive sensors with optical pumping using readily available laser sources over kilometer lengths is proposed. A simple evaluation finds near IR transmission around 1000-1070 nm is optimal. As proof of principle, we demonstrate a simple humidity sensor powered by solar cell through a 2 km optical fibre link using the 1057 nm output of a Nd:YLF solid state laser.
Distributed birefringence measurement of a polarization maintaining fiber with a 20cm resolution over a 500m range based on Brillouin dynamic grating
Yongkang Dong, Hongying Zhang, Zhiwei Lu, et al.
We demonstrate a distributed birefringence measurement of a polarization-maintaining fiber with a 20 cm resolution over a 500 m fiber based on Brillouin dynamic grating with the scheme including a CW pump1, a 20 ns square pump2 pulse, and a 2 ns square probe pulse. The measurement results show ~ 3% fluctuation of the birefringence over the entire 500 m fiber. We also observed the birefringence change caused by the uneven stress as winding the fiber around a spool with a spatial period of 49 cm and the residual stress during the fiber drawing and coating processes.
A fiber-tip Fabry-Perot pressure sensor with graphene diaphragm
Jun Ma, Wei Jin, Hoi Lut Ho
A miniature fiber-tip pressure sensor was built by using an extremely thin graphene film as the diaphragm. The graphene also acts as a light reflector which, in conjunction with reflection at the fiber end/air interface, forms a low fineness Fabry-Perot cavity. The graphene-based micro-cavity sensor demonstrated a pressure sensitivity of ~34.8 nm/kPa with a diaphragm diameter of ~ 25 μm, nearly two orders of magnitude higher than previously reported sensors with similar diaphragm diameters.
Micro- and Nano-structured Fiber Sensors II
icon_mobile_dropdown
In-fiber integrated optic devices for sensing applications
A brief introduction is given to the state-of-the-art of in-fiber integrated optics which includes in-fiber multi-waveguideds integration, in-fiber functional elements fabrication and in-fiber interferometers developments. The characteristics of in-fiber integrated devices are summarized and methods for their fabrication are also described. Examples of sensing are shown that it have the potential to be exploited in a variety of wide applications.
Suspended core optical fibers for biological applications using UV wavelengths
S. C. Warren-Smith, G. Nie, J. Kobelke, et al.
We have demonstrated the use of suspended core optical fibers as dip sensors for biological applications based on fluorophores operating at UV wavelengths for the first time. In this paper, we have demonstrated the use of suspended-core fibers to measure the fluorescence of 7-Amino-4-methylcoumarin (AMC), which is used as the transduction for the standard enzyme activity assay of PC6, a biomarker of women's uterine fertility. Concentrations down to 500 nM have been measured using a 2.1 μm core diameter fiber.
High-sensitivity force measurement using optical tapered fiber with optical frequency-domain reflectometry
Xiaozhen Wang, Wenhai Li, Liang Chen, et al.
Optical fiber taper is proposed to be a high-sensitivity force sensor by using high-resolution, high-sensitivity optical frequency-domain reflectometry technique. The cross-correlation wavelength shift in the uniform region of taper is related to the refractive index change of the fundamental mode. The wavelength-force sensitivity of a fiber taper is dramatically improved due to its reduced waist diameter. It was demonstrated that that a taper with a waist diameter of ~6μm has a force resolution of 6.35μN and a force sensitivity of 620.83nm/N, which is about 500 times higher than that of SMF, over its uniform taper range with a spatial resolution of 3.85mm.
Fabrication of a micro-cantilever sensor on a single mode fibre by picoseconds laser
Micro-cantilevers are one of the most popular Micro-Electronics-Mechanical-Sensor (MEMS).They've demonstrated in a number of application areas such as chemical and bio-sensing. However, these devices usually need the alignment of the cantilever with the read-out system, which can be challenging. Furthermore, it involves a bulky free-space optical detection system. In this paper, we propose techniques to design and fabricate micro-cantilevers onto the end of standard single mode fibres using a picoseconds (ps) laser machining technique. In this way the cantilever can be aligned with the core of the fibre therefore offering stable and accurate means of optically addressing the cantilever. Low-cost optical sources and fibre coupled spectrometers are employed to interrogate the final cavity with a resolution around 15nm. Experiment show this optical fibre cantilever can be used as a displacement sensor with a dynamic range up to 7μm. Proof-of-concept experiments demonstrate that the cantilever could also be used as a temperature sensor in the range of 24-320°C with a temperature sensitivity of 0.5°C.
Lab on fiber technology: towards multifunctional optical nanosensors
A. Crescitelli, A. Ricciardi, M. Consales, et al.
We introduce a reliable fabrication process enabling the integration of dielectric and metallic nanostructures on the tip of optical fibers. It involves conventional deposition and nanopatterning techniques typically used for planar devices, but here adapted to directly operate on optical fiber tip. Following this approach, we demonstrate a first technological platform based on the integration, onto the optical fiber tip, of two-dimensional (2D) hybrid metallo-dielectric nanostructures supporting localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPR), that can be efficiently used for label free chemical and biological sensing and as a microphone for acoustic wave detection.
Slow and Fast Light, and Other Emerging Technologies
icon_mobile_dropdown
A brillouin fast light fiber laser sensor
We present and theoretically study a superluminal fiber laser based super-sensor utilizing Brillouin gain. The white light cavity condition is attained by introducing a phase shift component comprising an additional cavity into the main cavity. By properly controlling the parameters of the laser cavity and those of the phase component it is possible to attain sensitivity enhancement of many orders of magnitude compared to that of conventional laser sensors. The tradeoffs between the attainable sensitivity enhancement, the cavity dimensions and cavity roundtrip loss are studied in details, providing a set of design rules for the optimization of the super-sensor.
Time/frequency coding for Brillouin distributed sensors
Sébastien Le Floch, Florian Sauser, Marcelo A. Soto, et al.
In this paper, we propose a novel coding for long range Brillouin Optical Time Analysis (BOTDA) distributed sensors based on a combination of time and frequency pulses, resulting in an additional coding gain of √2 with respect to traditional intensity-modulated codes. The generation of frequency-chirped pseudo-arbitrary pulses in return-to-zero (RZ) format with a Direct-Digital Synthesizer (DDS) is presented and the coding gain is experimentally verified, perfectly matching its theoretical value.
Probing molecular absorption under slow light propagation using a photonic crystal waveguide
Isabelle Dicaire, Alfredo De Rossi, Sylvain Combrié, et al.
High-resolution infrared absorption spectroscopy of acetylene gas is demonstrated in dispersion-engineered photonic crystal waveguides under slow light propagation. Individual absorption profiles are obtained for both TE and TM polarizations for group indices ranging from 1.5 to 6.7. Experimental enhancement factors of 0.31 and 1.00 are obtained for TE and TM polarization, respectively, and are confirmed by time-domain simulations. We experimentally demonstrate that molecular absorption is a function of the electric field distribution outside the photonic crystal slab and the group index under structural slow-light illumination.
Spontaneous backscattering in Brillouin dynamic gratings
L. Yaron, Y. Peled, T. Langer, et al.
The performance of systems employing Brillouin Dynamic Gratings may suffer from noise generated by the spontaneous Brillouin processes. It is experimentally demonstrated that spontaneous emissions, accompanying the signal of interest, contain not only the probe spontaneous Brillouin backscattering but also a significant contribution from the co-propagating writing pump. For a strong enough writing pump and even moderate probe power levels, the observed noise is dominated by the pump, exhibiting an average backscattered power more than 30 dB stronger than that of the probe alone.
Smart Structures and Sensor Multiplexing
icon_mobile_dropdown
A fiber sensor network using fiber optic power supply
Yosuke Tanaka, Takashi Kurokawa
A wide-area sensor network based on fiber optic power supply is reviewed. This sensor network is composed of hundreds of sensor nodes driven by the laser power. Each sensor node produces optical signals by modulating a part of the supplied laser light and sends these signals to a monitoring station. The optical power required for driving one sensor node is less than 2 mW. Because each sensor node can control two or three sensors, a single laser diode with 1 W is sufficient for driving 1,000 sensors. The proposed sensor network can also be integrated with wireless sensors, which enables ubiquitous sensing.
Wavelength/frequency-division multiplexing of heterodyning fiber grating laser sensors with the assistance of CO2-laser treatment
In this paper, we demonstrate the implementation of a 1×10 array of heterodyning fiber grating laser sensors, pumped by a single 980 nm laser diode. The sensors are wavelength-multiplexed by inscribing fiber gratings with different periods and frequency-multiplexed in the RF domain with the assistance of CO2-laser treatment. Through the side irradiation from the CO2 laser, the intra-cavity birefringence can be significantly changed and the output frequency of the individual lasers can be continuously adjusted. The frequency range that can be achieved is as much as 1.5 GHz. As a result, the multiplexing capability of this kind of sensor is greatly improved.
Multichannel fiber optic heterodyne interferometer for the acoustic detection of partial discharges
Julio E. Posada, Jose A. Garcia-Souto, Jesus Rubio-Serrano
A multichannel interferometric system is proposed for the ultrasonic detection of partial discharges using intrinsic fiber optic sensors that may be immersed in oil. It is based on a heterodyne scheme which drives at least four sensor heads in order to localize the source of the acoustic emissions. The optoelectronic implementation and the experimental tests are presented to optimize the resolution (4 channels - 4 mrad). In addition, the results of ultrasound measurements at 150- kHz with an optical fiber sensor immersed in water in an acoustic test bench are shown, in which a resolution better than 10 Pa was obtained.
Biomedical and Chemical Sensors I
icon_mobile_dropdown
GRIN microendoscopes for high resolution in-vivo fluorescence imaging in small animals
Jun Ki Kim, Seok-Hyun Yun
Intravital imaging of small animal models is a powerful technique in basic and preclinical studies. Due to the physical size of conventional microscope optics, there is a need to carry out extensive surgery procedures so as to expose tissues of an organ during each imaging session. This limits the length of time and periodicity of each imaging session for the same animal, thus results in low experimental throughput. Advancements in micro-optics and fiber optics technology have paved way in removing such physical constraints. In this study, we fabricate high quality micro-endoscope based on graded-index lenses for carrying out minimally invasive imaging procedures in live animals.
Demonstration of a flexible, highly sensitive catheter for high resolution manometry based on in-fibre Bragg gratings
C. Bueley, P. Wild
This work presents a fibre optic-based flexible catheter for high resolution manometry, with sensing pods located at a pitch of 10 mm and an overall diameter of 2.8 mm. In-fiber Bragg gratings act as the sensing elements within these sensing pods. Absent in each sensing pod are rigid anchor points representing a novel departure from comparable designs and resulting in increased sensitivity and decoupling from axial loading. A pressure sensitivity of 1.8 pm/mmHg and axial sensitivity of 11 mmHg/N of applied load is demonstrated. Crosstalk between individual sensors is characterized and a compensation scheme is developed and validated.
A refractive index sensor based on near-surface-core fiber
Xiaozhong Tian, Chunying Guan, Hailong Wu, et al.
A Michelson interferometer based on near-surface-core fibers (NSCF) was demonstrated and applied to measure the refractive index (RI) of NaCl solution. The reference arm and the sensing arm of the interferometer are constituted by a single mode fiber and a chemical-etching near-surface-core fiber, respectively. Two different samples were tested. The wavelength shift of the interference spectrum with the variation of the environmental refractive index was investigated. The results show that the proposed sensor has a measurement resolution up to 120nm/RIU in the range of 1.333-1.3684. Furthermore, the resolution can be increased by adjusting the parameters of the NSCF reasonably.
Refractive index sensing measurement based on periodically tapered small core singlemode fibre
Pengfei Wang, Gilberto Brambilla, Ming Ding, et al.
An all-fibre refractive index sensor with a simple periodical tapers configuration is proposed and investigated experimentally. The proposed fibre refractive index sensor consists of a small core singlemode fibre with tapers periodically fabricated along the fibre using a focused CO2 laser beam, and sandwiched between two standard singlemode fibres. Such a structure can be used for sensing of refractive index by measuring the dip wavelength shift of the multimode interference within the small core fibre cladding. A minimum sensitivity of 125 nm/RIU is measured for a refractive index of 1.33 and a maximum sensitivity of 383 nm/RIU for a refractive index of 1.38. The proposed refractive index sensor benefits from simplicity and low-cost and achieves a competitive sensitivity compared with other fibre-optic sensors.
Detection of molecular oxygen by magnetic field interaction with guided light within an optical fiber
Florian V. Englich, Tanya M. Monro
We report a novel fiber-optic sensing architecture for the detection of paramagnetic gases that exploits the interaction of a magnetic field with guided light to detect an active gaseous medium within a hollow-core photonic bandgap fiber. This first demonstration of a fiber-based Faraday Rotation Spectroscopy (FRS) sensor operates at 762.309 nm for the detection of molecular oxygen. The optical fiber sensor has a 14.8 cm long sensing region and 4.2 nL detection volume. A measured FRS spectrum with a signal-to-noise ratio of 9.5 proves the principle of this new gas sensor architecture.
Biomedical and Chemical Sensors II
icon_mobile_dropdown
Optical coherence elastography: Strain imaging in tissue using optical coherence tomography
Brendan F. Kennedy, Kelsey M. Kennedy, Chris Ford, et al.
Optical coherence elastography (OCE) is a strain imaging technique that characterizes the elastic properties of tissues with microscopic resolution in three dimensions. In OCE, the displacement introduced to tissue by mechanical excitation is measured using optical coherence tomography. The local strain is calculated from the spatial derivative of displacement to generate strain images, known as elastograms. To validate elastograms, we compare them to a finite element analysis model of sample deformation. We also present preliminary OCE measurements performed on excised human breast tissue, and demonstrate discrimination of tissue types based on their elastic properties.
High-speed measurement of refractive index using dielectric multilayer films deposited on optical fiber end
Kyung-Su Kim, Yosuke Mizuno, Kentaro Nakamura
We have recently developed a refractive index (RI) sensor using a band-pass filter (BPF) composed of dielectric multilayer films deposited on an optical fiber end. An optical spectrum analyzer was, however, conventionally employed in this sensor to obtain the reflection wavelength, which limited the total measurement speed due to its second-order sweep time. In this study, we enhance its measurement speed by use of a high-speed demodulator where the optical wavelength information is converted into electrical voltage using the linear slopes of the reflection spectra. The response time of the sensor, which is influenced by the dynamic behavior of the sample liquid, is found to be as short as several tens of micro-seconds. We also compare its RI sensitivity with that of a simple Fresnel-based RI sensor.
Analysis of fiber-optic probes using graded-index fiber microlenses with non-ideal refractive index profiles
Dirk Lorenser, Xiaojie Yang, David D. Sampson
Fiber-optic probes for sensing and imaging applications often employ sections of graded-index (GRIN) fiber to re-focus the diverging light from the delivery fiber. Such GRIN fiber microlenses possess aberrations which can cause significant distortions of the focused output beam. Using a numerical beam propagation method, we analyze the output beams resulting from index profiles that exhibit a central dip or a deviation from the ideal parabolic shape. Our method is in good agreement with experimental data and it enables the accurate simulation of fiber probes for biomedical applications using non-ideal or custom-engineered GRIN fibers with arbitrary refractive index profiles.
Development of gold nanorod-based localized surface plasmon resonance optical fiber biosensor
A localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) based optical fiber biosensor using gold nanorods has been developed. The LSPR optical fiber sensor was fabricated by immobilizing gold nanorods at the distal end of a multimode fiber. The surface of gold nanorods was further functionalized with human IgG to create a biosensor to detect anti-human IgG. The peak shift of the longitudinal plasmon wavelength of gold nanorod was monitored as a function of the refractive index change. The results show that refractive index sensitivity of this sensor is 506 nm/RIU, and the limit of detection for antihuman IgG is 3 nM.
Microfluidic chip for spectroscopic and refractometric analysis
A. R. Ribeiro, I. Martinho, J. B. Tillak, et al.
In this paper an optofluidic chip for simultaneous determination of refractive index and acquisition of absorption or fluorescent spectra is described. The system comprises a microfluidic channel with multiple inlet/outlet for sample handling and a dual fiber optic probe, standing face to face across the channel, for the optical measurements. An FBG based Fabry Perot cavity, and a Braggmeter, allow for interferometric measurement of the refractive index while external illumination and a multimode fiber enable acquisition of the absorption/fluorescence spectra with a CCD spectrometer. Preliminary results showing the viability of simultaneous measurement are obtained from the characterization of mixed samples with distinct refractive index and dye concentrations.
Fiber Grating Sensors
icon_mobile_dropdown
Understanding fiber Bragg gratings at harmonics of the Bragg wavelength through spectra and images
Stephen F. Collins, Scott A. Wade, Fotios Sidiroglou, et al.
Fiber Bragg gratings written using a phase-mask exhibit a complex refractive index pattern in the fiber core, as observed in differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy. This results in dual periodicities along the fiber core and gratings at both the Bragg wavelength, twice the Bragg wavelength, and the harmonics of these. Features in grating spectra arise from one or both of these periodicities and spectra for twice the Bragg wavelength (or its odd harmonics) are very sensitive to the details of how the UV complex diffraction field of the phase mask becomes imprinted as refractive index changes in the fiber core.
Nanodiamond coated Bragg gratings for sensing applications
N. J. Alberto, J. A. Santos, C. A. F. Marques, et al.
In this paper, the coating of optical Bragg gratings with nanocrystalline diamond, obtained by hot filament chemical vapor deposition (HFCVD), is described. Due to the high temperature coating process, uniform fiber Bragg gratings (FBG) were erased during the diamond deposition. However, in the case of regenerated fiber Bragg gratings (RFBG), although attenuated, the optical signal is maintained. The results of the thermal and mechanical characterization of diamond coated RFBG (D-RFBG) suggest that they may be an important tool in the sensing field, including monitoring of high temperatures under harsh environments.
Hybrid BOTDA/FBG sensor for discrete dynamic and distributed static strain/temperature measurements
We propose and experimentally demonstrate a hybrid fiber optic sensing technique that effectively combines Brillouin optical time-domain analysis and a time-domain multiplexing interrogation technique for Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBGs). The highly-integrated proposed scheme employs broadband apodized low-reflectivity FBGs with a single optical source and a shared receiver block, allowing for simultaneous measurements of distributed static and discrete dynamic temperature and strain, over the same sensing fiber.
Two-dimensional fiber-optic vector vibroscope using only one multi-mode tilted fiber grating
Tuan Guo, Yang Ran, Yannan Tan, et al.
Orientation-recognized two-dimensional vibration sensor based on a polarization-controlled cladding-to-core recoupling is demonstrated experimentally. A compact structure in which a short section of multi-mode fiber stub containing a weakly tilted fiber Bragg grating (TFBG) is spliced to another single-mode fiber without any lateral offset. Several well defined lower-order cladding resonances in reflection show different polarization dependence due to the tilted grating vector excitation. Both orientation and amplitude of the vibration can be determined unambiguously via dual-path power detection of the orthogonal-polarimetric odd-cladding-modes. Meanwhile, the unwanted power fluctuations and temperature perturbations can be definitely removed via core mode monitoring.
Multiplexed regenerated Fiber Bragg Gratings for high temperature measurement
High temperature gradient of a conventional tubular furnace is characterized using a single fiber sensing line with wavelength-multiplexed short-length regenerated Fiber Bragg Gratings. The multiplexed gratings are simultaneously regenerated using a high temperature annealing process. Temperature calibration from ambient temperature up to 850°C is conducted leading to a standard deviation of 0.33°C after polynomial fitting of the wavelength shift with temperature.
Distributed Sensing II
icon_mobile_dropdown
Double-pulse Brillouin distributed optical fiber sensors: analytical model and experimental validation
An analytical model is presented to describe the behavior of the acoustic wave, probe signal and Brillouin gain in double-pulse Brillouin optical time-domain analysis (DP-BOTDA) sensors. The proposed model is a tool that provides a full physical insight into the Brillouin interaction occurring in this double-pulse configuration, and allows the optimization and complete analysis of the system. The proposed solution is experimentally validated in a long-range system, which is optimized to demonstrate experimentally, for the first time, the capability of DP-BOTDA to achieve a 11 km sensing distance with 20 cm spatial resolution and a frequency resolution of 0.5 MHz.
Dynamic BOTDA measurements using Brillouin phase-shift
Javier Urricelqui, Ander Zornoza, Mikel Sagues, et al.
We demonstrate a novel dynamic BOTDA sensor based, for the first time to our knowledge, on the use of the Brillouin phase-shift instead of the conventional Brillouin gain. This provides the advantage of measurements that are largely immune to variations in fiber attenuation or changes in pump pulse power. Furthermore, the optical detection deployed can lead to an enhanced precision or measurement time and to the broadening of the measurement range. Proof-of-concept experiments demonstrate 1.66 kHz measurement rate with 1-m resolution over a 160-m sensing fiber length.
High sensitivity optical time-domain reflectometry based on Brillouin dynamic grating in polarization maintaining fiber
Kwang Yong Song, Hyuk Jin Yoon
We newly propose and experimentally demonstrate high-sensitivity optical time-domain reflectometry based on Brillouin dynamic grating in polarization maintaining fiber. Distributed measurements with strain sensitivity as high as ~ 1 MHz/με is demonstrated in a 110 m fiber under test with 0.8 m spatial resolution. The operation principle with the condition for proper measurement of the grating spectrum and the advantageous features such as low operating power, high signal to noise ratio, and simple data-acquisition process are explained in comparison with ordinary Brillouin optical time-domain reflectometry, which is verified by the experimental results.
Towards fully distributed amplification and high-performance long-range distributed sensing based on random fiber laser
Xin-Hong Jia, Yun-Jiang Rao, Zi-Nan Wang, et al.
The random distributed feedback fiber laser (RDFB-FL), firstly proposed and demonstrated by S. K. Turitsyn et al., has been designated as the significant breakthrough in the fields of laser physics and nonlinear optics. In this paper, the fully distributed Raman amplification approach, based on the novel concept of RDFB-FL, is proposed and presented for the first time. As a typical proof-of-concept, the high-performance distributed sensing with ±1°C temperature accuracy and ±2m spatial resolution, over entire 122km long-range Brillouin optical time-domain analyzer (BOTDA), has been demonstrated using the fully distributed second-order Raman amplification based on RDFB-FL proposed. The experimental results confirmed its unique ultra-low noise performance for the proposed distributed amplification. We believe it's the best sensing result for such a length of BOTDA so far. The underlined physical mechanisms associated with its quasi-lossless transmission and partial coherence characteristics, are also presented, in order to account for this much attractive feature.
Synthesis of optical coherence function to sweep the 0th peak by phase modulation
Kentaro Mori, Koji Kajiwara, Masato Kishi, et al.
We propose a method to shift whole the shape of synthesized optical coherence function along an optical path by phase modulation. We can synthesize periodical delta function type optical coherence peaks by frequency modulation of a light source to realize distributed measurement of back-scattering and/or reflections along an optical fiber by sweeping the coherence peak as measurement window. In this study, we propose and demonstrate a method to synthesize and sweep the 0th coherence peak by phase modulation with the same waveform as that for the laser frequency modulation. Basic experiments of optical reflectometry are successfully demonstrated with the proposed method.
Interference-fading-free phase-demodulated OTDR system
Zhengqing Pan, Kezhen Liang, Jun Zhou, et al.
A phase-shifted double pulse method is proposed to reduce the influence of inner-pulse interference induced fading on phase demodulation of the Φ-OTDR. The feasibility of the technique is experimentally verified and the measurement resolution of the Φ-OTDR is minimized to as low as 0.1rad by using this technique. The experimental system demonstrates a distributed phase monitoring capability over 4km range with SNR of >20 and detection bandwidth of >360Hz.
Sensor Application and Field Tests
icon_mobile_dropdown
Smart technical textiles based on fibre optic sensors
Katerina Krebber, Sascha Liehr, Jens Witt
Smart technical textiles containing fiber optic sensors have been developed and successfully demonstrated for the purposes of the structural health monitoring in geotechnical and civil engineering as well as for healthcare monitoring in the medical sector. The paper highlights the results achieved in this innovative field in the framework of several German and European projects and shows selected examples of using such fiber-sensor-based technical textiles in different geotechnical and medical applications.
Field test of an in-well fiber laser geophone array
Wentao Zhang, Fang Li, Yuliang Liu
In this paper, we report the field test of a fiber laser geophone array. The field test is performed in a 3000 m depth well in Liaohe Oil Field in northeast China. There are eight fiber laser geophones in the array with a space of ten meters. The test results show good performance and reliability of the fiber laser geophone. This fiber laser seismic system is promising in the in-well VSP system.
Region selectable gas sensing for long distance pipeline maintenance
Mifang Lu, Koji Nonaka, Hirokazu Kobayashi, et al.
We propose a region selectable gas sensing system, which can address gases of single and/or different species at multilocations. This technique is based on optical spectroscopy of each selected numerous absorption lines of gas. Primary experiment using fiber-optic absorption sensors, sensing regions and region selectors are demonstrated. Specific FBGs are employed to reflect the selected spectrum for each sensing region. FBG monitor what encloses the tunable light source and spectrum analyzer works as selected gas and region absorptions measurement. Absorption ratio was estimated which indicates that the technique is applicable in lightweight fiber optic wide-regions gas sensing.
Distributed strain and load monitoring of 6 m composite wing structure by FBG arrays and long-length FBGs
Hideaki Murayama, Kazuki Tachibana, Yoshiyasu Hirano, et al.
We equipped a composite wing structure fiber Bragg grating (FBG) arrays including 246 FBGs with 10 mm gauge length, eight and six long-length FBGs with 300 mm and 500 mm, respectively. The length of the wing was 6 m and it was made of carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP). The sensing system based on optical frequency domain reflectometry (OFDR) was used in a series of load tests. The measured results by FBG arrays showed the overall deformation of the wing and good agreement with analysis results. Additionally, strain distributions of stress concentration zones were successfully measured by long-length FBGs.
Development of a discriminating fibre optic sensing array for wireless real time analysis of the maritime environment
Eoin O'Connell, Michael Healy, Sinead O'Keeffe, et al.
In order to satisfy increasingly stringent maritime pollution control laws, it is necessary to develop sensors that are capable of quantifying exactly the pollutants entering the marine environment. The development of an optical fibre based sensor array suitable for the detection of known pollutants is discussed in this paper. The system being presented will demonstrate how the incorporation of a novel fibre optic based sensor, with the ability to detect minute changes of impurity in a liquid can be used on a Mote based platform in a real-time monitoring scenario and all for a relatively low cost. [1]
Temperature sensing in a 175MW power generator
Cicero Martelli, Erlon Vagner da Silva, Kleiton de Morais Souza, et al.
The surface temperature of a high power generator stator in operation at a hydroelectric power plant is measured using fiber Bragg grating sensors. Insulation breakdown due to high voltage is a major problem in large electric generators and very hard to detect at early stages. Giving the high temperatures that raise from this process the insulation degradation can be detected as function of temperature. Fiber Bragg grating temperature sensors appear is a promising technology since they can easily be embedded into the insulation with no harm for the generator.
Hybrid Brillouin-Rayleigh distributed sensing system
Kinzo Kishida, C. H. Li, Ken'ichi Nishiguchi, et al.
The paper deals with the design and principles of the hybrid Brillouin-Rayleigh sensing system. The system is capable of separating strain and temperature values in single SM fiber and offers spatial resolution as high as 2 cm. Furthermore, the paper introduces a method to determine required separation coefficients for optical fiber cables. Finally, it presents several validation examples and results of industrial applications.
Poster Session 1: Physical, Mechanical, Electromagnetic, and Fiber Grating
icon_mobile_dropdown
Development of an optical fiber transducer applied to the measurement of finger movements
Eric Fujiwara, Yu Tzu Wu, Murilo F. M. Santos, et al.
A flexible and low-cost optical fiber transducer based on light attenuation by microbending was designed for the measurement of angular displacements. The transducer was tested for predetermined rotations, presenting a higher sensitivity for angles >10° by spacing the periodicity of the deformers by 2 mm. In addition, the performance on the measurement of angles <10° was also enhanced by the specklegram analysis, yielding to a linear response. Furthermore, the glove-mounted sensor was applied on the detection of the proximal interphalangeal joint, by performing the calibration by artificial neural networks, resulting in calculated angle values compatible to the nominal ones.
Monitoring drying process of acrylic varnish with heterogeneous optical sensor
Fernando A. M. Saccon, Fernanda M. D. R. de Oliveira, Marcia Muller, et al.
This work shows the application of a heterogeneous sensor system based on fiber Bragg gratings and optical coherence tomography to monitor the drying process of a commercial water-based acrylic varnish. The varnish mechanical deformation, thickness, and average refractive index developed in the process were monitored along 24 hours for a film with approximately 430 μm of initial thickness, allowing identification of distinct time behaviors. Tomographic images exhibited refractive index discontinuities along the total film thickness indicating the development not uniform and concurrent through the whole material volume of the processes involved in the drying kinetics.
Intrinsic, multiplexable sensors for electric field strength using structural slow light in phase-shifted fibre Bragg gratings
Philip Orr, Paweł Niewczas
In this paper we demonstrate through simulation the potential for phase-shifted fibre Bragg gratings incorporating structural slow light to enable intrinsic reflection-mode point sensors for electric field or voltage. It is shown that lo-bi FBGs incorporating multiple phase shifts yield large enhancements in group index (group delay) at resonance, thus amplifying and localizing time-dependent non-reciprocal effects. A relative, multiplexable measurement of electric field by comparison of the phase unbalance between linear modes on and off resonance is proposed, yielding static resolutions of 24 V and 18 mV respectively in unpoled (dc Kerr effect) and poled (Pockels effect) fibres.
Multiplexing tapered optical fibres using coherent optical frequency domain reflectometry
Renata Jarzebinska, Edmon Chehura, Stephen W. James, et al.
Coherent optical frequency domain reflectometry is used to multiplex a serial array of tapered optical fibre sensors. By monitoring changes in the Rayleigh backscattered signal from tapered regions of a single mode optical fibre, the refractive index of the medium surrounding each taper can be determined. The approach is used to demonstrate a liquid flow sensor.
High pressure discrimination based on optical fiber microsphere cavity Fizeau interferometer
O. R. Ranjbar, M. I. Zibaii, S. Nouri, et al.
Ahigh pressure sensor based on an optical fiber micro sphere cavity Fizeau interferometer (MSC-FI) is presented in this paper.The sensorwas fabricated by use of a fusion splicer. The achieved pressure sensitivity of MSC-FI sensor was in the range of 500 to 7000pi to be 4×10-4 nm/psi. With a 10 pm resolution for the wavelength shift detection, the resolution of the device at room temperature for pressure measurement is to be 25 psi. This sensor can be used as a high pressure sensor in downhole application.
Design and fabrication of SU-8 MEMS electrostatically tunable optical Fabry-Perot cavity based on photolithography technique
L. Mehrvar, S. Nouri, M. Taghavi, et al.
In this paper, we report a design and fabrication of MEMS electrostatically tunable Fabry-Perot (METFP) cavity sensor. The mirror of METFP sensor is fabricated by SU-8 photoresist for the first time. The sensor is the combination of optical fiber and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technologies. The voltage sensitivity of METFP is 0.036 nm/V and the resolution of voltage measurement is 0.277 V.
Varifocal imaging using an ultrasonic optical lens with viscoelastic material
Varifocal imaging using an optical lens that employs acoustic radiation force and a viscoelastic material and that has no mechanical moving parts is investigated. The lens has a simple and thin structure that consists of an annular ultrasonic transducer and silicone gel. An axially symmetric acoustic standing wave can be generated in the gel by exciting a vibration mode in the radial direction on the transducer. The lens profile can be altered by varying the acoustic radiation force of the transducer. The focal length can be controlled by varying the transducer input voltage so that the lens functions as a variable-focus lens.
Polarization-dependent bending sensor with temperature insensitivity
Oh-Jang Kwon, Hyun-Joo Kim, Jeehyun Kim, et al.
We propose the temperature-insensitive bending sensor based on a hole-assisted single polarization fiber (SPF). Without fiber grating structures, the SPF-based sensing probe can provide the sensing technique to measure the bending change. If bending is applied to the SPF, two cutoff wavelengths are shifted to shorter wavelengths and the transmission power is diminished because the structural deformation of the SPF induced by bending changes birefringence depending on principle axes of the SPF. However, the applied temperature variation has no effect on the birefringence change severely and two cutoff wavelengths are not shifted by changing temperature. Therefore, the proposed SPF-based sensing probe with temperature insensitivity can measure the bending change effectively.
Compact and high sensitivity curvature sensor based on twin core fiber coupler
Guolu Yin, Shuqin Lou, Hui Zou
A compact and high sensitivity curvature sensor based on twin core fiber (TCF) coupler is proposed and demonstrated experimentally in the curvature range from 0 to 9.30 m-1. The TCF coupler is formed by splicing a section of 86.85 mm TCF between two single mode fibers (SMFs). A nonlinear blue-shift of the wavelength was observed when increasing the curvature. In the range from 3 m-1 to 9.30 m-1, the minimum and maximum sensitivity are - 2.5 nm/m-1 and - 14.7 nm/m-1, respectively. The dynamic range can be tailored by proper selection of the TCF length and the resonance dips.
Highly sensitive hydrostatic-pressure measurement with a fiber grating laser embedded in a composite structure
Zhan Quan, Long Jin, Yong-Liang Chang, et al.
We present a high-sensitivity hydrostatic pressure sensor based on a dual-polarization fiber grating laser. To enhance the sensitivity, the laser is embedded in a composite structure to effectively convert the pressure into intra-cavity birefringence. The measurement is carried out by monitoring the beat frequency between the two orthogonal polarization laser modes. The pressure sensitivity reaches 0.17 GHz/MPa within the range 0 to 10 MPa, about one hundred times higher than the bare laser, and the minimal detectable pressure change is as small as 10 kPa.
A double-fiber F-P displacement sensor based on direct phase demodulation
To overcome the accuracy limits of fringe counting method for a F-P interferometer and the complexity of a higher resolution demodulation system such as phase generated carrier (PGC), where a residual amplitude modulation always exists in frequency modulation, this paper presents a fiber F-P displacement sensor based on double-interferometer phase demodulation, which eliminates the modulation of lightsource. Comparing to the reported double-fiber F-P structure, our design has no strict requirement for a specific phase difference between the two optical paths. Experimental results demonstrate a good linearity of 1.1% and a resolution of ±3 μm within a measuring range of 0-0.5 mm.
A curvature sensor using a novel side-leakage photonic crystal fiber based Sagnac interferometer
Shuqin Lou, Xinzhi Sheng, Liwen Wang, et al.
A novel side-leakage PCF with high birefringence is designed and fabricated by introducing a linear side-leakage region into both sides of the elliptical Ge-doped core. A curvature sensor using the homemade side-leakage PCF based Sagnac interferometer is proposed and demonstrated experimentally. Experimental result shows that a high bending sensitivity of 10.798nm/m-1 can be achieved when the linear side-leakage region is in the vertical with the direction of curvature. With the measuring matrix obtained from sensor's sensitivity matrix by measuring the wavelength shifts of two dip in the transmission spectrum, this sensor can also realize simultaneous measurement of curvature and temperature.
Characterization of longitudinal acoustic waves in a fiber using an extrinsic Fabry-Perot interferometer
Longitudinal acoustical modes propagating in a fiber are characterized using an extrinsic Fabry-Perot interferometer. The method allows the detection of the fiber axial deflection peaks which correspond to the acoustic resonances. The method can be further used for estimating properties of acoustic excited fibers, such as acoustic frequency and wavelength, which are essential in the design of acousto-optic devices employing Bragg gratings.
Optical electric-field sensor using single β-BaB2O4 crystal
Rong Zeng, Xiaoli Shen, Changsheng Li, et al.
A novel optical electric-field sensor is proposed and experimentally investigated by using single beta barium borate (β- BaB2O4, BBO) crystal. The optical sensing unit is only composed of single BBO crystal and two polarizers, the π/2 optical bias is provided by natural birefringence of the BBO crystal itself. Advantages of the BBO crystal over previous lithium niobate crystal used as electric-field sensor mainly include larger measurement sensitivity and no ferroelectric ringing effect. The 50Hz ac and lighting impulse electric fields in the range of (10~400)kV/m have been measured in experiment with good linearity and fast response.
Temperature sensor based on fiber optic pyrometer in material removal processes
A. Tapetado, C. Vázquez, X. Soldani, et al.
In this work, different non-contact fiber-optic pyrometers have been developed for measuring localized temperatures on material removal area during mechanizing processes. Designs are developed for adaptation to the harsh measuring conditions on specific cutting tool machinery and using commercial optoelectronics and fiber-optic components for resolution enhancement. A 0.1 dB/°C sensitivity at 300 °C is obtained, and calibration curves at 1100 nm, 1300 nm, 1550 nm and 1610 nm are reported. Different reception circuits are used for testing resolution limits, higher bandwidths imply greater noise and worst results as expected.
Simultaneous measurement of partial pressure of O2 and CO2 using hybrid interferometer
Paula A. R. Tafulo, L. Coelho, P. A. S. Jorge, et al.
In this work, a hybrid interferometer for simultaneous measurement of the partial pressures of O2 and CO2 mixtures is reported. The sensing head consist in two different interferometers based on a Fabry-Perot cavity and a modal interference configuration. The intrinsic FP cavity was created by splicing a single mode fiber (SMF28) with a graded index fiber section that was then subjected to chemical etching creating a cavity. The second interferometer is based on a splice of a pure silica tube in series with the Fabry-Pérot. Due to the design, different sensitivities are achieved for the pressure inducing refractive index changes of each gas. The rms deviations were found to be ± 0.079 kPa and ± 0.029 kPa for CO2 and O2 partial pressure measurements, respectively.
Interrogation system based on "figure-of-eight" fiber loop mirror
Ricardo M. Silva, A. Layeghi, M. I. Zibaii, et al.
A theoretical and experimental study of a new fiber loop mirror based on a "figure-of-eight"configuration, is reported. For the theoretical model, the Jones matrix analysis is analyzed. The configuration is tested as an interrogation system where the spectral response arises from the combination of the reference signal modulated by the sensor signal. The configuration is characterized in mechanical strain and presents a phase sensitivity of 8.2 mrad/με.
POF vibration sensor based on speckle pattern changes
L. Rodriguez-Cobo, M. Lomer, C. Galindez, et al.
A method of sensing vibration using detection of changes in the spatial distribution of energy on the speckle pattern in the output multimode optical fiber is presented and demonstrated. The implementation of sensor consists of a small length of fiber which is isolated and sensitive to ambient vibration. The projection of the speckle pattern is directly recorded by a CCD camera at the outlet end of the fiber and processed changes in the intensity distribution. The sensor is simple, inexpensive and can be implemented to measure vibrations in engine, machines or buildings.
Ambient index sensing technique using a Sagnac interferometer incorporating a tapered polarization-maintaining fiber
Cheol-Ju Kang, Young-Geun Han
We propose a novel refractive index sensor using Sagnac loop interferometers configured by using tapered polarization-maintaining fibers (PMFs) with different tapered diameters. To make the PMF sensitive to external index change, a micro-tapering technique is exploited to fabricate the tapered PMF. The sensitivities of the PMFs to ambient index strongly depend on the tapered diameters. The reduction of the PMF diameter results in the enhancement of the ambient index sensitivity of the tapered-PMF-based Sagnac interferometer. However, the temperature sensitivities of the proposed Sagnac interferometers are not changed by reducing the tapered diameters of the PMFs.
A liquid level sensor based on fiber optic array and magnetic coupling
Wei He, Xuan Yu, Chenggang Wang, et al.
A liquid level sensor based on fiber optic array and magnetic coupling is proposed and demonstrated. Besides the inherent advantages of fiber optic sensor, this sensor has a feature of digital sensing signal since the accurate value of light intensity is not needed, so the instability of light source, connecting and bending losses of optical fiber don't affect the measurement results. Owing to its special structure and package, the sensor is insensitive to the fluctuation of liquid level and could be used for measuring the level of almost all liquids regardless of their corrosivity and transparency.
Multi-monitoring system based on erbium doped fiber ring laser for measurement of radiation dose and strain
Young Bo Shim, Hyun-Joo Kim, Younghoon Ji, et al.
We propose a sensing scheme of an erbium-doped fiber (EDF) ring laser for multi-monitoring of radiation dose and strain simultaneously. The EDF and fiber Bragg grating (FBG) are exploited as sensing probes for simultaneous measurement of radiation dose and strain. The output power and the lasing wavelength of the proposed EDF laser are changed by increasing the radiation dose and strain, respectively. The radiation and strain sensitivities were measured to be 8.4 dB/km•Gy and 0.81 pm/με, respectively.
Embedded pressure sensor based on birefringent photonic crystal fiber
Yuanhong Yang, Xing Zhang, Wei Jin, et al.
An embedded pressure sensor was made by sandwiching a polarization maintaining photonic crystal fiber (PM-PCF) between two polymer foils. The excess birefringence induced by transverse pressure applied along the slow-axis of a PM-PCF was numerically simulated with a finite element method. Experiment was carried out with a Sagnac interferometer with the embedded PM-PCF as part of the Sagnac loop. The output interference fringes were found shift linearly with applied transverse pressure with a wavelength to pressure sensitivity of 1.764 nm/MPa, The measurement precision of 0.2%, and a dynamic range of 2.5 MPa were achieved.
Measurement of tunnel-ceiling and side-wall displacements using arc-shaped beam and fiber Bragg grating sensors
Hiroshi Naruse, Shinya Furukawa, Takanori Nishino
A method is presented for measuring the displacement of a tunnel's ceiling and side walls using arc-shaped beams and fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors. The beams are installed inside the tunnel so that the displacements of the ceiling and side walls are transferred to the beams. The displacements are computed using mechanical analysis of the strains they produce on the surface of the beams. Table-top experiments demonstrated that the method is valid. This method can be used to construct a system for monitoring the displacements in tunnels with various cross-sections.
Acoustic emission detection using a fiber laser array
Wentao Zhang, Wenzhu Huang, Huaixiang Ma, et al.
In this paper we repot a novel acoustic emission detection method using a fiber laser array. The ultra-narrow line width of the DFB fiber laser will result in a low equivalent noise level when using a fiber optic interferometric demodulation. A minimum detectable strain of 10-12 is achieved in the experiment. Three fiber lasers are used in the array and the acoustic emission is detected. The result is compared with that of a piezoelectric acoustic emission sensor.
Fiber optic push-pull accelerometer based on two cantilevers
Wentao Zhang, Fang Li
In this paper a push-pull fiber optic accelerometer (FOA) is proposed. Using two cantilevers, the accelerometer operates in a push-pull configuration. The sensitivity is analyzed based on the theory of elasticity; the frequency response is analyzed based on the theory of vibration. Experiment is carried out to test the performance of the fiber optic accelerometer. The experiment results agree well with the theoretical result.
High-sensitivity PCF sensing head for strain measurement
S. Rota-Rodrigo, M. Bravo, A. M. R. Pinto, et al.
An original photonic crystal fiber based sensing head is proposed for strain measurement. The sensor comprises a Hi-Bi PCF sensing head to measure in reflection using polarimetry. A background study of the sensing head polarization state signals is conducted utilizing an optical backscatter reflectometer. Using a more accessible set up, one of the Hi-Bi PCF polarization signals is isolated allowing to accurately measure strain variations. In-reflection polarimetric strain sensing is obtained with a sensitivity of ~7.6 dB/1000μm and with the breakage point at 5500 με.
New spatial optical filters for gas refractometry
A spatial optical filter based on splice misalignment between optical fibers with different cladding dimensions is proposed for gas refractometry. The sensing head is formed by a 2 mm-long optical fiber with 50 μm diameter spliced with a strong misalignment between two single mode fibers (SMF28) and interrogated in transmission. This fiber structure causes a Fabry-Pérot-behavior along the reduced-size fiber giving at its output end a well defined spatial filtering selectivity. Depending on the misalignment position of the lead-out SMF28, it is possible to obtain two different spectral responses, namely, bandpass or band-rejection filters. It is shown that this filter device is highly sensitive to refractive index changes on a nitrogen (N2) environment by means of the gas pressure variation. A maximum sensitivity of -1390 nm/RIU for the bandpass filter was achieved.
Sensitivity characteristics of high-birefringence Sagnac interferometer sensors
Peng Zu, Chi Chiu Chan, Ziyang Liang, et al.
The sensitivity characteristics of the sensors based on high-birefringence Sagnac interferometer are theoretically analyzed and experimentally verified. We analyze the sensitivity of the sensor in terms of the frequency instead of the wavelength of the light and the sensitivity can be improved by reducing the length of high birefringence fiber. The strain sensing experiments are carried out and the experimental results agree well with the theoretical analysis.
A weak feedback effect based fiber laser sensor demodulated by a phase generated carrier scheme
Jianzhong Zhang, Zhenxing Yu, QianQian Hao, et al.
We propose a weak feedback effect based fiber laser sensor demodulated by a phase generated carrier (PGC) scheme. The weak feedback, realized by an optical fiber pigtail with a fiber end-face, couples a small part of light back to the fiber laser cavity to realize the light intensity modulation of the fiber laser. The sensor system based on the PGC demodulation scheme avoided the signal fading, caused by out of quadrature, and realizes the reliable vibration measurement.
Development of a polarimetric vibration sensor for quasi-distributed measurements
Nicolas Linze, Pierre Tihon, Olivier Verlinden, et al.
In this paper we propose a novel kind of quasi-distributed polarimetric vibration sensor. Its functioning is based on the use of mechanical transducers, which transform the mechanical vibration into a birefringence variation, and of fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs), which reflect light from different positions. As it will be shown this sensor can provide the vibration frequency in a quasi-distributed manner.
Multimode interference in tapered single mode-multimode-single mode fiber structures for strain sensing applications
Ricardo M. André, Claudecir R. Biazoli, Susana O. Silva, et al.
Tapering single mode-multimode-single mode structures to enhance sensitivity is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. 50 mm-long coreless MMF sections are spliced between SMFs and tapered. They are characterized in strain and an increase in strain sensitivity is obtained with taper diameter reduction. Sensitivities as high as -23.69 pm/με for the 15 μm taper are attained. A combination of an untapered and tapered SMS is proposed as a sensing system for the simultaneous measurement of strain and temperature.
Magnetic field sensor with Terfenol-D thin-film coated FBG
Ricardo M. Silva, G. Chesini, C. J. Gouveia, et al.
In this work a magnetic field sensor based on an FBG coated with a thin film of Terfenol-D is presented. The sensor was tested with two optical interrogation systems: one, a scanning laser system with a 1 pm resolution, and the other a differential white light interferometer (WLI). The results obtained in the magnetic field range of 20 mT to 100 mT, show the possibility of increasing the magnetic field measurement resolution, with temperature fluctuations invariance, by a factor of 4.5 when using the WLI system.
Unbalanced nulling interferometer with four-quadrant phase mask
Takuji Kobayashi, Jun Nishikawa, Yosuke Tanaka, et al.
One of the problems for direct observation of extrasolar planets is the speckle noise due to a wave-front error. Therefore, high-accuracy adaptive optics is required for realizing a wavefront quality of λ/10000 rms. An unbalanced nulling interferometer has a possibility to assist high-accuracy correction. In this paper, we propose the interferometer with a four-quadrant phase mask in which an optical path is common. By using the mask, we succeed in stabilizing the interference and taking measurements of wavefront errors with 10-times higher sensitivity. In this way, we expect to construct high-accuracy adaptive optics which is more stable.
Towed vector fiber optic sensor used in ocean seismic exploration
Wei Rao, Yongming Hu, Zhengliang Hu, et al.
In order to overcome the drawbacks of the pressure sensor in ocean seismic exploration, we try to use the towed vector fiber optic sensor (VFOS) array for the application of ocean seismic exploration. The VFOS with three fiber optic accelerometers outperforms the pressure sensor in dynamic range and quality of the reflected wave. A real VFOS array is developed and tested in Lake Trail. Results illustrate that the data from the VFOS construct more distinct stratum layers than the pressure-sensing fiber optic hydrophone.
Integration of ultralow-noise single-frequency lasers with extrinsic seismic sensors using optical transducers
Dustin W. Carr, Yong Wang
The results of high-performance seismic sensors using advanced ultralow-noise single-frequency lasers are presented. We have developed a family of vibration sensors that are based on extrinsic optical Fabry-Perot cavities, and provide many advantages compared with other types of sensors, including conventional fiber sensors and electromagnetic sensors. These novel sensors offer substantial reduction in size and cost, while still providing competitive performance. Size reduction also means an effective reduction in deployment cost, which is very important in the remote areas where seismic sensor arrays are needed.
Conventional optical fiber current measurements improved by a high accuracy artificial neural network algorithm
Antonio C. Zimmermann, Marcio Besen, Leonardo S. Encinas, et al.
This paper relies on an experiment using a conventional fiber optical current measurement system with new concept for signal processing using Artificial Neural Networks. To achieve the high accuracy results, a class 0.1% current standard was used as reference for the ANN processing. Also a large data collection was conducted to assure the high variability of the measurement process behavior, including changes in temperature and other non-linear effects. The results show 0.2% maximum error for the developed system, demonstrating the robustness and high accuracy of the proposed method, being capable of mitigate some drawbacks of FOCS system, like non-idealities compensation.
Optical bidirectional force sensor using optical planar waveguide
Myoung Jin Kim, Eun Joo Jung, Sung Hwan Hwang, et al.
We demonstrate an optical planar waveguide sensor that can be used to measure the direction and intensity of physical force. The interferometric structure, on which the proposed sensor is based, introduces an interference pattern in wavelength. Its phase is shifted by the external force. On the other hand, since the cross-sectional effective refractive index profile is asymmetric because of the core formed on one side of silica substrate, the phase shift appears with respect to the direction of the external force against the surface. Therefore, we can measure the direction and intensity of the applied force by monitoring the phase change.
Fiber optic bend and temperature sensing in femtosecond laser-structured POF
Sascha Liehr, Jörg Burgmeier, Katerina Krebber, et al.
We propose focused femtosecond laser irradiation to create stable and permanent scattering damage in large-core polymer optical fibers. Possible sensing applications using optical time domain reflectometry are discussed and presented. Experiments show that quasi-distributed fiber bend sensors and absolute temperature sensors can be realized by evaluating backscatter intensities.
The characteristics of DFB fiber laser with weak feedback
Touati Amine, Yanshuang Zhao, Jianzhong Zhang, et al.
We investigate the weak feedback effect for Distributed Feedback fiber lasers (DFB FL) experiencing Rayleigh backscattering and the reflection end facet from single mode fiber length of 200 m. We also use that configuration as a sensor scheme for acoustic and vibration measurements.
Sensitivity analysis and temperature performance of the fiber Bragg grating (FBG) acceleration sensor
Jin-Yu Wang, Hu Jie, Guang-Dong Song, et al.
A high sensitive fiber Bragg grating (FBG) acceleration sensor based on filtering demodulation is analyzed on sensitivity, resolution and temperature experiment. Sensitivity and resolution of FBG sensor lies on the structure of the sensor shell and the shape of the reflectivity spectrum of FBG. The temperature experiments of the FBG sensor show the work and storing temperature range of the sensor based on different preparing stress and packaging glue. Experiments on the detecting system's frequency character have been done. Results show that this acceleration sensor can detect the smallest acceleration of 1mm/s2 with a flat response from 5Hz to 40Hz.
Toward track component condition monitoring using optical fibre Bragg grating sensors
S. J. Buggy, S. W. James, S. Staines, et al.
Optical fibre Bragg grating sensors have been field-trialed for the monitoring of dynamic loading of fish-plates, stretcher bars and switchblades on a tram network, with the aim of developing a condition monitoring system. This paper provides preliminary data showing the ability to identify changes in track/component condition.
Design of a fiber Bragg grating sensor interrogation system using volume phase grating and CCD detection
Zhaohui Cai, Jianzhong Hao, Bo Dong, et al.
The design of a portable FBG Interrogation System is presented in this paper. By using volume holographic phase grating as the dispersion spectral element, the interrogator achieves 5 KHz scanning frequency with a readout wavelength resolution of 1 pm. The total power consumption is less than 25 W.
An integrated polarization-holding fiber polarizing grating based on side-polishing and metal film coating techniques
Lina Ma, Nuan Jiang, Huizu Lin, et al.
Optical fiber polarizer and grating are two widely used fiber components and in this paper we proposed an integrated polarizing grating fabricated in polarization-holding fiber, which achieves reflecting and polarizing functions simultaneously. A D-shaped multilayer grating waveguide model was established and the linearly polarizing principles in both reflection and transmission ports were presented. An integrated polarization-holding fiber polarizing grating was fabricated and the laser polarization states of incidence, reflection and transmission were all measured, showing that this integrated fiber device can achieve reflecting and polarizing functions simultaneously. The discrimination between the reflection and transmission was also investigated.
Strain measurement inside a strong pulsed magnet based on embedded fiber Bragg gratings
Qian Zhang, Dongsheng Zhang, Jieyan Li, et al.
The measurement method of strain inside strong pulsed magnet has been demonstrated by using embedded fiber Bragg gratings. 23 FBGs were embedded in a strong pulsed magnet of 60 Tesla. The strain inside the magnet was successfully measured in a 10-millisecond pulse time by adopting high speed demodulation devices in normal temperature and liquid nitrogen temperature, respectively. The research achievement is significant for the further development of strong pulsed magnetic field technology.
Ultrasonic frequency response of surface attached fiber Bragg grating
Zhuoxuan Li, Li Pei, Bo Dong, et al.
The spectrum shift of FBG to ultrasonic wave is caused by the refractive index profile changing along the FBG, which can be attributed to nonuniform perturbation caused by strain-optic and geometric effects of ultrasonic wave. Response of FBG to the above two effects was analyzed by V-I transmission matrix model, showing high computing efficiency. Spectra response of FBG under changing ultrasonic frequencies was simulated and discussed. In experiment, the system was sensitive enough to detect ultrasonic wave from 15 kHz to 1380 kHz. These results would provide a guideline for FBG-based acoustic detection system design in a specific ultrasonic frequency.
Optical fiber sensing with chirped FBG Fabry-Perot interferometer: vibration measurement
A Fabry-Perot interferometer with chirped FBGs as reflectors has hundreds of resonance peeks in the transmittance spectrum and can be utilized as a sensor based on the dependency of the peak wavelengths on the influence applied to the fiber. Because the width of the peak is narrow and the number of the peak is large, one may well expect high resolution and/or large dynamic range in its operation. In this paper, we propose to use it for measuring vibration of solid. We characterize the sensor for two kinds of interrogation methods: the intensity-modulation and wavelength-sweep schemes. The sensor works well and the former scheme yields a lower minimum detectable strain while the latter gives flexibility in the magnitude of the dynamic range. In addition, difference in finesse between shorter- and longerwavelength regions allows us to design a sensor of different sensitivity by changing the operation wavelength.
Development of micro-tapered long-period fiber gratings written in tapered fibers with different diameters for enhancement of strain sensitivity
Micro-tapered long-period fiber gratings (MT-LPFGs) written in tapered fibers with different diameters of 125, 100, 75, and 50 μm are fabricated and their transmission characteristics with variations in strain and temperature are investigated. Since the variation of the refractive index with the applied strain change is inversely proportional to the cross section area of the MT-LPFGs, the strain sensitivity of the MT-LPFGs is further improved. The temperature sensitivity is also enhanced by reducing the diameter of the tapered fiber. The experimental results are very useful for discrimination of strain and temperature sensitivities.
Enhanced sensitivity of gold modified tapered long period fiber grating for refractive index measurement
Z. Taghipour, M. I. Zibaii, Z. Saeedian, et al.
In this work, a novel approach to application of tapered long period fiber grating (TLPFG) sensor is demonstrated, which are based on the modification of gold nanoparticles (GNPs). The sensor we propose here is a TLPFG fabricated with CO2 laser by heat-pulling method. TLPFG was immobilized with GNP and its refractive index sensitivity was measured. Experimental results show that modification of the TLPFG with GNPs enhances the evanescent wave and penetration depth around the sensor. Comparing different resonance dips of gold modified and bare TLPFG, improvement of 10.3 and 6.6 times can be estimated for wavelength and intensity sensitivities, respectively.
Long distance fiber Bragg grating strain sensor interrogation using high speed Raman-based Fourier domain mode-locked fiber laser with recycled residual Raman pump
Sunduck Kim, Oh-Jang Kwon, Young-Geun Han
We propose a novel fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensor interrogation system using a Raman-based Fourier domain mode locking (FDML) fiber laser for a high speed and a long distance measurement. To improve transmission efficiency of the sensing probe signal over a long distance of 20-km, the residual pump powers are recycled. The external strain change can be measured by detecting the tine interval between two reflected signals from two FBGs as the Rama-based FDML is swept. The measured strain sensitivities with respect to the time are 0.19 ns/μstrain.
Metal packaged fiber Bragg grating accelerometer
Yongxing Guo, Dongsheng Zhang, Hui Meng, et al.
A metal packed fiber Bragg gratings accelerometer has been proposed. Copper was adopted to cover the surface of optical fiber by magnetron sputtering and electroplating technology, and then tin soldering was used to fix the metalized fiber on mass and foundation. Because of copper coating and soldering, the elastic coefficient and ductility of FBGs have been increased, and the problems of aging and creep arising from polymer or adhesive packaged have been avoided. Experiment result demonstrated that the accelerometer possess of a resonant frequency of 2800Hz, a wide linear measurement range from 0.5g to 5.3g and a sensitivity of 84mv/g.
A miniature fiber Bragg grating pressure sensor for in-vivo sensing applications
David Hsiao-Chuan Wang, Andrew Abbott, Simon A. Maunder, et al.
A miniature FBG pressure sensor is reported. Two optical fibers containing FBG arrays are twisted together and the sensing elements are enclosed in a specially designed structure to detect variations in the ambient pressure. It provides an overall diameter of ~1 mm which is extremely beneficial for the studies of peristalsis in the gastrointestinal tract and flow in the vascular system. The static and dynamic responses of the miniature catheter were calibrated and the results are presented.
Distributed monitoring of fiber Bragg gratings under local lateral loads using optical frequency domain reflectometry
We demonstrate distributed monitoring of long-length fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) under lateral loads using optical frequency domain reflectometry (OFDR). Local lateral loads are applied to a certain area of the long-length FBGs. We observe splits of Bragg peaks due to the lateral loads in a distributed manner. We calculated the lateral loads based on the amount of Bragg peak splits, which showed the good agreement with the applied loads.
Intensity-based LPG vibration sensor array using FBG and broadband optical source
A novel fiber optic sensor array is proposed and demonstrated by multiplexing intensity-based long-period fiber grating (LPG) sensors, in which a simultaneous multipoint detection of mechanical vibrations as well as a highly sensitive operation is realized. In the intensity-based detection scheme, multiple narrowband light sources are provided by use of a broadband amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) source and fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) with their wavelengths adjusted to the spectral dips of the sensing LPGs. The LPG vibration sensor array is achieved by using a combination of wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) and space division multiplexing (SDM) technique. In the experiment, the LPG sensor array is constructed by multiplexing two LPG sensors in tandem and simultaneous multipoint vibration detection without crosstalk is successfully demonstrated.
Tunable narrow-band source using a VCSEL and an EDFA for interrogation of fiber Bragg grating sensors
Toru Mizunami, Shuji Hirose, Takeshi Yoshinaga, et al.
Wavelength tuning with a current of a long-wavelength vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) with a spectral line width of 30 MHz was studied. To stabilize the power, saturated amplification of the VCSEL output by an erbiumdoped fiber amplifier (EDFA) was performed. For wavelength tuning by 2.5 nm, there was a 3-fold change in the VCSEL output power; however, the variation in the amplified output power was within ±13%. For wavelength tuning of 4 nm, the variation was ±20%. Application to fiber Bragg grating sensor interrogation was discussed.
Micro-ridge long-period fiber gratings inscribed on a polarization-maintaining fiber for measurement of strain
Oh-Jang Kwon, Myungjun Shin, Young-Guen Han
Micro-ridge long-period fiber gratings (MRLPFGs) inscribed on a polarization-maintaining fiber (PMF) were demonstrated. The cladding region of the PMFs was periodically etched by using a wet etching technique, resulting in the periodic micro-ridges in the surface of the PMF. The PMF-based MRLPFGs has two resonant peaks because of the birefringence of the PMF. Two resonant peaks of the PMF-based MRLPFGs were generated by increasing the applied strain because of the photoelastic effect. The peak depth is only changed by increasing the external strain. It means that the proposed PMF-based MFLPFGs are very useful for the application to strain sensors.
Optical fibre gratings with response to 2µm and their sensing capabilities
A. Adebayo, Z. Yan, L. Zhang, et al.
Recently, we have extended fibre grating devices in to mid-IR range. Fibre Bragg gratings (FBGs) and long-period gratings (LPGs) with spectral responses from near-IR (800nm) to mid-IR ( ~ 2μm) have been demonstrated with transmission loss as strong as 10-20dB. 2μm FBG and LPG showed temperature and refractive index (RI) sensitivities of ~ 91pm/°C and 357nm/RIU respectively. Finally, we have performed a bio sensing experiment by monitoring the degradation of foetal bovine serum at room temperature. The results encouragingly show that the mid-IR LPGs can be an ideal biosensor platform as they have high RI sensitivity and can be used to detect concentration change of bio- samples.
Detecting mode hopping in fiber ring lasers by anisotropic dynamic gratings
Pan Xu, Zhengliang Hu, Nuan Jiang, et al.
We have demonstrated that a polarization-insensitive anisotropic dynamic grating can be used to detect accident mode hopping in long-cavity-length fiber ring lasers. The polarization-insensitive property of the grating is realized by a Faraday rotator mirror and validated experimentally. The mode hopping properties of a particular single-longitudinalmode erbium-doped fiber ring laser is examined by an anisotropic grating with 3-m long erbium doped fiber. When mode hopping occurs, the grating responds a negative intensity peak. Repeated measurement shows that the continuing cavity length wandering during the laser operation is the origin of the accident mode hopping when there is no modulation applied to the cavity length.
Ultra-long distance fiber Bragg grating sensor system based on self-heterodyne detection
Jiangjiang Cai, Guoliang Xu, Xiaodong Zhao
A long-distance fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensor system based on the self-heterodyne detection technique is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. In this system, a wavelength tunable laser was employed to scan the reflection spectrum of the FBG, and the reflection sensing signal was separated from the Rayleigh backscattering effectively. The system can achieve 148 km measurement length without amplification and the signal-noise ratio (SNR) of the detected Bragg wavelength signal is up to 24 dB. Applying this system to remote temperature detection, the measurement accuracy is 1°C.
The fiber-optic displacement sensor based on the DBR fiber laser
Guoyu Li, Yan Li, Kang Yang, et al.
The fiber-optic displacement sensor based on the distributed Bragg reflector fiber laser is proposed, that is, the fiber laser cavity is attached to the measured object, when the measured object is stretched or contracted, and the length of the fiber laser cavity is changing too. In view of nonlinearity of the fiber-optic displacement sensor, the calibration based on piezoelectric ceramics is applied to improve the linearity of the displacement sensor. Experiment results show that the fiber-optic displacement sensor has a linear response with the nominal working distance of 90 μm. Furthermore, the fiber-optic displacement sensor may realize the dynamic measurement.
Comparison between PMMA and PVAC coated fiber Bragg grating sensors for relative humidity measurements
R. Montanini, M. Latino, N. Donato, et al.
The paper reports some preliminary results obtained on two polymer-coated fiber Bragg grating based humidity sensors fabricated using poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) or poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) as sensing material. The calibration of the two sensors has been carried out in the 20 - 70 %RH range at three different temperatures (15, 30 and 45°C) using a two-pressure humidity generator. Repeatability and time response were assessed by means of multiple reversible RH step inputs. The PMMA-coated sensor prototype displayed overall much better performance when compared to the PVAc-coated one, although it manifested a somewhat higher temperature sensitivity.
High multiplexing capability and ultrahigh resolution interrogation for optical fiber Bragg grating sensing system
Yongjun Wang, Xiaolei Zhang, Yongchao Liu, et al.
A high multiplexing capability and ultrahigh resolution interrogation scheme for optical fiber Bragg grating sensing system was proposed. A scan ring laser based on semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) and tunable Fabry-Perot interferometer can provide 70nm bandwidth and 32 monitoring channels, and therefore the interrogator can simultaneously detect more than 1000 fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors. In the interrogation scheme, a gas absorption spectral line was used as a wavelength reference, and a comb filter was designed as a standard device that can dynamically calibrate the wavelength of FBG sensors. Therefore, the wavelength resolution can reach to 0.5 pm.
High alternating current sensor based on FBGs and magnetic coupling
Wenju Zhang, Ciming Zhou, Yuan Yao, et al.
In this paper, a novel Fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) high alternating current sensor is proposed to measure alternating current. The principle and sensing structure are introduced. The sensitivity of the high alternating current sensor is 13.8pm/A when the current is 1000A. The trend shows a good linearity between the wavelength shift and the square of the current value which is consistent well with the principle and indicates that the proposed sensor is capable of measuring high alternating current.
Based on fiber grating the high sensitivity all optical fiber CTD
Yong-Jie Wang, Xing Dai, Qiang Zhao, et al.
We designed and manufactured all optical fiber CTD to monitor ocean based on the sensitive characteristics about optical fiber grating. A series of works have done, including the calibration work for sensor in laboratory, simulated experiment outside and the local test of ocean parameter. The results we got show that the precision of temperature is 0.01℃ and of pressure is better than 0.1%, both of them overtake the secondary standard of GB/T23246-2009, moreover, close to the primary standard, and of salinity in laboratory has reached 708 pm/1% closely to the secondary standard. It is satisfied with the ocean monitoring requirements.
Remote sensing based on reflective bandpass long-period fiber grating and fiber ring laser
A remote sensing system based on bandpass long-period fiber grating (LPFG) and fiber ring laser is proposed in this paper. The reflective bandpass LPFG is fabricated by fusion splicing a piece of hollow core fiber (HCF) to the LPFG. And the fiber ring laser is employed to narrow the line-width of the bandpass LPFG and realize remote sensing. As an application example, a temperature experiment is conducted at the spot more than 1 km away from the fiber ring laser. The experimental results show that such a sensor has a sensitivity of 0.0254nm/°C within the range of 20-150°C.
Enhanced axial strain sensitivity in plasmonic tilted fiber Bragg gratings sensors
V. Voisin, C. Caucheteur, P. Mégret, et al.
This paper experimentally analyses the axial strain sensitivity of gold-coated tilted fiber Bragg gratings immersed in liquid. For the polarization mode P (polarization parallel to the tilt plane), a strong attenuation of some cladding mode resonances appears in the transmitted spectrum due to the coupling with the Plasmon wave. When axially straining the grating, we report a unique behavior for the cladding mode resonance that presents the strongest attenuation. It presents an axial strain sensitivity (1.33 pm/με) higher than the Bragg wavelength (1.28 pm/με) and much higher than neighboring cladding modes (1.16 to 1.22 pm/με), meaning that differential strain measurements can be achieved with such a sensing platform.
Simultaneous measurement of refractive index and temperature based on a partial cone-shaped FBG
Liang Qi, Chun-Liu Zhao, Shuqin Zhang, et al.
A refractive index and temperature simultaneous measurement sensor based on a partial cone-shaped fiber Bragg grating (FBG) was demonstrated. The bandwidth of the partial cone-shaped FBG is only effected by the surround refractive index (SRI), while the wavelength decided by the un-etched FBG is only sensitive to temperature. Utilizing the obvious difference of the bandwidth and the wavelength on temperature and the refractive index, two parameters can be distinguished and measured simultaneously using one partial cone-shaped FBG. Experimental results show that the proposed sensor has a SRI sensitivity of -13.669 nm/RIU in the range of 1.33~1.42 and a temperature sensitivity of 9.8 pm/°C in the range of 20~80°C.
Fiber-optic thermal anemometer based on metallic coated fiber Bragg grating
Jia Cheng, Yan Zhou, Xinyong Dong, et al.
A novel thermal anemometer based on a core offset single-mode fiber (SMF) combined with a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) coated with silver film is proposed. Light from a pump laser at 1450 nm propagating down the fiber is coupled by the offset into the fiber cladding. A silver coating was deposited on the fiber surface over the Bragg grating structure to absorb the light. As a result, the dynamic thermal equilibrium would be reached between the laser heating and air flow cooling by monitoring the FBG's wavelength shift. Experimental results reveal that the Bragg wavelength shift is related to the flow velocity and the highest resolution of the thermal anemometer is about 0.05 m/s in the range of 0-17.31 m/s.
Dual-peak wide range temperature LPG sensor fabricated with a CO2 Laser and a high resolution system
Pedro Simões, Paulo Lopes
In this work we present a specially designed high resolution electromechanical system to be used with a cw CO2 Laser to fabricate high quality long period grating sensors (LPG). We also describe the experiments carried out to measure the resulting enhanced transmission spectra of the fabricated LPG and to measure their response as temperature sensors. Sharp and well pronounced spectral peaks were obtained reaching 30dB. Sensitivity values of 118 pm/°C were easily obtained without any fiber coating. Wide range temperature coverage (20 - 600 °C) was attained by making use of two distinctive peaks of the transmission spectrum.
Pipe flow speed sensor based on fiber Bragg gratings
L. Rodriguez-Cobo, M. A. Quintela, M. Lomer, et al.
A fluid flow speed sensor based on Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBGs) is proposed and demonstrated. Two FBGs are attached to an arc-shaped plastic piece at the same distance from both edges. The fluid flow to be measured pushes the structure stretching one side and compressing the other one. The sensor has been successfully checked by subjecting the device, to different air flow controlled conditions inside of a pipe. Low energy impact detection has been also reported with the proposed device.
Determination of chewing patterns in goats using fiber Bragg gratings
C. Wosniak, W. J. Silva, R. Cardoso, et al.
This paper describes experimental procedures with a goat cadaveric skull aiming the identification of patterns during the chewing process, simulated with two plasticines having different textures. Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBG) are used to monitor the biomechanical forces related to the chewing process, whereas the obtained signals were processed by neural networks, in order to classify and recognize the presence of different plasticines in the chewing process.
Dual-polarization DBR fiber laser sensor for liquid-level measurement
Jianghai Wo, Jiejun Zhang, Qizhen Sun, et al.
A dual-polarization distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) fiber grating laser for liquid level measurement is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. The laser cavity is used as the sensing device. The liquid level is obtained by measuring the beat frequency generated between the two lasing polarizaion modes. The result shows the beat frequency shifts linearly with the water level and a sensitivity of 241 kHz/mm has been obtained. The sensor is simple, easy to fabricate and with high sensitivity to liquid level variation, which could be very helpful in practical applications.
Novel acoustic emission sensor system based on two cascaded phase-shifted fiber Bragg gratings
A novel acoustic emission (AE) sensor system based on fiber Bragg grating is proposed. Two identical phase-shifted FBGs (PS-FBGs) are cascaded after an amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) source, used as filter and sensor respectively. By measuring the change of the output power, the AE signal and low frequency vibration can be detected. Because of the sharp peak in the middle of the PS-FBG spectrum due to the phase shift, the sensitivity of the system is guaranteed while preventing the photo-detector from saturation. The proposed system has the advantages of simple configuration, no-resonance, electromagnetic interference immunity and low cost.
Refractive index sensor employing PVA-coated long period grating technology
L. Alwis, K. Bremer, T. Sun, et al.
The sensitivity of a Long Period Grating (LPG)-based refractive index (RI) sensor has been enhanced through an appropriate coating of a thin polymer layer, with a higher RI than that of the cladding, on the LPG. The performance of the coated sensor, together with a bare LPG, was evaluated as a chemical sensor when the sodium chloride concentration in water varies from 0.01% to 2%. The corresponding attenuation band shifts of both sensors in response to the RI change were observed. The experimental results confirmed that the coated LPG sensor has higher sensitivity than that of the bare LPG sensor.
Gap FBG and its application in tunable narrow linewidth fiber laser
Yuanhong Yang, Xiaozhe Zhang, Jin-jin Guo, et al.
A gap fiber Bragg grating (g-FBG) is fabricated by cutting a uniform FBG in the middle to introduce a small air gap between the two sections. Numerical and experimental investigations show that the g-FBG has the characteristics of both a phase shifted FBG and a Fizeau interferometer. The peak transmission wavelength of the g-FBG can be tuned by adjusting the air-gap longitudinally or transversely with respect to the fiber center-axis. With a g-FBG as tunable intra-cavity filter, a tunable fiber ring laser with a narrow line-width is demonstrated. The wavelength tuning range of the laser is 0.12 nm with a output power flatness better than 0.9 dB. The 3 dB spectral line-width is less than 12 pm and output power is 3.68 dBm.
Thickness influence on the polarization dependency of tilted fiber Bragg gratings coated by zinc oxide thin films
Jean-Michel Renoirt, Chao Zhang, Marc Debliquy, et al.
Tilted fiber Bragg gratings (TFBGs) transmitted amplitude spectra intrinsically depend on light polarization, leading to the existence of two peak families separated by a few picometers to a few tens of picometers for the s and p-polarized light states. In this paper, we demonstrate that, thanks to a dense thin film with high refractive index (Zinc oxide) deposited around TFBGs, the polarization dependency can be drastically enhanced, resulting in a wavelength separation of up to 550 picometers between the two orthogonal resonance peak families. This results in two important assets: the sensitivity is extended to surrounding refractive index (SRI) values above 1.45 while the strong polarization dependency makes the demodulation process easier with differential SRI sensitivities between the two modes families.
Effect of high temperature on the properties of long-period gratings written in non-hydrogenated fibers with UV and electric arc
Mateusz Smietana, Wojtek J. Bock, Predrag Mikulic
This work presents the effect of high temperature (~350°C) on the performance of the LPGs written in non-hydrogenated standard fiber (Corning SMF28) and in photosensitive fibers (Fibercore PS1250/1500 and Nufern GF1) using UV exposure and electric arc discharge. The effect is discussed from a point of view of application of the gratings as platforms for high-temperature overlay deposition to enhance sensing properties of such LPGs. Our experiment shows that only arc-induced gratings are suitable for high-temperature coating deposition and high temperature processing up to 350°C. It is shown that the temperature induced degradation effect for UV-written LPGs does not depend on composition of the core of the fiber and takes place for both photosensitive fibers. Moreover, for the LPG written in GF1 fiber the spectrum does not shift when the sample is cooled down, but stays the same as it was at the higher temperature.
Performance comparison of fiber Bragg gratings sensor interrogation using two kinds of wavelength-swept lasers
Ik Gon Park, Byeong Kwon Choi, Yong Seok Kwon, et al.
We report a performance comparison of fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) sensor interrogation using two kinds of wavelength swept lasers. In a wavelength swept laser with a fiber Fabry-Perot tunable filter (FFP-TF), the reflected signal from the FBGs in temporal domain has a nonlinear response with respect to the sinusoidal modulation signal. The output of the time delay for the strained FBGs sensor array in the wavelength swept laser with FFP-TF has different slope coefficient for each FBGs, while the reflected output of the strained FBGs in the wavelength swept laser with polygon scanning filter has same slope coefficient for each FBGs.
Nonlinear response in polymer optical fibre Bragg grating based sensors
W. Zhang, D. J. Webb, G.-D. Peng
PMMA based polymer optical fibre Bragg gratings have been used for humidity, temperature and concentration sensing. Due to the water affinity of PMMA, the characteristic wavelength of the grating is largely modulated by the water content in the fibre. The rate of water transportation between fibre and surrounding depends on the permeability coefficient for PMMA, which is a function of surrounding temperature and humidity. This leads to increased water content with increasing humidity and temperature. Consequently the wavelength of the grating shows a nonlinear change over varying humidity and temperature. This nonlinearity needs to be calibrated prior to sensor application.
Strain response of POF sensors
With regard to polymer fibre Bragg gratings, we investigate one of the consequences of the visco-elastic nature of the constituent polymer: hysteresis in the response of wavelength shift vs sensor elongation. We show that when a grating sensor is directly bonded to a substrate, the hysteresis is reduced by a factor of 10 from the case where the sensor is freely suspended between two supports.
Temperature level optical fiber sensor using shape memory alloy wires
J. M. López-Higuera, L. Rodriguez-Cobo, A. Quintela, et al.
A temperature Level fiber Optic transducer based on a fiber grating-shape Memory Alloy wire structure (LOMA) is presented in this paper. The basic sensors system works as an on/off optical device: only output light is offered by the device when the structure temperature (T) is over a given temperature level (T>TL). The proposed fiber structure can be used as point or as quasi-distributed sensors systems exploiting its optical multiplexing capacities. The simple and cost effective device is successfully demonstrated in the laboratory.
Ultra-high resolution real-time optical fiber strain sensor using a sideband interrogation method
Qingwen Liu, Tomochika Tokunaga, Zuyuan He
We report a novel sideband interrogation method to measure the resonance frequency difference between optical resonators. The laser carrier and a special designed sideband are simultaneously locked to the resonance frequencies of two sensor heads, respectively. Based on this method, an ultra-high resolution optical fiber real-time strain sensor system is built using a pair of identical fiber Fabry-Perot interferometers. A strain resolution of 0.05 nano-strain is demonstrated experimentally, and the measuring frequency is 7 Hz.
Quasidistributed fiber sensor for precast concrete structures monitoring
L. Rodriguez-Cobo, J. A. Polanco, A. Quintela, et al.
The prestressing force is transferred to the concrete during the slack period of precast concrete structures fabrication. To contribute to a better understanding of the armor compliant behaviors during the mentioned process, a custom quasidistributed Bragg Grating optical fiber sensor system is designed, fabricated and embedded into a prestressed concrete prismatic beam. The experimental works, the results, their discussion and finally the obtained conclusions are presented in this paper.
Distributed transverse load sensing with tilted fiber Bragg gratings using optical frequency domain reflectometry
A simple and novel distributed tilted fiber Bragg gratings (TFBGs) based transverse load sensing system using optical frequency domain reflectometry (OFDR) is proposed and demonstrated for the first time. The transverse load compresses an elastomer material around the fiber and induces a broadband loss in the spectrum of the TFBG. The additional loss is directly measured by the return loss spectrum of Fresnel reflection points introduced in the Rayleigh backscattering trace. With the wavelength sweeping characteristic of OFDR, we realized distributed sensing by interrogating each of the TFBGs with different wavelengths and observed a minimum crosstalk effect between sensors.
Temperature compensated microfiber Bragg gratings
In this paper, temperature compensated microfiber Bragg grating (mFBG) is realized by use of a liquid with a negative thermo-optic coefficient. The effects of grating elongation and the index change of silica glass are compensated by the liquid through evanescent-field interaction. As a result, the reflective wavelength shifts by only 30 pm when the temperature varies from 15 to 60°C. The proposed method is promising due to the compactness and high flexibility of the device.
Polarization dependency of surface plasmon resonance based tilted fiber Bragg gratings refractometers
C. Caucheteur, V. Voisin, P. Megret, et al.
The excitation of surface Plasmon resonances (SPRs) in nanometric-scale gold-coated tilted fiber Bragg gratings (TFBGs) strongly depends on the input state of polarization (SOP) of the core guided light. It was recently shown that rotating the linear state of polarization of the guided light by 90° with respect to the grating tilt allows not only to turn the SPR on and off but also to automate the extraction of the refractometric data. In this paper, we thoroughly analyze the dependency of the cladding mode resonances of gold-coated TFBGs with respect to the SOP. Our experimental results bring additional information about the behavior of these plasmonic platforms.
Femtosecond laser inscribed phase masks for fibre Bragg grating sensor inscription
Graham C. B. Lee, Kyriacos Kalli, Charalambos Koutsides, et al.
We present femtosecond laser inscribed phase masks for the inscription of Bragg gratings in optical fibres. The principal advantage is the flexibility afforded by the femtosecond laser inscription, where sub-surface structures define the phase mask period and mask properties. The masks are used to produce fibre Bragg gratings having different orders according to the phase mask period. The work demonstrates the incredible flexibility of femtosecond lasers for the rapid prototyping of complex and reproducible mask structures. We also consider three-beam interference effects, a consequence of the zeroth-order component present in addition to higher-order diffraction components.
Post-processing techniques for enhancing mode-coupling in long period fiber gratings
Two promising post-processing techniques, i.e. applying tensile strain and rising temperature, are demonstrated to enhance mode-coupling efficiency in the CO2-laser-carved long period fiber grating with periodic grooves. Such two post-processing techniques can be used to enhance the resonant attenuation of the grating to achieve a LPFG-based filter with an extremely large attenuation and to tailor the transmission spectrum of the grating to exactly equalize the gain of erbium-doped fiber amplifiers.
Long period grating made by rocking a single mode fiber
Long period gratings (LPGs) can be made by rocking a single mode fiber and at the same time periodically scanning a focused CO2 beam across the fiber. A 15 period LPG with ~ 3 degree rocking angle and 1.3 mm pitch exhibits a narrow bandwidth of 4.8 nm and a resonant attenuation of 33.5 dB. The novel LPG has a temperature sensitivity of -77 pm/°C and a strain sensitivity of -0.14 nm/mε , and is insensitive to twist.
An investigation of the crack propagation in a carbon fiber bonded joint using backface strain measurements with FBG sensors
Andrea Bernasconi, Lorenzo Comolli
Carbon-fiber structures has many advantages over traditional materials, but special care must be taken when bonded joints are used. A crack can propagate and cause the failure of the structure. The presence of a crack and its length can be monitored in example by means of backface strain measurements. In this work the backface technique is applied by using an array of 10 Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors applied on a carbon-fiber bonded joint. This is an interesting solution because these sensors can be embedded in carbon-fiber structures nearly without producing a load effect thanks to their small cross section. Special care must be used with FBG sensors because the expected strain profile is non-homogeneous (computed using a FEM analysis) and the FBG spectra can be altered and prevented from correct measurements (simulations using a T-matrix model were conducted). The specimen was tested with a pulsating tensile force, so that a crack developed and propagated below the optical sensors. The comparison of the observed crack position and the one inferred from the measured position of the minimum of the longitudinal strain pattern showed a good correlation, with errors lower than 10% except a small range where a 20% error was observed.
A novel design of a compact S-shaped balance with FBG sensors for the pantograph-catenary contact force measurement
Marco Bocciolone, Lorenzo Comolli, Pietro Crosio
The measurement of the contact force between pantograph and catenary in railway engineering has been carried out in the past with conventional electrical load cells. This study evaluates the use of fiber Bragg gratings (FBG) sensors, so that electrical insulation of the load cells, placed on high voltage parts, is obtained by means of the fiber optic intrinsic insulation. While FGB sensors can be compared to traditional resistance strain gauges, their dimensional and strain profile characteristics required the development of a novel load cell design. A trade-off between two opposite requirements were made: an adequate sensitivity of the FBG output (high strains) and a high reliability (small strains). Moreover the application requested predefined dimensional constrains. The selected design is basically an S-shaped load cell. Static and dynamic calibrations were performed also to asses the separation of the effects due to axial force, bending moment and temperature. Both test rig and in-service measurements has been performed, and the very first results show the good operation. The main metrological characteristics are: design full scale of ±500 N with a static safety factor of 5, equivalent spectral noise of 0.064 N/√Hz, first resonance frequency of mounted cell of about 200 Hz (so that a useful range of at least (0 to 50) Hz is obtained).
On the time delays in swept laser FBG interrogators for control systems applications
Gabriele Cazzulani, Simone Cinquemani, Lorenzo Comolli
FBG sensors are an attractive solution for vibration control applications since they can provide a large number of measurements with a negligible effect on the mechanical properties of the controlled structure and without problems related to measurement layout and overall dimensions. The paper analyzes the limits on the use of swept laser FBG interrogators for control systems applications due to time delays. Results show that good control performance can be obtained at least up to 20 Hz.
Experimental investigation of dynamic characteristics of wavelength of DFB-LD for FBG-FPI vibration sensor based on wavelength-to-time mapping
An in-fiber Fabry-Perot interferometer with fiber Bragg grating mirrors (FBG-FPI) yields extremely narrow transmission peaks within the FBG reflection wavelength range. Periodical scanning of the laser light source is under influence of strain. A high signal-to-noise ratio interrogation is possible with high resolution and a wide range of vibration frequency can be analyzed since the laser wavelength can be easily scanned at high frequency. Furthermore, an inexpensive DFB laser can be utilized as a light source because the narrowness of the transmission peaks does not require broad wavelength scanning. In this paper, experimental investigation of dynamic characteristics of wavelength of DFB-LD is reported.
Corrosion of Fe-C coated FBG sensor and rebars: a comparative study
Wenbin Hu, Xiaoxing Chen, Hanli Cai, et al.
Corrosion of steel in structures has become a major cause of structural degradations. Corrosion detection and monitoring are necessary for evaluation of structural service conditions. A novel FBG based sensor for steel corrosion detection and monitoring is developed previously. In this paper the sensor performances are evaluated by comparing to the corrosive rate of rebars in the corrosive environments. The correlation between the wavelength shifts of the sensor and the corrosive depth is established. It is proved that the sensor responses successfully to the occurrence of rebar corrosion, which shows the promising feasibility of applying the sensor for corrosion indicator.
Highly sensitive type IA fiber Bragg gratings as sensors in radiation environments
A. Faustov, P. Saffari, C. Koutsides, et al.
Type IA fiber gratings have unusual physical properties compared with other grating types. We compare with performance characteristics of Type IA and Type I Bragg gratings exposed to the effects of Co60 gamma-irradiation. A Bragg peak shift of 190 pm was observed for Type IA gratings written in Fibercore PS-1250/1500 photosensitive fiber at a radiation dose of 116 kGy. This is the largest wavelength shift recorded to date under radiation exposure. The Type IA and Type I gratings show different kinetics under radiation and during post-radiation annealing; this can be exploited for the design of a grating based dosimetry system.
Refractometer based on a superimposed optical fiber grating
Jie Zheng, Xinyong Dong, Chunliu Zhao, et al.
A refractometer based on a superimposed optical fiber grating, where a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) with broadband reflection (~2.7nm) is superimposed in the rear part of a tilted fiber Bragg grating (TFBG), is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. The superimposed grating is immersed in liquid with different refractive index. Optical power reflected back by the FBG is modulated twice by the TFBG that greatly enhances the sensitivity. And by using the broadband reflection FBG, instead of a normal FBG, signal to noise ratio is also improved.
Bragg gratings in few-mode Er/Al/Bi/P Co-doped germanosilicate ring-core fibre
We demonstrate the efficient inscription of Bragg gratings in a few-mode Bi and Er doped complex germanosilicate ring-core fibre also containing P and Al. The thermo-optic properties and thermal stability of these gratings are presented and the potential for sensing applications are discussed.
Acousto-optic modulation in a microstructured plastic optical fibre Bragg grating
The present work addresses the control of the mPOF Bragg grating spectrum properties through acousto-optic modulation. For the first time, the interaction of a flexural acoustic wave, generated by longitudinal excitation of different frequencies, with the Bragg grating will be presented. Also it will be demonstrated the quasi linear relationship between PZT load and maximum reflected power/ 3dB bandwidth of the reflected spectrum.
Fiber optic anemometer based on distributed Bragg reflector fiber laser
Yun Liu, Wei Peng, Xinpu Zhang, et al.
A novel fiber-optic anemometer based on a distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) fiber laser is reported in this paper. We design a fiber laser pressure sensing setup and a Venturi tube is designed for wind speed measurement. This fiber optic anemometer overcomes the drawbacks of the existing wind sensors with its unique advantages, such as immunity to electromagnetic interference, compact structure, remote detection, multiplexing capability. The measuring range of the anemometer is 8m/s~40m/s, the sensitivity is about 0.3m/s, and the short term repeatability can up to 0.35%. Experimental results reveal that the sensitivity is impacted by power of pump laser which could be further improved. This anemometer has high sensitivity and possibility for multiplexing application on a single fiber.
Focal beam position detection in a laser induced breakdown spectroscopy system by using a fiber Bragg grating sensor
F. Anabitarte, L. Rodriguez-Cobo, C. Galindez, et al.
Chemical analysis of dangerous materials entails a safety issue for the researchers. Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy offers the possibility to analyze these materials away from them using Stand-Off Set-ups. To optimize the plasma induction, the remote focalization of the laser beam is of paramount importance. A custom Fiber Bragg Grating sensor system able to correct the laser beam focalization errors is proposed and experimentally checked. The optical transducer architecture and the preliminary obtained results are reported in this paper.
Dynamic temperature compensation interrogation technique for liquid level sensors array based on single-longitudinal-mode DBR fiber laser
Chenglai Jia, Bo Liu, Hao Zhang, et al.
A polarimetric DBR fiber laser sensor array for simultaneous measurement of liquid level and temperature has been proposed and experimentally demonstrated. Operation principle of the proposed DBR fiber laser sensor has been theoretically analyzed. Based on beat frequency/wavelength hybrid interrogation, discrimination between liquid level and temperature has been achieved. Furthermore, three fiber laser sensors were cascaded to build up a serially multiplexed sensor array, showing a good multiplexing capability for potential network applications.
UV sensor based on azobenzene-polymer-coated FBG
Il-Shin Song, Chan-Young Kim, Hyun-Kyoung Kim, et al.
Recently, an ultraviolet (UV) sensor based on a photomechanically responsible material and a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) has been proposed by our group. The elasticity of the azobenzene polymer as a photo-responsive material is changed by UV light, which induces a center wavelength shift corresponding to the variation in the azobenzene-coated FBG's period. In this study, we test the performance and reliability of the abovementioned sensor.
Real-time activity identification in a smart FBG-based fiber-optic perimeter intrusion detection system
Huijuan Wu, Xianglin Lu, Shanshan Li, et al.
Activity identification is very important in a Perimeter Intrusion Detection System (PIDS). In this paper, an intelligent FBG-based fiber-optic PIDS is presented, which can distinguish effects of different intrusion activities. The intrusion identification method is proposed based on the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to tell the essential dissimilarity of the statistical characteristics of intrusion signal's modalities in the time domain. The experimental results show the recognition rate can be as high as 96.52% for eight types of common intrusion events.
Long-distance fiber-optic point-sensing systems based on the second-order random fiber laser
Zinan Wang, Yunjiang Rao, Han Wu, et al.
The novel concept of utilizing the second-order random fiber laser (RFL) to realize long-distance fiber-optic pointsensing systems is proposed. The sensing system consists of a pump laser, a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) at the pump side and 100km single mode fiber (SMF), and another FBG at the end of the SMF. The first FBG is used to enhance the lasing efficiency, and the second FBG is use as the remotely-located sensing head. The Bragg wavelengths of the two FBGs correspond to the first-order and the second-order random lasing spectrum, respectively. Its ability for remote temperature sensing is experimentally demonstrated.
Strain and temperature sensitivity of chiral long period fiber gratings
Hua-Xing Xu, Li Yang
Mode couplings of the core modes to cladding modes with both lower and higher angular orders in chiral long period gratings (CLPGs) are analyzed. The sensing sensitivity of the resonant wavelength in response to strain and temperature are demonstrated, respectively. Both single- and double-helix CLPGs formed by silica and polymer fiber are considered. This provides useful guidance for practical designs of CLPGs to enhance the optical sensing sensitivity of the strain and temperature, or to decrease the environmental influence on spectral characteristics of CLPGs.
Thermal characteristics of silver-recoated regenerated grating sensors for high-temperature sensing
Yun Tu, Shan-Tung Tu, Yi-Hua Qi
We have successfully fabricated regenerated gratings (RGs) with silver coating in standard telecommunication fibers by annealing and magnetron sputtering (MG) process. Optical testing showed that the optical properties of the silverrecoated RGs were slightly affected by MG process. We performed thermal tests to evaluate the characteristics with respect to a silver-recoated RG (SRCRG) sensor within the temperature of up to 600 °C. The experimental results showed that the SRCRG sensor exhibited a satisfactory performance for its sensitivity, repeatability and stability. Results from the experiments also revealed that the silver coating achieved good adhesion to fiber and could be used as a conductive layer for the further electroplating process.
A 1.65 µm region external cavity laser diode using an InP gain chip and a fibre Bragg grating
F. Chen, J. Hodgkinson, S. Staines, et al.
We present the construction of an external cavity laser (ECL) diode using an InP semiconductor gain chip and a fibre Bragg grating (FBG), designed to have an emission wavelength that coincides with an absorption line of methane, to be used for spectroscopic gas sensing. The FBG was employed as a wavelength selective and feedback element, which will potentially provide the laser with wavelength tuning capability. Narrow linewidth lasing output of less than 5 MHz was achieved. To our knowledge, this is the first FBG based ECL in the 1.65 µm region.
Intensity-independent fiber coupled interrogation technique for fiber Bragg gratings by fiber Bragg gratings
Jörg Burgmeier, Jan Koch, Wolfgang Schade
A low cost, highly accurate and light intensity-independent sensor system for the analysis of fiber Bragg grating signals based on fiber Bragg gratings in the detection unit is presented. The setup is based on two fiber Bragg gratings used in reflection to analyse one sensing fiber Bragg grating. The Bragg gratings were inscribed in coated non-photosensitive standard telecommunication fibers using an infrared femtosecond laser and the point-by-point writing technique. The accuracy of this interrogation concept is presented by means of a temperature measurement with a resolution better than 0.12°C in a linear operation range of 20°C.
Designing sensing properties of the long-period fiber gratings coated with the LC layers
Aleksandra Czapla, Wojtek J. Bock, Tomasz R. Wolinski
This work presents an investigation focused on the advanced tunable photonic components known as liquid crystal longperiod fiber gratings (LC-LPFGs). It is demonstrated that by coating the LPFGs with a thin low-birefringence 1800b LC layer the thermal sensitivity of the attenuation band can be significantly reduced. Moreover, for the LPFGs coated with a thin medium-birefringence 1702 LC layer, a fast and repeatable electrical switching of the attenuation band can be achieved.
Study and application of CFBG vibration sensor with symmetrical push-pull configuration
The author in the paper fabricates a novel type of chirped fiber Bragg grating (CFBG) vibration sensor with symmetrical push-pull configuration. It is a typical mass-spring system mainly made up of CFBG, steel tube, mass block. A push-pull configuration design makes it have not only high sensitivity but also function of temperature self-compensation. Using CFBG instead of FBG as a sensing element makes its measuring range increase by a big margin. Adopting matching demodulation technology solves availably the problem of demodulation speed. The sensor has excellent sensing properties and been successfully applied to vibration monitoring and fault diagnosis on large rotating machinery.
A PGC demodulation based on differential-cross-multiplying (DCM) and arctangent (ATAN) algorithm with low harmonic distortion and high stability
Xiufeng Yang, Zhihao Chen, Jun Hong Ng, et al.
A novel phase generated carrier (PGC) demodulation algorithm based on differential-cross-multiplying (DCM) and arctangent function (ATAN) is proposed in this paper. We investigate the stability with light intensity disturbance (LID) and the harmonic distortion due to nonlinearity both theoretically and experimentally. The nonlinearity of the proposed PGC demodulation algorithm has been analyzed. Compared with the traditional PGC-arctan and PGC-DCM algorithm, this PGC algorithm inherently has much lower total harmonic distortion (THD) as well as high stability with LID.
Poster Session 2: Biomedical and Chemical Sensor, Micro-structured Fiber Sensors, Sensor Multiplexing
icon_mobile_dropdown
Study of antibacterial effect of nanosilver particle by tapered optical fiber sensor
Z. Saeedian, M. I. Zibaii, S. M. Hosseini, et al.
A single-mode nanoadiabatic tapered optical fiber biosensor was utilized for real-time monitoring of the antimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) against E. coli. For measuring growth-inhibitory effects, the bacteria were immobilized on the tapered surface. Then, fiber sensor surrounded in glucose growth medium conation different concentration Ag-NP. At the same condition, the growth inhibition of E. coli was measured by colony counting method as a controlling experiment. Interacting Ag-NPs with cells, by anchoring to and penetrating the bacterial cell, the refractive index of the tapered region can be changed that leads to changes in the optical characteristics of the taper.
Label free detection of quadruplex formation of peroxidase-like DNAzyme by tapered fiber optic biosensor
Z. Bagheri, Z. Chenari, Z. Karami, et al.
We investigated the possibility the active DNAzyme formation of particular Guanine-rich oligonucleotide with nonadiabatic tapered optical fiber (NATOF) sensor. These kinds of oligonucleotides can form stable four-stranded structure called G-quadruplex in the presence of particular metal ions. Structural change of immobilized oligonucleotide was detected by monitoring of transmission spectrum of the sensor. The formation of active DNAzyme formed was confirmed by verifying enzyme activity. Result shows that the NATOF sensor has capability to detect intramolecular structural changes and using this sequence as biorecognition molecule for fabricating fiber optic biosensor.
DNA detection using molecular beacon in soft-glass microstructured optical fibers
Linh V. Nguyen, Stephen C. Warren-Smith, Alan Cooper, et al.
We report, for the first time to our knowledge, the detection of specific strands of DNA based on a soft-glass microstructured optical fiber (MOF) platform loaded with molecular beacons (MBs). This detection scheme brings together the intrinsic advantage of MOF for low-volume sensing with a label-free approach, and is highly specific in identifying complementary (cDNA) from non-complementary (nDNA) sequences at room temperature. The detection limit of the current sensing scheme is demonstrated to be improvable via coupling to different sets of guided core modes by means of longitudinal offset in coupling light from the source to the fiber.
Optical coherence tomography for endoscopes, using imaging fibre bundles and a conical mirror
Imaging fibre bundles and a conical mirror have been used to construct a passive, endoscopic OCT probe with no scanning components at the probe tip. Circular scanning of the beam projected onto the proximal face of the imaging bundle results in a corresponding circular scan at the distal end of the probe. A 45° base-angle conical mirror turns the output light to produce a radially-directed beam that permits circumferential OCT scanning in quasi-cylindrical ducts.
Instantaneous spectroscopic SS-OCT imaging using a simultaneous dual-band swept laser and common-path fiber probe
A simultaneous 1310/1550 swept-source optical coherence tomography system is implemented by combining a novel dual-band swept laser source and an integrated common-path GRIN lensed fiber interferometer/probe. Highspeed synchronized dual-wavelength tuning is performed by using two laser cavities with a single dual-window polygonal. Simultaneous in vivo OCT imaging at 1310 and 1550 nm is demonstrated. This dual-band technique bring together common-path fiber probe potentially allows instantaneous in situ functional OCT imaging with high quality spectroscopic contrast and stable phase measurements.
Temperature compensation fiber-optic refractive index sensor based on single-mode fiber core-offset attenuator
HuaQi Cheng, ZhenGuo Jing, Peng Wei, et al.
This paper has developed a novel single-mode core-offset fiber optic sensor based on the principle of Michelson interferometer, which can be used for refractive index measurement in sugar solution while making temperature compensation to eliminate or weaken temperature sensitivity. Experimental results show that when the temperature range is from 18.1°C to 84.3°C there will be an increasing relationship between characteristic wavelength and temperature. When the sensor's sensing range is from 1.331 to 1.335, there will be a better decrease gradually relationship between characteristic wavelength and refractive index (0.0416nm/0.01R.I.U) after temperature compensation. This sensor has a simple-structure and high-sensitivity.
Label-free DNA biosensor based on cladding-etched thin-core fiber modal interferometer
Guiying Ma, A. Ping Zhang, Guofeng Yan, et al.
The fabrication and characterization of a highly sensitive DNA biosensor based on thin-core fiber modal interferometer (TCFMI) are presented. The TCFMI is made by using a thin-core fiber (TCF) with core diameter of ~3.0 μm and etched by using Hydrofluoric (HF) acid solution for sensitivity enhancement. A thin layer of polymer (PLL, poly-L-lysine) was coated on the sensor surface and experimentally demonstrated for the detection of hybridization of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA).
A novel biosensor based on a coupled surface plasmon nanostructure
A novel plasmonic biosensor based on coupled metal-dielectric buffer grating is proposed and analyzed by the rigorous coupled wave analysis (RCWA) method. The metal-dielectric buffer grating structure offers surface plasmon resonance suitable for high sensitivity biosensing applications. The calculated FWHW (full width at half maximum) of the transmission peak is 5 nm and the optical transmission efficiency is significantly enhanced at the resonant wavelength of 800.8 nm by introducing the dielectric buffer grating. The highly concentrated field distribution is sensitive to surrounding refractive index changes of the metal surface providing a sensitivity of 560 nm/RIU (refractive index unit) for optical biosensing applications.
Dual-band wavelength-swept active mode locking laser for multi-band fiber-optic sensors
This paper shows experimentally dual wavelength swept at multi band (O,C-Band) property with active mode locking (AML) method. Unlike conventional wavelength swept laser, AML wavelength swept laser does not require any wavelength selecting filter in the cavity. The cavity has two free spectral ranges (FSRs) depend on dual path configuration. This wavelength swept laser can be useful for wide-band fiber-optic application such as Optical Coherence Tomography and Fiber Bragg Grating sensor system.
Dispersion-tuned wavelength-swept fiber laser using a chirped FBG and a reflective SOA for OCT applications
We demonstrate a wavelength-swept fiber laser based on the dispersion tuning method using a chirped fiber Bragg grating (CFBG) and a reflective semiconductor optical amplifier (RSOA). The laser cavity length is reduced to as short as 2m owing to the short and highly-dispersive CFBG, which is much shorter than the one using dispersion compensating fiber (DCF). The short cavity enables higher sweep speed. We successfully obtain the OCT images of a rolled adhesive tape at the sweep rate of 50kHz.
Fabrication and characterization of fiber-optic dosimeters for diagnostic radiology usages
W. J. Yoo, S. H. Shin, K.-T. Han, et al.
A water-equivalent fiber-optic dosimeter was fabricated using an organic scintillator, a plastic optical fiber and a photo-multiplier tube for real-time dosimetry in diagnostic radiology. We measured the scintillating lights, which are changed due to the exposure parameters, by using the fiber-optic dosimeter placed on top of the acrylic-aluminum chest phantom to provid a backscatter medium. The light output signals of the fiber-optic dosimeter were compared with entrace surface doses obtained using a dose-area product meter and a semiconductor dosimeter.
A label-free antigen-antibody immunosensor based on a special double cladding fiber
Wenxin Cao, Fufei Pang, Na Chen, et al.
An optical fiber label-free antigen-antibody immunosensor was proposed and demonstrated. It was fabricated by a special double cladding fiber (DCF) which presents a band-rejection resonant transmission spectrum. With the 3- aminopropyltriethoxysilane (KH-550) as the crosslink agent, goat anti rabbit IgG was immobilized on the surface of the DCF sensor. The whole process of immobilization and the antigen-antibody reaction was monitored through the shifts of the cladding mode resonant spectrum. Experimental results show that the resonant spectrum shifted toward longer wavelength during antigen-antibody reaction process. And the spectrum shift presented a saturation trend at high concentration rabbit IgG.
Strain monitoring of the periodontal ligament in pig's mandibles
Leandro Zen Karam, Maura Scandelari Milczewski, Hypolito José Kalinowski
The objective of this study is to propose a new method to monitor the response of the periodontal ligament (PDL) to loading to understand its mechanical and physical properties. Fiber optic sensors are used to monitor internal strain (με) in the PDL in a pig mandible simulating longitudinal forces applied on the tooth. This consists therefore of an in vitro study. Results show that the sensor is sensitive to investigate external loading and unloading in the PDL. The results can help the study of PDL properties.
Sensing biodiesel and biodiesel-petrodiesel blends
Marianne S. Kawano, Tárik K. M. Cardoso, Gustavo R. C. Possetti, et al.
This work describes two approaches for refractometric sensors based on cascaded long period gratings for evaluating substances with refractive indices equal to or higher than the fiber cladding at room temperature. The devices are experimented on the assessment of fuel quality regarding the presence of remaining vegetable oil in biodiesel, as well as to determine the concentration of biodiesel in the biodiesel-petrodiesel blends.
Structure optimization of slotted photonic crystal waveguide for gas sensor
Yong Zhao, Ya-Nan Zhang, Di Wu, et al.
To realize a high sensitivity gas sensor, a large wideband, temperature stabilized and large light confinement slow light structure in slotted photonic crystal waveguide (SPCW) is designed. The simulation results indicate that with a proper optimization of the SPCW structure, a very high group index of 105 can be achieved and the electric field enhancement factor would reach to 12. Combined with the correlation spectroscopy for signal processing, the detection limit of 10 ppm is achieved.
Effect of the clad transparency condition in POF humidity sensors with the swelling polymer clad
Shigeaki Kato, Masayuki Morisawa
We have developed plastic optical fiber (POF)-type humidity sensors, which consist of swelling polymer cladding. The proposed sensor consists of a polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) cladding layer that surrounds a poly(methyl methacrylate) core. The operation of the sensor is based on the POF structure changing from a leaky-POF to a guided-POFbecause of the changes in the refractive index caused by swelling of the cladding layer in high humidity. Therefore, the clad transparency condition before swelling affects the sensitivity of the sensor. In this study, to investigate the effect of the clad transparency condition, we fabricated three types of POF humidity sensors, which have different transparent cladding. The results indicate that the sensitivity of the sensor was improved by using the dye-doped swelling polymer clad.
Study of ring-down signal processing for fiber-loop ring-down sensing technology
This paper develops a program to process the ring-down signal automatically finding peaks and calculating decay rate. The program is tested by simulated data and analyzes the error under different SNR. Experimental system is set up to acquire ring-down signal that is processed by data processing program.
An optical fibre salinity sensor based on fluorescence quenching mechanism
T. Hien Nguyen, Yong Zhao, Tong Sun, et al.
Salinity measurement is very important for many industrial applications and in this work an intrinsic optical fibre-based salinity sensor is developed specifically for the detection of the salt water concentrations. The sensing principle was based on the fluorescence quenching as a result of the interaction between the sensing material incorporated into the tip of an optical fibre and target chloride ions in salt solutions. The peak intensity of the fluorescent signal generated has shown to change with the change of the salinity of the solutions measured. The experimental data obtained are in good agreement with a modified theoretical model when the hydrophobicity of the silicone supporting material is taken into account, thus demonstrating a clear feasibility of the developed sensor system of this type.
Comparison of side-polished fiber Bragg grating hydrogen sensors sputtered with Pd/Ag and Pd/Y composite films
Jixiang Dai, Minghong Yang, Zhi Yang, et al.
Pd/Ag and Pd/Y composite films were deposited on the side-face of side-polished fiber Bragg grating (FBG) as sensing elements with magnetron sputtering process. Compared to standard FBG coated with same hydrogen sensitive film, side-polished FBG significantly increase the sensor's sensitivity. When hydrogen concentration is 4% in volume percentage, the wavelength shifts of side-polished FBG sputtered with Pd/Ag and Pd/Y are 18 and 23 pm respectively. The experimental results show the hydrogen sensor coated with Pd/Y composite film has higher sensitivity and quicker response rate, and the sensor's hydrogen response is reversible. The side-polished FBG hydrogen sensor with Pd-based composite films has great potential in measurement and monitor of hydrogen concentration.
Long period grating inscribed by femtosecond laser for refractive index measurements in aqueous environments
Luis Brito Melo, Farid Ahmed, Martin Jun, et al.
A sensor based on a Long Period Grating (LPG) for measurement of the refractive index (RI) of liquids with RI close to that of water is reported. An LPG was written by a femtosecond laser (F-LPG) operating at 800nm, utilizing a point-bypoint technique. The performance of the F-LPG is compared with an LPG written by ultraviolet irradiation (UV-LPG). For low RIs, the sensitivities of the F-LPG and UV-LPG are 130 nm/RIU and 3.1 nm/RIU, respectively. For higher RI, the F-LPG exhibited sensitivity as high as 249 nm/RIU. For the low range of RI, the resolution of F-LPG was 3.8 x 10-5.
Real-time monitoring of fermentation process applied to sugarcane bioethanol production
Eric Fujiwara, Eduardo Ono, Celina K. Yamakawa, et al.
The application of a Fresnel-based fiber sensor on real-time monitoring of the fermentation process in bioethanol production is reported. The fiber was placed inside the bioreactor, and experiments were conducted by using glucose solution and sugarcane syrup as substrates for fermentation. When the sugar is completely consumed, there is no production of ethanol, causing the sample concentration to become constant, as well as the reflected light intensity. Therefore, the sensor can be used to predict the ideal moment to terminate the process. The results were confirmed by additional laboratory analysis, making this an alternative technology for optimization of bioethanol production.
A fiber-optic methane gas sensor system with improved accuracy using absorption-spectrum matched comb filter
Duan Liu, Ming Tang, Zhiyong Zhao, et al.
A fiber-optic methane gas sensor system is proposed and demonstrated with accurate gas concentration measurement with a sensitivity of ~410ppm. We employ the polarization-maintaining photonic crystal fiber (PM-PCF) based Sagnac loop filter to slice the spectrum of broadband light source so as to precisely match multiple absorption lines of the methane gas. Meanwhile, a compact gas cell with multiple reflections is designed to enhance the interaction between methane gas and the light beam. The proposed gas sensor is verified as low cost, temperature-insensitive, and high sensitivity.
Enhanced RI sensor using a combination of a long period fiber grating and a small core singlemode fiber (SCSMF) structure
An enhanced refractive index (RI) sensor with combination of long period fiber grating (LPG) and a small core singlemode fiber (SCSMF) structure is proposed and developed. Since the LPG and SCSMF transmission spectra experience a blue and red shift respectively as the surrounding RI (SRI) increases, the sensitivity is improved by measuring the separation between the resonant wavelengths of the LPG and SCSMF structures. Experimental results show that the sensor has a sensitivity of 1028 nm/SRI unit in the SRI range from 1.422 to 1.429, which is higher than individual sensitivities of either structure alone used in the experiment.
Numerical modeling and performance optimization of QEPAS spectrophone
The spectrophone performance for QEPAS is numerically investigated by using a finite element method. The effect of varying system parameters such as the excitation frequency, relative position between the acoustic resonant tubes and the quartz tuning fork, and the dimensions of resonant tubes are examined A pair of rigid tubes, each with a length of 5.1 mm and an inner diameter of 0.2 mm, positioned 0.6 μm down from the opening and 20 μm away from the edge of tuning fork is suggested for optimal spectrophone performance.
Coating based fiber Bragg grating humidity sensor array
A coating based FBG humidity sensor is developed for distributed humidity sensing. The sensitivity of the coated FBG is optimized by varying the chemical composition and the thickness of the coating. A sensitivity of ~2 pm/%RH and a rapid response are demonstrated. The composition of the coating can be adapted for sensing other chemical elements. For the design and modeling of the responsive polymer coatings, a toolbox is developed. Using this toolbox, sensors for sour gas like CO2 and H2S for the Oil&Gas industry are developed. The results match well with the prediction.
Using optical fiber sidewall to capture light from an adjustable depth
It is commonly accepted that light captured by the fiber core sidewall is from a depth of less than 1 μm limited by the evanescent-wave (EW) field. Yet we demonstrate in this paper that, with some simple modifications, the fiber core sidewall is also able to capture light from an adjustable depth beyond the EW field. The key elements are an air-clad fiber core cylinder; a liquid sample droplet surrounding a short segment of the core; a narrow, collimated and position-tunable excitation beam perpendicular to the fiber axis to excite the sample. A theoretical investigation of the operation of the mechanism is given, which is verified by a preliminary experiment.
Fiber optic pH sensor with self-assembled multilayer nanocoatings on tilted FBG
L. Y. Shao, M. J. Yin, H. Y. Tam, et al.
A novel fiber optic pH sensor is experimentally demonstrated by coating multilayers of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) on a tilted fiber Bragg grating (TFBG) with the layer-by-layer (LbL) electrostatic self-assembly method. The utilization of PDDA/PAA pH sensitive polymeric coating presents a variation of the thickness with the pH of the solution, which introduces the wavelength shift and transmission change in the spectrum of TFBG. Using fast Fourier transform (FFT) analysis on a selected bandwidth of the transmission spectrum, it is found that the peak amplitude of the dominant spectral fringes increases with the increasing pH value with an near-linear sensitivity of 117 arbitrary unit (a.u.)/pH unit (in the range of pH 4.66 to pH 6.02). The dynamic response of the sensor also has been studied (10 s rise time and 18 s fall time)
SnO2 based optical fiber refractometers
In this work, the fabrication and characterization of refractometers based on lossy mode resonances (LMR) is presented. Tin dioxide (SnO2) films deposited on optical fibers are used as the LMR supporting coatings. These resonances shift to the red as a function of the external refractive index, enabling the fabrication of robust and highly reproducible wavelength-based optical fiber refractometers. The obtained SnO2-based refractometer shows an average sensitivity of 7198 nm/refractive index unit (RIU) in the range 1.333-1.420 RIU.
Miniature photonic crystal optical fiber humidity sensor based on polyvinyl alcohol
Wei Chang Wong, Chi Chiu Chan, Tao Li, et al.
A compact photonic crystal fiber (PCF) humidity sensor based on modal interference has been proposed by the use of commercial fusion splicer to collapse the holes of PCF to form a Michelson interferometer with cladding mode excitation at the fiber tip. The sensor is then dipped coated in polyvinyl alcohol to make it sensitive to humidity. The shift of the interference fringes was measured when the sensor was placed in a humidity chamber of varying humidity. High sensitivity was obtained when the relative humidity is above 50% RH as an exponential relation of relative humidity and interference shift was established.
High finesse interferometric hydrogen sensor based on fiber-optic Fabry-Perot cavity modulations
Young Ho Kim, Chanki Lee, Ji Hey Kwon, et al.
Fiber-optic hydrogen sensing technique based on an extrinsic Fabry-Perot interferometer (FPI) composed of a palladium (Pd)-coated high finesse cavity is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. As the Pd layer absorbs hydrogen gas, the FPI cavity length is reduced so that we can measure the wavelength shift of its interference spectrum. The sensing performance of the proposed sensor is presented in terms of spectral response to hydrogen and recovery by nitrogen.
An evaluation of the distribution of metal ions in otherwise uniform titania sol-gel layers designed for optical sensing using laser ablation inductive coupled plasma mass spectroscopy
George Huyang, John Canning, David Bishop, et al.
Free-base porphyrins are bound to titania sol-gel layers deposited on glass slides. The porphyrin-containing titania layers show the UV-VIS spectra of the porphyrin and are found to be uniformly and evenly distributed. By addition of a metal salt to the titania layer, it was possible to metallate the free-base porphyrin within and change the UV-VIS absorbance of the porphyrin. The metalloporphyrins based on Cu and Zn ions could be detected by laser ablation inductive coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (LA-ICP-MS). Aggregation of metals is observed indicating that metal ions are also attaching directly to the titania. In samples where already metalized porphyrins are used little or no aggregation is observed, indicating that the titania sol gel is non-uniform in its affinity for metal ions.
Highly-sensitive temperature-independent refractive index sensor based on compact highly-birefringent microfiber loop
Lipeng Sun, Jie Li, Yanzhen Tan, et al.
A compact microfiber sensor is implemented with the twist of a continuous rectangular microfiber. The structure can exhibit extremely-high sensitivity of around 24,373nm per refractive-index unit and temperature stability of better than 0.005nm/oC, implying a great suppression of cross-sensitivity. Thia sensor is featured with compact size, high sensitivity, easy fabrication, robustness, and low connection loss with all-fiber system.
Suppression of long distance instability on remote sensing signal of pulse correlation measurement in optical fiber sensing
H. Kobayashi, T. Tsuzuki, T. Onishi, et al.
Optical fiber sensing has potential to overcome weak points of the traditional electric sensors. Many types of optical fiber sensors have been proposed according to the modulation parameter of incident light. We proposed optical pulse correlation sensing system which focuses the time drift values of the propagating optical pulses to monitor the temperature- or strain-induced extension along the optical fiber transmission line. In this study, we stabilize the pulse correlation signal instability due to the time drift fluctuation at the long transmission line to purify the response and improve the accuracy of signals at the focused sensing regions.
Tunable diode laser spectroscopy with electronically controlled background RAM nulling
Abhishek Upadhyay, Vibhav Vikas Katre, Arup Lal Chakraborty
An electronically-controlled fibre-optic RAM nulling method is presented for tunable diode laser spectroscopy (TDLS) of gases. An electronic variable optical attenuator and a 1x2 optical switch are used to demonstrate the cancellation of the background RAM signal that limits the detection sensitivity in 1f WMS. This is an significant improvement upon the generic RAM nulling method that has recently been shown to be well suited to direct recovery of the absolute gas absorption line shapes of gases that commonly encountered in process control applications.
Increased sensitivity of long period grating hydrogen sensors through coupling to higher order cladding modes
Richard M. Carter, Robert R. J. Maier, Palas Biswas, et al.
We investigate the phase matching conditions and sensitivities of higher order metal jacketed long period gratings (LPGs). These higher order modes have been previously demonstrated to have flatter, and therefore more sensitive, phase matching conditions leading up to the phase matching turning point. We demonstrate this increased sensitivity as applied to a Pd jacketed LPG hydrogen sensor illustrating an improvement in both the refractive index and temperature sensitivity (of the 17th order mode) of an order of magnitude over the lower order (1st-9th) modes.
Chemical vapor sensing properties of twin-core photonic crystal fiber based in-reflection interferometer
This paper presents chemical vapor sensing properties of twin-core photonic crystal fiber-based in-reflection interferometer. The interferometer is composed of end-cleaved twin-core photonic crystal fiber (TC-PCF) and fiber circulator. Infiltrating chemical molecules in the air holes of TC-PCF lead to change in inter-core effective index difference and associated fringe shift in the interferometer. As an example we demonstrate acetone vapor detection and discuss the potential applications of the proposed device.
Fiber carbon monoxide sensing system and its application in coal mines
Yubin Wei, Tingting Zhang, Yanfang Li, et al.
Spontaneous combustion in coal goaf area is one of major disasters in coal mines. Detection technology based on signature Gas is the primary means of spontaneous combustion forecasting of coal goaf area. A real-time remote fire gas detection system is proposed based on tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy technology, to achieve valid test of Carbon Monoxide signature gas. The System uses the wavelength, respectively 1.567um near-infrared band fibercoupled distributed feedback laser (DFB) as the light source, combined wavelength modulation spectroscopy and harmonic detection technique, developed a fiber-coupled white-type long-path gas absorption cell, to achieve high sensitivity detection of gas concentration. The system achieved a remote on-line monitoring of Carbon Monoxide gas concentration, to meet the fire forecast need for Coal Mine goaf area.
LPG based fiber optic sensor for carbon dioxide
C. Gouveia, K. Balogh, J. M. Baptista, et al.
In this work a novel optical-fiber sensor for carbon dioxide measurement is presented. A polymeric sensitive layer based on the acid-base equilibrium of phenol and of its derivative 4-nitro-phenol is used for carbon dioxide determination. The sensitive material presents changes in color and in its refractive index. Colorimetric and refractometric measurements were performed. The results show the sensor is more sensitive for lower concentrations and a saturation effect occurs for higher levels. For the colorimetric response, a resolution of ±0.15% was estimated and a response time of 30s was measured. For the refractometric measurements, a resolution of ±0.50% could be estimated and a response time of 12s was measured. Reversibility and reproducibility were also demonstrated.
Simultaneous measurement of refractive index and temperature based on multimode interference inside a fiber loop mirror
C. Gouveia, G. Chesini, J. M. Baptista, et al.
A fiber optic sensor for simultaneous measurement of refractive index and temperature is presented. The sensing probe is achieved by introducing multimode interference inside a high birefringence fiber loop mirror resulting in a configuration capable of refractive index and temperature discrimination. The multimode interference peak is sensitive to the surrounding refractive index (90 nm/RIU) and slightly responsive to the temperature (0.005 nm/°C). On the other hand, the birrefringent fiber loop mirror is highly sensitive to temperature (2.39 nm/°C) and has no response to refractive index. Therefore, a temperature independent refractive index measurement can be made with a resolution of ±2.5x10-5.
SERS properties of gold core silver shell nanoparticles self-assembled on silica substrates and optical fiber endface
Qianqian Geng, Zhenyi Chen, Na Chen, et al.
Gold core silver shell nanoparticles with different molar ratios of gold and silver were prepared by chemical reduction with microwave heating method. Uv-vis absorption spectrometer and transmission electron microscope (TEM) were used to detect their absorption and surface topography. The results show that core-shell nanoparticles had controllable size and uniform distribution. With Rhodamine 6G (R6G) as detection molecules, gold core silver shell sol with a molar ratio of 1:10 had the best surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) effect. And we detected 10-17 mol/l and 10-9mol/l R6G solution respectively after they were self-assembled on silica substrates and optical fiber endface.
Temperature independent refractive index measurement using white light interferometry
C. Gouveia, M. Zibaii, H. Latifi, et al.
In this work a fiber optic interferometric system for differential refractive index measurement is described. The system is based on a white light Mach-Zehnder configuration, with serrodyne phase modulation, to interrogate two similar nonadiabatic tapered optical fiber sensors in a differential scheme. In this situation it is possible to measure the refractive index independent of temperature. Signal processing with low cost digital instrumentation developed in Labview environment allows a detectable change in refractive index of Δn≈2x10-6, which is, from the best of our knowledge the highest resolution achieved using a fiber taper device. The results demonstrate the potential of the proposed scheme to operate as chemical and biological sensing platform.
Enhanced novel fiber-optic sensor for efficient fluorescence collection
In this article the enhancement of the novel fiber-optic fluorescent sensor is demonstrated. The novel sensor that was developed by our group is based on the collection of the fluorescence from the sidewall of the multimode optical fiber which is partly de-cladded and covered by the sample under the test (SUT). The most part of the fluorescent intensity is carried by the leaky rays which are inaccessible in traditional evanescent-wave fluorescence fiber sensors. In our previous structure, some part of a refracting power is collected in the de-cladded segment and used to excite the lower order lossless modes in the cladded part by an end-face mode-mixer. In the enhanced type of our sensor we discovered that the mode-mixer on the side-wall, rather than on the end-face, is more efficient. The fluorescence efficiency increased in this type of enhanced sensor by about 88%. Moreover, the capability of multiplexing of the different SUT on one fiber is a promising advantage of this architecture with a view to develop the multi-channel chemical detection system with inexpensive simple fiber-optic.
Temperature independent microbending polarization maintaining photonic-crystal-fiber based microdisplacement sensor
A temperature independent microdisplacement sensor based on microbending-induced core-cladding mode coupling loss via a polarization maintaining photonic-crystal-fiber (PMPCF) is presented. By core-offsetting one splice joint between the single mode fiber (SMF) and PMPCF in an SMF-PMPCF-SMF structure, one core-cladding modal interferometer can be constructed. By packaging the interferometer in a carbon-fiber-composite based simple-supported beam, temperature independent microdisplacement measurement can be achieved by monitoring the extinction ratio variation of the interference spectrum. This type of sensor exhibits the advantages of temperature independent, high sensitivity and simple structure.
Liquid-core photonic crystal fiber based surface plasmon resonance refractive index sensor
Binbin Shuai, Li Xia, Deming Liu
A surface plasmon resonance refractive index sensor based on a liquid-core photonic crystal fiber is proposed and numerically investigated through the finite element method. The effects of the central metallic analyte channel diameter, the cladding air hole diameter and the liquid-core diameter on the resonant spectrum are studied. A single-resonance and highly sensitive feature of the fundamental mode are utilized to perform the sensing, and a resolution of 2.7×10-6 RIU is achieved. The results show that the sensor is rather sensitive to the structural parameters and the resonant wavelength can be tuned to a desired value.
Temperature threshold sensor based on optical switch with filled photonic crystal fiber
P. Marc, P. Piliszek, M. Murawski, et al.
In this paper we present the technology and experimental results of the intensity based fiber optic threshold temperature sensor. As an optode of the sensor it was used a patch cord with an organic mixture filled photonic crystal fiber. Under temperature changes the used mixture changes its state from solid to liquid one and this effect decides about intensity of a transmitted light. A fabricated patch cord with VCSEL as a light source can be easy to use, flexible, cheap and low power consuming sensor. The used technology gives a possibility to design optodes with different transition temperatures in order to make sensor arrays.
Hollow-core photonic bandgap fiber Mach-Zehnder interferometer based on a long period grating and an offset-splice joint
We report a compact in-fiber Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) made along a hollow-core photonic bandgap fiber (HC-PBF). The MZI uses a long period grating (LPG) and an offset-splice joint (OSJ) which act as beam splitter and combiner respectively. The LPG was produced by use of a high frequency pulsed CO2 laser, and the OSJ was made in serial with the LPG by using a commercial fusion splicer. The interference is between the fundamental core mode (FCM) and a high-order core mode (HOCM). The proposed interferometer was experimentally tested for temperature and strain measurements, and the sensitivities of the interference fringe dip wavelength to temperature and strain are 107.5 pm/ (°C-m) and -1.24 pm/με, respectively.
An inline ultrasensitive temperature sensor based on liquid-filled photonic crystal fiber Mach-Zehnder modal interferometer
Youfu Geng, Xuejin Li, Xiaoling Tan, et al.
We propose an ultrasensitive temperature sensor based on an in-line liquid-filled photonic crystal fiber (PCF) Mach- Zehnder interferometer. It consists of a small piece of index-guiding PCF fully infiltrated by fluid and two standard single-mode fibers offset spliced with the PCF. Two core modes of LP01 mode and LP11 mode are conveniently utilized as optical arms to form an in-line Mach-Zehnder-type interferometer. Experimental and theoretical investigation of its response to temperature confirms that and a high temperature sensitivity up to -0.244nm/(oC-mm) could be realized by such a compact inline liquid-filled PCF Mach-Zehnder interferometer.
Sensitivity enhancement in photonic crystal fiber interferometer
Sun-jie Qiu, Ye Chen
In this paper, we demonstrated two methods to enhance refractive index (RI) and temperature sensitivity of a photonic crystal fiber (PCF) in-line modal interferometer built via fusion splicing, respectively. First we fabricated a tapered PCF interferometer by an etching method with acid microdroplets. The RI sensitivity greatly increases (5 times) and the size decreases after tapering the PCF, while the temperature sensitivity does not change a lot. Then we obtained another PCF interferometer by inserting a short isopropanol-filled PCF between two single mode fibers (SMFs). The temperature sensitivity increases over an order of magnitude compared with the previous non-polarimetric sensors based on air-filled PCF interferometers.
Simultaneous measurement of strain and temperature based on clover microstructured fiber loop mirror
In this work, an all-fiber loop mirror using a clover microstructured fiber for the simultaneous measurement of temperature and strain is presented. The sensing head is formed by a short piece of clover microstructured fiber with 35 mm length. The geometry of the fiber allowed observing different interferences created by the microstructured fiber core section. Different sensitivities to temperature and strain were obtained and, using a matrix method, it is possible to discriminate both physical parameters. Resolutions of ±2ºC and ±11 με, for temperature and strain, respectively, were attained.
Hollow core photonic crystal fiber as a viscosity sensor
Laura E. Horan, Fatima C. Garcia Gunning
Determining viscosity of nano-liter liquids is challenging, since most viscometers tend to use large volumes. We use short lengths of hollow-core photonic crystal fibres to determine the viscosity of small volumes of two types of monosaccharides diluted in a phosphate buffer solution. The simple optical technique used is based on the change in propagation characteristics of a laser beam travelling through the fibre as it fills with the nano-litre liquid of interest via capiliary action. The fiber length was kept in a temperature controlled casing, to minimize temperature differences across the fiber length for reproducibility and minimal error.
Chromatic dispersion measurement in photonic crystal fiber by white-light interferometry
Gao Ran, Jiang Yi
A dispersion coefficient measurement of photonic crystal fiber by using white-light interferometry based technology is presented. A section of photonic crystal fiber (PCF) is fused in one arm of a Mach-Zehnder interferometer, and the relative phase, delay time and chromatic dispersion coefficient of PCF are calculated by sweeping the wavelength from 1525nm to 1565nm. A section of PCF with the length of 0.779m is measured and the experimental results are shown. The result indicates that the proposed method can measure the chromatic dispersion of PCFs with a reliable accuracy.
Pressure-assisted low-loss fusion splicing between photonic crystal fibers and single-mode fiber
Fufeng Xiao, Tao Zhu, Laicai Xu, et al.
We demonstrated a novel method of low-loss splicing photonic crystal fiber (PCF) and single-mode fiber (SMF) by conventional electric arc fusion splicer, in which the air with proper pressure is injecting into the PCFs holes to control the collapse ratio and then an optimum mode field match at the joint of SMF/PCF is realized. The experimental results show that the splice loss at 1550nm is ~0.40 dB and ~1.05dB for solid-core PCF/SMF and hollow-core PCF/SMF, respectively. This method could be widely used to fabricate PCF Devices.
Hydrostatic pressure sensor using two-core photonic crystal fiber
Zhengyong Liu, Ming-Leung Vincent Tse, Daru Chen, et al.
A hydrostatic pressure sensor based on a custom made two-core photonic crystal fiber (TC-PCF) is experimentally demonstrated. The TC-PCF was fabricated in our lab using standard PCF fabrication techniques. A hydrostatic pressure sensor based on the in-line fiber Mach-Zehnder interference is reported. The two solid cores of the TC-PCF separated by an air hole acted as the two arms in the interferometer. The pressure sensor has high repeatability and high sensitivity of -54.06 pm/MPa.
Photonic crystal fiber-based silver-nanowires LSPR sensors with supermodes
A photonic crystal fiber-based localized surface Plasmon resonance sensor with supermodes is analyzed. In the boundary condition of anisotropic perfectly matched layer (PML), a full-vector finite element method (FEM)is used to calculate the fiber model. Numerical results indicate that the excitation of the plasmon mode is sensitive to the change of the refractive index of adjacent analyte. The maximum amplitude sensitivity of the fiber sensor is 1124dB/RIU. Its resolution can reach 4×10-5 RIU. The maximum spectral sensitivity of the sensor can be about 2000nm/RIU. Its resolution can reach 5×10-6 RIU.
Hybrid square-lattice photonic crystal fiber with high birefringence and negative dispersion
So Eun Kim, Chung Ghiu Lee, Inkyu Moon, et al.
We have proposed a hybrid square-lattice PCF using two different sized air holes and conventional square lattice cladding structure. Based on the plane wave expansion method and finite element method, we numerically investigated it polarization and dispersion properties compared to the conventional square lattice photonic crystal fiber. From the numerical results, it is shown that the proposed structure provides high birefringence and still maintains negative dispersion property. Numerical results show that the birefringence of the hybrid square-lattice PCF reaches 10-2. The value and slope of the chromatic dispersion are also negative over the C band.
Optical fiber sensors fabricated by the focused ion beam technique
Wu Yuan, Fei Wang, Ole Bang
Focused ion beam (FIB) is a highly versatile technique which helps to enable next generation of lab-on-fiber sensor technologies. In this paper, we demonstrate the application of FIB to precisely mill the fiber taper and end facet of both conventional single mode fiber (SMF) and photonic crystal fiber (PCF). Using this technique we fabricate a highly compact fiber-optic Fabry-Pérot (FP) refractive index sensor near the tip of a fiber taper, and a highly sensitive in-line temperature sensor in a PCF. We also demonstrate the potential of using FIB to selectively fill functional fluid into desired patterns of air holes in a PCF.
Surface plasmon resonance sensor based on a novel grapefruit photonic crystal fiber
We propose a novel surface plasmon resonance sensor design based on a grapefruit photonic crystal fiber. In such a sensor, phase matching between plasmon and a core mode is achieved by introducing microstructure into the fiber core. Using the finite element method, the confinement loss of the fiber is calculated to measure the sensitivity of the sensor. Simulation results show that this kind of sensor has an excellent effect, with the amplitude resolution to be as low as 2.88×10−5 RIU and the spectral resolution to be 6.67 ×10−5 RIU.
Microstructured polymer optical fiber-based surface plasmon resonance sensor
Ying Lu, Baoqun Wu, Xiangyong Fu, et al.
We propose a surface plasmon resonance sensor based on microstructured polymer optical fiber (mPOF) made of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) with the cladding having only one layer of air holes near the edge of the fiber. In such sensor, the nanoscale silver metal film can be deposited on the outer side of the fiber, which is easily realized. Numerical simulation results show that spectral and intensity sensitivity are in the range of 8.3×10-5~9.4×10-5RIU.
Overcoupled bending insensitive holey optical fiber coupler
Joo Beom Eom, In Hee Shin, Jae Seok Park, et al.
A holey optical fiber (HOF) wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) coupler, which divides optical waves according to their wavelengths, has been made by using the Fused Biconical Tapered (FBT) method. The transmission band of the proposing HOF WDM coupler could be easily tuned by adjusting the pulling length during the FBT process. The HOF used for the WDM coupler was designed to be bending insensitive, which could withstand a bending radius of up to 6 mm. Interestingly, it was observed that the air hole structure of the HOF should be maintained to have the property of a WDM coupler. The cross sectional SEM images of the implemented HOF WDM coupler are presented along with the light intensity distribution at the coupling region. The proposed HOF couplers may find applications as optical CWDM (coarse wavelength division multiplexing) filters and as optical fiber sensors also.
A high sensitivity humidity sensor based on an Agarose coated photonic crystal fiber interferometer
We report a novel high sensitivity relative humidity (RH) sensor based on Agarose coated photonic crystal fiber interferometer. We also demonstrate the experimental method to precisely apply a suitable coating thickness to achieve high RH sensitivity. The sensor shows a linear response for an RH change in the range of 40-70 %RH with a humidity resolution of 0.03 %RH and a higher humidity resolution of 0.01 %RH in the range 70-95 %RH. The sensor response is found to be reversible and repeatable with good long term stability.
Comparison of vibration measurements in composite materials using different types of polarimetric sensors
Low frequency vibration measurements in a composite material using embedded polarimetric sensor are presented in this paper. A glass fiber reinforced composite material sample is fabricated with two different polarimetric sensor types embedded in it. The two types of polarimetric sensors embedded are based on polarization maintaining photonic crystal fiber (PM-PCF) and Panda fiber. The vibration frequencies and amplitudes are measured using the embedded polarimetric sensors and the results from both sensor types are compared. Analysis of the limitations of Panda fiber based vibration measurements over PM-PCF is carried out and the results are presented. It is found that for high amplitude vibration measurements, PMPCF based sensors offer a wider linear range and are more suitable than Panda fiber based polarimetric fiber sensors. It is envisaged that the results from the studies will provide important information to end-users for selecting an appropriate sensor for vibration measurements in composite materials.
Inline Mach-Zehnder interferometer using liquid filled twin-core photonic crystal fiber with high strain sensitivity.
An inline Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) is demonstrated using liquid filled twin-core photonic crystal fiber (TCPCF). The TC-PCF is filled selectively with liquid ethanol, increasing the effective refractive index contrast between twin cores, resulting in interference fringe spectrum with narrower free spectral range (FSR). Strain induced wavelength shift of the interference fringes is experimentally monitored. Wavelength shifts to the shorter wavelength side with a sensitivity of about -1.48 pm/με for applied strain change. Selectively liquid filled TC-PCF based MZI is simple to fabricate and expected to have wide range of applications in optical sensors, multi-wavelength laser source and tunable optical devices.
Brillouin scattering of a photonic crystal fiber core-offset spliced to a single mode fiber
Yongliang Chang, Hao Liang, Jie Li, et al.
The Brillouin scattering spectrum of a photonic crystal fiber was measured experimentally by core-offset splicing to a single mode fiber. One main peak and five sub-peaks due to Brillouin scattering were identified and their frequency and intensity dependences on strain and temperature were investigated in detail. Besides the frequency shift, the intensity of the Brillouin scattering was also found to vary with strain and temperature changes. It is then expected to solve the problem of cross sensitivity in the conventional single-mode fibers.
A Mach-Zehnder interferometer by combining a microtaper with a long period grating in an all solid photonic bandgap fiber and its temperature sensing characteristic
Zhifang Wu, Meng Jiang, Yan-ge Liu, et al.
We demonstrate a new type of Mach-Zehnder interferometer by combining a nonadiabatic microtaper with a long period grating in the same stage of all solid photonic bandgap fibers. Meanwhile, the mode-coupling caused by the microtaper is indirectly verified by the interference with the long period grating, which is designed for the resonance between the fundamental core mode and LP01 cladding supermodes. Finally, the temperature response is also reported.
Surface plasmon resonance sensor based on grapefruit fiber filled with silver nanowires
Congjing Hao, Ying Lu, Xiangyong Fu, et al.
We study the surface plasmon resonance sensors based on grapefruit Photonic crystal fiber (PCF) filled with different numbers silver nanowires. Numerical results show that the intensity sensitivity may be influenced by the distance between two nanowires and nanowires numbers. A best value is got with a maximum distance of 2μm. And the PCF filled with more nanowires is better than the one. Moreover, the air holes of grapefruit PCF are large enough to operate in practice.
Temperature and strain response of Michelson interferometer with asymmetric two-core photonic crystal fiber
We fabricated asymmetric two-core photonic crystal fiber (AS-TC-PCF) and observed the temperature and strain responses of the Michelson interferometer based on it. The asymmetric two cores induce optical path length difference and produce polarization-dependent interference fringes. The temperature and strain sensitivities of the AS-TC-PCF were measured using the interference fringe shift. With increasing temperature, the interference fringes shifted to longer wavelengths, and the temperature sensitivities were measured to be 5.06 pm/°C and 11.05 pm/°C, respectively, for different polarizations. However, with increasing strain, the interference fringes shifted to shorter wavelengths, and the strain sensitivities were measured to be -0.50 pm/με and -1.87 pm/με, respectively.
Strain and temperature sensitivity measurement using simple microstructured fiber Mach-Zhender interferometer
In this paper we present the experimental comparison of mechanical and temperature sensitivities of Mach-Zehnder interferometer with replaceable FC connectorized sensing fibre arm, such as: off-the-shelf endlessly single mode microstructured fibre (MSF) or standard telecom single mode fibre. Experimental results clearly show reduced crosssensitivity to temperature of studied MSF compared with standard doped core fibre. Additionally, microstructured fibre Mach-Zehnder interferometer with standard FC receptacles allows using different fibres as sensors with the same device. Moreover, investigated interferometer consumes in total extremely low electric power (< 20 mW) and VCSEL as the light source.
Dispersion properties of double-clad hollow-core photonic bandgap fibers based on a circular lattice cladding
The major challenges in developing a fiber-optic nonlinear endomicroscope are efficient excitation light delivery and nonlinear optical signals collection, beam scanning, and probe miniaturization [1-4]. Therefore, double-clad PCFs (DCPCF) are used in nonlinear endomicroscope which can play a dual role of ultrashort pulse delivery and efficient collection of nonlinear optical signals [4]. However, due to dispersion of DCPCF, dispersion compensation systems are required. In this paper the dispersion properties and losses of new design of double-clad hollow-core photonic bandgap fibers (DCPBGFs) based on a circular lattice are investigated for the first time, by using a finite difference time domain method.
Birefringence responses of hybrid photonic crystal fiber to strain and temperature
M. Pang, L. M. Xiao, W. Jin, et al.
The modal and group birefringence of a hybrid photonic crsystal fiber (Hybird-PCF) and their responses to strain and temperature are studied theoretically and experimentally. The birefringence properties of a section of Hybrid-PCF manufactured by University of Bath were measured by using a Sagnac interferometer. The group birefringence, strain and temperature responsivities of modal birefringence of this Hybrid-PCF were measured to be ~2.5*10-4, 4.39*10-4 (ε-1) and -1.05*10-7 (ºC-1) respectively. The birefringence properties of Hybrid-PCF can be adjusted by changing the molar concentration and diameter of its Ge-doped regions.
Photonic crystal fibers as miniature monitoring platforms for petroleum characterization
Rodolfo Luiz Patyk, Cicero Martelli, Marco J. da Silva, et al.
A fiber design that allows the characterization of high and low refractive index materials is proposed and demonstrated. This fiber consists of an air-silica photonic crystal fiber supporting a Gaussian like mode confined in the fiber core and a ring mode in a region between the structured area and the fiber cladding. This versatile fiber design finds applications in the oil industry where materials of different refractive indices are found. The characterization of petroleum and CO2 using the new fiber is demonstrated.
Surface plasmon resonance sensor based on a novel grapefruit photonic crystal fiber
We propose a novel surface plasmon resonance sensor design based on a grapefruit photonic crystal fiber. In such a sensor, phase matching between plasmon and a core mode is achieved by introducing microstructure into the fiber core. Using the finite element method, the confinement loss of the fiber is calculated to measure the sensitivity of the sensor. Simulation results show that this kind of sensor has an excellent effect, with the amplitude resolution to be as low as 2.88×10-5 RIU and the spectral resolution to be 6.67 ×10-5 RIU.
Selectively infiltrated photonic crystal fibers for strain measurement with ultra-high sensitivity
Y. Wang, D. N. Wang
An ultrasensitive strain sensor is demonstrated by selectively filling one of the air holes in the photonic crystal fiber. Light propagated in the photonic crystal fiber core can be coupled to the liquid-filled rod-waveguide efficiently under phase-matching conditions. The resonant wavelength, which corresponds to the coupling between the fundamental core mode and the fundamental mode of the adjacent liquid rod waveguide, experiences large shift by applying axial strain. The experimental results obtained show that the strain sensitivity achieved is ~394.6 pm/με, which is one or two orders higher than that of conventional fiber gratings.
Thinned fiber based Mach-Zehnder interferometer for measurements of liquid level and refractive index
Lecheng Li, Li Xia, Zhenhai Xie, et al.
A novel singlemode-multimode-thinned-singlemode (SMTS) fiber structure based Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) is proposed for measurements of liquid level and refractive index (RI). We observe that the liquid RI information can be provided from the sensitivity of the interference peak shifts. Furthermore, by measuring the certain wavelength shift, the liquid level can be measured accordingly. A 9.00 mm-long thinned fiber with core/cladding diameters of around 4.5/80 μm is used. The wavelength of 1538.7228 nm exhibits a water level sensitivity of -175.8 pm/mm, and refractive index sensitivity of -1868.42 (pm/mm) / RIU, respectively. Moreover, the fabrication process is very simple and cost effective.
Multiplexed localized surface plasmon resonance sensing with suspended core fibers
Kerstin Schröder, Marko Zobel, Andrea Csáki, et al.
Sensors based on the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effect are known as sensitive methods for refractive index measurements or for detection of specific binding reactions in biosensing due to a variation in layer thickness. Fiber based arrangements are able to perform such measurements with very small analyte volumina. A generalization of this concept for a multiplexed measurement of different biomolecules in a single fiber could be an attractive approach. We discuss the possibility of selectively sensitizing the inner surfaces of a suspended core fiber with two different metallic nanoparticle types in monolayers for such multiplexed measurements.
Principle of the temperature sensor based on two mode nano-wire Silicon-on-Insulator waveguides
A prototype of the temperature sensor based on the nano-wire Silicon-on-Insulator (SOI) waveguides, with air cladding or SiO2 cladding, is proposed with the principle of two mode interference (TMI) in the two mode nano-wire SOI waveguides. The beatlength, between the two modes with same polarization in the two-mode regime, are shown with the dependence on the waveguide parameters. The effects of the birefringence on the temperature sensor are discussed.
In-line single-mode fiber interferometers based on peanut-shape fiber structure
Di Wu, Tao Zhu, De-Wen Duan, et al.
A novel peanut-shape fiber structure which can realize the coupling and re-coupling between the fiber core mode and the cladding modes is proposed in this paper. Based on the peanut-shape structure, two kinds of simple and low-cost interferometers are fabricated in single-mode fiber (SMF). Experimental results show that the temperature sensitivities of the Mach-Zehnder and Michelson interferometers were ~46.8pm/°C and ~0.096 nm/°C, respectively. In particular, the Michelson interferometer could be heated up to 900°C, which is suitable for the high temperature sensing applications.
Sensing characteristics of tapered high-birefringent optical fiber
A. Layeghi, M. I. Zibaii, J. Sadeghi, et al.
A high-birefringent fiber (HBF) was tapered as adiabatic in sequence steps by utilizing a CO2 laser and its birefringence was measured in fiber loop mirror (FLM) setup. The birefringence of tapered section and total sensor was obtained to be -8.02×10-2, and 2.46×10-4, respectively. Then, refractive index (RI) sensitivity increased and temperature sensitivity of the tapered Hi-Bi fiber (THBF) decreased. The sensitivity of the proposed FLM interferometer for RI changes in the range from 1.3380 to 1.3470 was measured to be 389.85 nm/RIU. The temperature sensitivity in the range from 50°C to 90 °C was measured to be -1.19nm/°C.
A fast-response microfiber coupler tip high temperature sensor
Ming Ding, Pengfei Wang, Gilberto Brambilla
A compact fast temperature sensor based on a broadband microfiber coupler tip is demonstrated. The thermometer dynamic range spans from room temperature to 1511 °C with a response time of tens of ms. This is the highest temperature measured with an optical fiber device. The resolution of 0.66 °C was achieved for a coupler tip diameter of ~12.56 μm.
Spectral bandwidth analysis of high sensitivity refractive index sensor based on multimode interference fiber device
Edwin G. P. Pachon, Marcos A. R. Franco, Cristiano M. B. Cordeiro
Fiber optic structures based on multimode interference were investigated to the refractive index (RI) sensing. The proposed device is a singlemode-multimode-singlemode (SMS) structure, where the multimode section is a coreless fiber (MMF). The numerical analyses were carried out by beam propagation and modal expansion methods. Ultra-high sensitivity was obtained: 827 nm/RIU over a RI range of 1.30-1.44 and a maximum sensitivity of 3500 nm/RIU for RI~1.43, considering ▵RI = 0.01. The dependence of spectral bandwidth was investigated taking into account the multimode fiber diameter and the coupling efficiency between modes at the input junction singlemode-multimode.
Optical fiber hydrogen sensor based on micro interferometer
Min Wang, Jie Cheng, Xun Yu, et al.
In this paper, a femtosecond (fs) laser fabricated fiber in-line micro Michelson interferometer (MI) with palladium (Pd) film deposited on the fiber end face for hydrogen detection is proposed and demonstrated. Beam Propagation Method (BPM) is used to analyze the influence of refractive index (RI) of Pd film on reflection spectrum. As for the experimental results, the variation of optical power and shift of interference peak wavelength are -4.904 dBm and -4.2 nm respectively with the increase of hydrogen concentration from 0% to 16%. The developed system has high potential in hydrogen sensing with high sensitivity.
FBG-microfiber-FBG cascade Fabry-Perot interferometer for simultaneous measurement of temperature and refractive index
Jiejun Zhang, Qizhen Sun, Ruibing Liang, et al.
A microfiber Fabry-Perot interferometer (FPI) which employs two fiber Bragg Gratings (FBGs) as reflection mirrors and a short length microfiber as its cavity is proposed and fabricated. Theoretic study shows that the reflection spectrum of such microfiber FPI is consisted of two parts - interference fringes induced by FPI and reflection band induced by FBGs. Temperature affects both parts while ambient refractive index only influences the first part, i.e. microfiber FPI has different response to temperature and RI. Therefore, Dual-parameter measurement is experimentally demonstrated by tracking the FSR variation and the central wavelength shift of the reflection spectrum of microfiber FPI.
Temperature sensor by using alcohol-filled side-hole fiber based Sagnac interferometer
Yi Xin, Xinyong Dong, Qingqiang Meng, et al.
A temperature sensor by using an alcohol-filled side-hole fiber (SHF) based Sagnac interferometer is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. The alcohol liquid is filled into air holes of the SHF. Due to its temperature-dependent refractive index, interference pattern of the Sagnac interferometer shifts at sensitivity of 86.1 pm/°C when temperature is changed in a range between 20°C and 70°C.
High sensitivity temperature sensor using microfiber based Mach-Zehnder interferometer
A high sensitive temperature sensor based on Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. Temperature measurement is achieved by immerging a section of microfiber into the refractive index (RI) liquid with a high thermo-optic coefficient. A slight change of ambient temperature will lead to the enhanced variation of the liquid index. Due to the evanescent field of microfiber, microfiber effective refractive index will be changed, and subsequently the optical length. Thus, by measuring the free spectral range (FSR) of the MZI, the temperature sensor can achieve a high sensitivity of 6.44nm/°C at the temperature of 20.6°C.
Temperature-independent refractive index sensor based on a Bragg grating in highly birefringent microfiber
We demonstrated a novel method for temperature-independent refractive index measurement by use of a Bragg grating fabricated in a highly birefringent rectangular microfiber. The two reflective peaks corresponding to two polarization axes exhibit almost identical temperature sensitivity of 12.01 pm/°C and different responses to ambient refractive index of 38.9 and 46nm/RIU at RI of 1.36, respectively. By monitoring the wavelength separation between the two peaks, temperature-independent refractive index measurement can be achieved.
In-fiber microsphere air-cavity Fabry-Perot interferometer for strain/temperature measurement
Jun Ma, Wei Jin
A novel in-fiber microsphere air-cavity Fabry-Perot interferometer (FPI) sensor is constructed and demonstrated for strain and temperature measurement. The microsphere air-cavity is formed by ablating, with a focused femtosecond infrared laser, the endface of a single mode fiber (SMF) to form a crater at its center, and then splices this fiber end to a second SMF using a fusion splicer. The sensor demonstrates a strain sensitivity of 2.44 pm/με and a low temperature sensitivity of 0.87 pm/ºC up to 600 ºC.
Fiber Bragg gratings in few-mode highly birefringent microstructured optical fibers for sensing applications
T. Tenderenda, M. Murawski, M. Szymanski, et al.
In this paper we present the results of theoretical characterization of a few-mode birefringent microstructured fiber dedicated for fiber Bragg grating (FBG) inscription. The spectral characteristics of FBGs written (with a nanosecond and femtosecond laser Talbot interferometer setups) in the core region of the investigated fiber are presented and discussed. We compare the experimental results of the polarimetric strain sensitivity with our previously reported data, outlining perspectives for developing a highly sensitive (with strain sensitivity of second order mode two orders of magnitude higher in comparison to fundamental mode), temperature independent, FBG based strain transducer.
An investigation of the polarization dependence of a temperature sensor based on an optical microfiber coupler
Lin Bo, Pengfei Wang, Yuliya Semenova, et al.
The dependence on polarization of the performance of a microfiber coupler based temperature sensor is experimentally investigated. The optical microfiber coupler based temperature sensor has a diameter circa 2 μm and can sense temperature in the range from 100°C to 1000°C, with an average sensitivity of 18.9 pm/°C. It is shown that different polarization states of the input signal have a significant influence on the proposed temperature sensing accuracy, with an estimated peak error of 63°C at 1000°C.
Monitoring of fluid evaporation using fiber-optic micro-cells
Eyal Preter, Borut Preložnik, Chaim N. Sukenik, et al.
The monitoring of fluid evaporation from within fiber-optic micro-cells is proposed and demonstrated. The evaporation process is accompanied by a pronounced temporary attenuation in the transmission of light through the micro-cell, by as much as 50 dB. The temporal attenuation profiles observed for acetone, ethanol and hexane are distinctly different. Temporal attenuation measurements can therefore allow for the identification of fluids based on their physical properties, rather than their refractive indices. The evaporation of fluid mixtures is monitored as well.
Fiber taper sensors fabrication with arbitrary profiles using a modified flame-brush approach
A. Felipe, G. Espíndola, Y. Wang, et al.
This work reports a method to fabricate fiber taper sensors with arbitrary profiles. It is based on the approximation of the desired taper profile function by a series of step functions. As a consequence, monotonic taper transition profiles can be constructed with a number of flame-brush passes, each one supposedly producing a stepwise uniform reduction of the fiber diameter. Differently from what is done in other methods, constant speeds in all the translation stages are used in the process. A non-symmetrical arbitrary taper profile was fabricated in a singlemode fiber to demonstrate the feasibility of the method.
Raman detection of hydrogen peroxide in suspended core optical fibers
G. Tsiminis, N. A. Spooner, T. M. Monro
The first demonstration of a detection scheme for hydrogen peroxide based on Raman spectroscopy in suspended core optical fibers is presented. This detector combines the advantages of Raman spectroscopy, such as the unique identification of a molecular fingerprint, with a microstructured fiber architecture, which enables low volumes processing and detection. Hydrogen peroxide is chosen as a target molecule since it is a key component in home-made explosives. These results highlight the feasibility of the proposed scheme as a low false-positive detection platform.
Controlling the fabrication of self-assembled microwires from silica nanoparticles
Masood Naqshbandi, John Canning, Mellisa Nash, et al.
We report on recent advances made in fabricating photonic microwires from silica nanoparticles using evaporative self-assembly. Silica microwires up to 7 cm in length and widths as small as 10 µm were fabricated with rectangular cross sections. A model of fabrication is put forward and confirmed by experimental observation. A crude dependence on concentration for an idealised spherical droplet is explored.
In-line fluidic absorption coefficient sensor based on optical microfiber
An in-line fluidic absorption coefficient sensor based on the optical microfiber (OM) is proposed. We calculate the insertion loss of the OM per millimeter after immerged into liquid with various absorption coefficients. Then a 1.8μm diameter OM with 10 millimeters uniform waist region is used to analyze the absorption of pure water, and the absorption spectrum from 1525nm-1565nm is achieved from the experiment, agreeing well with the reported absorption coefficient. The in-line fluidic absorption coefficient sensor has potentially wide sensing range by controlling the construction of OM for many kinds of absorptive liquids with lower refractive index than silica.
Spectral tuning of a microfiber coupler with a liquid crystal overlay
Yuliya Semenova, Lin Bo, Sunish Mathews, et al.
This paper demonstrates temperature-induced tuning of the optical spectrum of a microfiber coupler covered with a low-refractive index liquid crystal (LC) layer. The microfiber coupler with a minimum waist diameter of ~6 μm is fabricated by fusing together and tapering of two standard telecom fibers using a microheater brushing technique and by placing a thin heated LC layer over the uniform taper waist region. Repeatable and reversible tuning of the optical spectrum (~4 nm) of the microfiber coupler is demonstrated for the temperature range of 50-78 °C.
A high-speed and high-precision phase-shift demodulation algorithm for optical fiber sensing system based on low-coherence interference
Shaohua Wang, Junfeng Jiang, Tiegen Liu, et al.
A novel demodulation algorithm, comprising of a calibration algorithm and improved linear fitting phase-shift algorithm, is proposed for optical fiber sensing system based on low-coherence interference. The calibration algorithm is used to identify the fringe order. Traditional phase-shift algorithm is improved to get the linear fitting curve of the relative phase corresponding to zero-order fringe and the peak position is retrieved from its zero point. Comparing with Fourier based algorithms, the computation of proposed algorithm is small (approximately 25 times faster) while sustains high precision with 2nm maximum error of cavity length. Experiments were carried out to verify the performance.
A highly sensitive and fast response molecular sensor based on graphene coated microfiber
Graphene's featureless optical absorption, ultrahigh carrier mobility and optical modulation capacity would enable a new breed of optical devices with novel photonics characteristics. The complex refractive index (CRI) of graphene can be modulated by its local boundary conditions when molecules are attaching on the surface of the graphene layer, leading to change in the CRI of graphene, which would induce altered properties of the evanescent wave propagating between the graphene film and optical waveguide. In this paper, a novel fiber-optic sensor concept that integrates the graphene film onto a microfiber is proposed to detect the molecular concentration based on TE intensity measurement. The theoretical investigation shows that such a sensor could offer a solution for realization of a variety of high sensitivity and fast response molecular sensing in biological, medical and chemical fields.
Laser-machined cascaded micro cavities for simultaneous measurement of dual parameters
Zengling Ran, Cheng Li, Min Ni, et al.
Fiber-optic cascaded micro Fabry-Perot (F-P) cavities fabricated by 157-nm laser micromachining is demonstrated, for simultaneous measurement of high temperature and refractive index, or high temperature and strain, respectively. The sensor head consists of a short air extrinsic F-P cavity and an intrinsic single-mode fiber F-P cavity. These two micro cavities possess different response coefficients to temperature, stain and refractive index, which are ultilized for dual parameters measurement. Experimental results shows dual parameters meausurement could been achived from 50℃ ~380℃ based on such a sensing structure.
Lab on fiber using self assembly technique: a preliminary study
In this work, we report the preliminary results on the fabrication of metallo-dielectric nanostructures on the optical fiber tip by using a simple and low cost self-assembly approach. The fabrication process relies on the breath figure technique here adapted to operate on unconventional substrates as the case of single mode optical fibers. The experimental results demonstrate the successful creation of a honeycomb pattern on the optical fiber tip and the feasibility of the proposed approach in the roadmap of "Lab on fiber" technology development. Further work is currently running aimed to the assessment the presented fabrication procedures in order to attain advanced optical fiber sensing probes with high fabrication throughput by exploiting a low cost technology.
Sensing properties of intrinsic Fabry-Perot interferometers in fiber tapers
Xiaobei Zhang, Jinlong Li, Yang Li, et al.
A sensing configuration of the fiber taper intrinsic Fabry-Perot interferometer (FTIFPI) was presented and developed. Direct inscription method of intrinsic Fabry-Perot interferometers in optical fiber tapers with a femtosecond laser has been fabricated experimentally. Fabry-Perot interferometers are firstly realized in the waist of fiber tapers. The experimental results indicate that the change in wavelength has a good linear relationship with temperature, while the fringe visibility keeps the same approximately. In the range of 0°C~100°C, the interference spectrum sensitivity is 12pm/°C. The fringe visibility decreases linearly with the liquid refractive index increasing, while extremes keep the same approximately.
Noise analysis and optimization for PGC method
Zhiguang Dai, Changdong Tian, Kai Wang, et al.
We analyze the transfer factor for phase noise (NTFφ) of PGC system. According to NTFφ , we optimize the system phase noise performance by setting proper working point. Since we use hydrophones with the same Distributed Feedback (DFB) laser, the noise from laser resource takes the leading post. We build up the theory model of correlation coefficients, and demonstrated a new system using a reference interferometer with 32 coupler. The homologous noise is eliminated. We get output noise with the PSD (Power Spectral Density) 8.5dB higher than that of circuit noise and 14dB higher than that of DC intensity noise.
Interrogation of remote intensity-based fiber-optic sensors deploying delay lines in the virtual domain
In this work a self-referencing intensity-based fiber-optic sensor using virtual instrumentation is presented. The use of virtual delay lines along with novel self-referencing techniques minimizing resolution and using a single frequency avoids all-optical or electrical-based delay lines approaches at reception. This solution preserves the self-referencing and performance characteristics of the proposed optical sensing topology, and leads to a more compact solution with higher flexibility for the multiple interrogation of remote sensing points. Results are presented for a displacement sensor demonstrating the concept feasibility.
Resilient optical fiber ladder network with OADMs to multiplex sensors: experimental validation of binary state connectivity analysis
R. A. Perez-Herrera, D. Leandro, Paul Urquhart, et al.
We experimentally demonstrate a resilient wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) fiber ladder network, based on optical add-drop multiplexers (OADMs), to interconnect sensors. It recovers operation after failures and it enables "selfdiagnosis", the identification of the failed element(s) from the patterns of surviving end-to-end connections at all operating wavelengths. A theory for such topologies, the "binary state connectivity analysis", used a matrix formalism to predict the surviving channels at the receiver node after damage occurs in one or more sites. We present experimental measurements for double failures in the network, demonstrating complete agreement with theoretical predictions.
Investigation on the scale of DFB fiber laser sensor array limited by coherence collapse
Wen Liu, Lina Ma, Huayong Yang
The influence of coherence collapse due to Rayleigh backscattering on the scale of DFB fiber laser sensor array is investigated. The largest scales of a two-element sensor array and a three-element sensor array are measured to be 160 m and 250 m. Results indicate that coherence collapse due to Rayleigh backscattering does not limit the multiplexing capability of DFB fiber laser sensor array when the multiplexing capacity remains to be several tens, which is significant for the scale extension of DFB fiber laser sensor array.
BOTDA sensor network with power by light remote switching
A. Ullán, M. Bravo, A. Zornoza, et al.
We present and demonstrate a Brillouin Optical Time Domain Analysis (BOTDA) based long range sensor network with remote switching. Two different 5 km long sections were monitored alternatively by using a fast remotely controlled and optically powered up optical switch. The sensed fibers were located 10 km away from the interrogation unit. The BOTDA unit uses a simplified configuration to reduce the sensor network costs. Proof-of-concept experiments were carried out verifying the capacity of the proposed system.
Remote resilient FBG multiplexing network controlled by a powered by light fiber optic switch
M. Bravo, M. A. Erro, J. M. Algueta, et al.
In this work, a remote powered by light fiber optic switch is experimentally demonstrated. This fiber optic switch is powered by a photovoltaic power converter illuminated by a Raman laser working at distances up to 50 km. This switch is used to develop a remote resilient FBG multiplexing network interrogated by a commercial FBG interrogator. In the proposed set-up the switch selects the branch of the FBG network 50 km away in order to enable a two-way interrogation path for each sensor to prevent connection failures.
Interferometric time division FBG interrogator and multiplexer with static, dynamic, and absolute wavelength measurement capabilities
Philip Orr, Alan Paterson, Paweł Niewczas
We report on the design and preliminary testing of an interferometric interrogator capable of large-scale time-division multiplexing of FBG sensors. The scheme employs a passive algorithm for phase demodulation, allowing changes in FBG sensor reflected wavelengths to be calculated instantaneously upon arrival, and incorporates a technique for identification of initial absolute sensor wavelengths in order to overcome the measurement ambiguity associated with interferometric schemes. The proposed system will allow for high-speed interrogation of large-scale FBG sensor arrays with interferometric resolution and the capability for dynamic, static, and absolute FBG wavelength measurement.
High performance fibre-optic acoustic sensor array using a distributed EDFA and hybrid TDM/DWDM, scalable to 4096 sensors
Yi Liao, Ed Austin, Philip J. Nash, et al.
An amplified 16 channel dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) array architecture is presented for interferometric fibre optic sensor array systems. This architecture employs a distributed Erbium doped fibre amplifier (EDFA) scheme to decrease the array insertion loss, and employs time division multiplexing (TDM) at each wavelength to increase the number of sensors that can be supported. The first experimental demonstration of this system is reported including results which show the potential for multiplexing and interrogating up to 4096 sensors using a single telemetry fibre pair with good system performance.
Range-resolved single-sideband optical fibre interferometry for quasi-distributed dynamic strain sensing
A novel optical signal processing scheme for fibre sensors is proposed, which combines interferometric phase measurements with range multiplexing. The scheme is based on single-sideband signal processing and uses continuous-wave pseudo-random range encoding. The potential of the technique for cost-effective dynamic quasi-distributed strain sensing is explored by applying it to an array of fibre segments. In its current implementation dynamic strains in segments of 3.4 m gauge lengths can be measured with a resolution well below microstrains at a bandwidth of 100 kHz.
200-km long fiber ring laser for multiplexing fiber Bragg gratings arrays
This work proposes and demonstrates a 200 km long distance fiber ring laser for multiplexing arrays of FBGs. Unlike previous long distance reported fiber lasers, the system in based on a ring cavity which involves that the amplified transmitted signal travels in a different fiber than the signal reflected by the FBGs. This fact helps to avoid the most limiting factors when the distance between the sensor and the processing unit needs to be increased. To our knowledge, this is the longest reported fiber laser system with remote sensing capability; it is also able to multiplex 7 fiber Bragg gratings, while previous ultra-long systems only multiplex up to 4. In addition, due to the mode operation of the system, it is a low noise configuration, thus the OSNR of all the sensors is high enough to interrogate them 200 km away from the monitoring station.
Wavelength division multiplexing technique for grating panel-based fiber optic sensor
Optical fibers can be used as promising sensors in smart structures due to their novel characteristics. This paper presents a wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) technique in order to improve the application capacity of single reflective grating based fiber optic sensors to monitor large industrial structures at multiple points. The models are appropriate for the general extrinsic fiber optic sensors such as the grating panel-based fiber optic sensor. The manufactured WDM fiber optic sensor system was examined in order to demonstrate the feasibility for two parameter detections at two points using mirror mounted grating based fiber optic sensor.
Dynamical strain sensing via discrete reflectors interrogated by optical frequency domain reflectometry
Oren Y. Sagiv, Dror Arbel, Yinon Katz, et al.
Dynamical sensing of strain via discrete reflectors interrogated by optical frequency domain reflectometry is described and demonstrated experimentally. The benefits of using discrete reflectors rather than Rayleigh back-scattering for dynamical measurements are elaborated. The method is tested in a sensor arm made from four discrete fiber segments of different lengths and in a fiber with an array of ten fiber Bragg gratings with the same center wavelength and ~0.5% reflection. Dynamical sensing of oscillatory strain at 100 Hz, with absolute stretching amplitude <100nm, at ~1km is demonstrated.
Poster Session 3: Fiber Optic Gyroscopes, New Fibers and Coating Materials, Distributed Sensing, Sensor cont.
icon_mobile_dropdown
Hybrid linear and circular polarization Er-doped fiber ring laser gyroscopes
Ke Li, Jue Su, Li Yang, et al.
A bidirectional single-longitudinal-mode Er-doped fiber ring laser was proposed. Based on it, a fiber laser gyroscope was demonstrated. With circularly polarized lights in the Er-doped fiber, and linearly polarized lights in the rest part of the ring, a reciprocal structure was obtained, and the spatial hole burning effect was suppressed. In the experiments, the lock-in threshold rotation rate was 6 o/s. When the rotation rate was beyond 6 o/s, a beat RF signal of over 30-dB noise was observed and a good linear relation between the beat frequency shift and cavity rotation rate were obtained. Finally, the beat frequency stability was tested for 20 o/s clockwise cavity rotation.
Design in depolarized FOGs using effective model and genetic algorithm
Yu-Lung Lo, Chih-Chung Yen, Yi-Fan Chung, et al.
This study combines the methods of the Stokes parameters and genetic algorithm (GA) with the mathematical model in the depolarized fiber optic gyroscope (FOG) for finding the optimal structure of FOG. An effective model to simulate a SM fiber coil and genetic algorithm for finding minimum bias errors are proposed for solving the problems of polarization errors and signal-fading in the depolarized FOG. As a result of analysis in model, the minimum bias error can be found as 4.4×10-5 °/hour with 1000 m in length of the fiber coil. As the authors' knowledge, this is the first idea in simulating the effective parameters of a SM fiber coil and using GA in finding the optimal structure for the depolarized fiber optic gyroscope.
Radiation resistant fibers with depressed claddings for fiber optic gyro sensing coil
A. M. Kurbatov, R. A. Kurbatov
A two kinds of single mode optical fiber are described: three-layer with depressed fluorine clad (W-fiber) Panda with Nitrogen core, and isotropic fiber with pure (undoped) quartz core and two fluorine claddings (narrow and wide). Both of these fibers could be used in fiber optic gyro sensing coil operating in space radiation environment.
Frequency noise characteristics of a narrow-linewidth DFB semiconductor laser in resonator fiber optic gyro
Guhong Zhang, Huilian Ma, Zhonghe Jin
It is important to study the frequency noise of the laser characteristics in a resonator fiber optic gyro. A measurement of the power spectral density of optic frequency noise is introduced into a resonator fiber optic gyro. An optic optimum criterion for the frequency stabilization loop of the resonator fiber optic gyro is proposed, especially for the reduction of the locking residual error and the widening of the gyro bandwidth.
Advanced techniques for evaluating the quality of fiber gyro coils
Zhuo Meng, X. Steve Yao, Zhihong Li, et al.
We present several advanced techniques for evaluating the quality of fiber gyro coils, including characterizing the temperature and vibration transient characteristics of fiber coils, monitoring polarization-maintaining fiber (PMF) coil winding quality using distributed polarization crosstalk analyzer (DPXA) during production, and the defect detection of fiber coil using optical coherence tomography (OCT). To the best of authors' knowledge, this is the first report of using OCT for fiber coil inspection. The use of these new techniques can effectively improve and guarantee the quality of the fiber gyro coils.
Optimization of frequency stabilization loop for resonator fiber optic gyro
Xuhui Yu, Huilian Ma, Zhonghe Jin
A frequency stabilization loop based on the proportional integrator is used in the resonator fiber optic gyro. Proper loop parameters are important to the reciprocal noise suppression, the response speed improvement and loop stabilization. The loop parameters such as the time constant of the low-pass filter, the loop gain, the integration time and the loop delay are analyzed deeply and then optimized. A rotation result of ±0.05°/s has been carried out.
Dependences of Brillouin frequency shift on strain and temperature in optical fibers doped with rare-earth ions
Brillouin scattering properties in rare-earth-doped fibers, including Nd3+-doped, Tm3+-doped, Sm3+-doped, and Ho3+/Tm3+ co-doped fibers, can potentially be controlled at high speed by pumping, but there has been no report on their detailed investigations. In this study, the Brillouin gain spectra (BGS) in such rare-earth-doped single-mode fibers are measured, for the first time to the best of our knowledge, at 1.55 μm without pumping, and the Brillouin frequency shift (BFS) and its dependences on strain and temperature are investigated. Clear BGS was observed for the Nd3+-doped and Tm3+-doped fibers, but BGS was not detected for the Sm3+-doped and Ho3+/Tm3+ co-doped fibers probably because of their extremely high propagation losses at 1.55 μm and small Brillouin gain coefficients. The BFS of the Nd3+-doped fiber was ~10.82 GHz, and its strain and temperature coefficients were 466 MHz/% and 0.726 MHz/K, respectively. As for the Tm3+-doped fiber, the BFS was ~10.90 GHz, and its strain and temperature coefficients were 433 MHz/% and 0.903 MHz/K, respectively. These measurement results are compared with those of silica fibers.
Polarization-maintaining fiber with wide temperature resistance
Yutaka Endoh, Kazuyuki Hayashi, Katsuaki Izoe, et al.
We have developed a polarization-maintaining fiber with wide temperature resistance and low bending loss. Attenuation, polarization crosstalk, and bending loss at 1550 nm of the fiber are 0.88 dB/km, -24 dB/100m, 1/100 as large as those of conventional one (bending diameter = 20 mm, 10 turns), respectively. Besides, the polarization crosstalk is less than -24 dB/100m at a temperature in the range of -60 to +300oC. As a result this fiber can be used over a wide range of temperature.
Development of a sensitive fiber optic sensor monitoring NO based on vicinal diaminobenzoacridine fluorophore
Liyun Ding, Chao Fan, Jun Huang, et al.
A new fiber optic sensor has been developed for determination of NO using a fluorescent vicinal diaminobenzoacridine (VDABA) probe. The sensitive membrane was prepared from cellulose acetate (CA) embedded with VDABA, which caused a fluorescence recovery based on a photoelectron transfer (PET) mechanism. Modulation of optical phase shift of the sensor is observed with different NO concentrations. Under optimum conditions, a linear calibration (r2=0.9902) was obtained in the range of 1.0×10-8 to 1.0×10-5 mol/L NO concentration with a detection limit of 1.0×10-9 mol/L (S/N=3). This sensor was successfully applied to the determination of NO in the rabbit serum.
Brillouin frequency shift dependences on temperature and strain in PMMA-based polymer optical fibers estimated by acoustic velocity measurement
Neisei Hayashi, Yosuke Mizuno, Daisuke Koyama, et al.
We estimated the dependences of Brillouin frequency shift (BFS) on temperature and strain in poly(methyl methacrylate)-based polymer optical fibers using ultrasonic pulse-echo technique at ~10 MHz. The estimated BFS dependence on temperature was linear with a coefficient of approximately -17 MHz/K at 650 nm pump, which was -34 times larger than that of silica fibers at 650 nm pump. In contrast, its strain dependence was found to be nonlinear, probably originating from the elastic-to-plastic transition.
Theoretical and experimental analysis of the birefringence in embedded-core hollow optical fibers
Chunying Guan, Xiaozhong Tian, Di Gao, et al.
We propose a novel embedded-core hollow optical fiber composed of a central circular air hole and a semi-elliptical core embedded in an annular cladding. Both the phase birefringence and group birefringence are investigated based on the finite element method (FEM). The embedded-core hollow optical fiber has polarization-preserving properties. The birefringence magnitude of the proposed fibers is the same order as that of the side-hole optical fiber. The theoretical results reveal that the birefringence of embedded-core hollow optical fibers can reach the order of 10-4. The group birefringence of the fiber is obtained by using the wavelength scanning technique and can reach 4.7×10-5. The measurement results are basically consistent with the theoretical simulations.
Fabrication of coaxial dual-waveguide structured optical fiber with an annular waveguide layer
T. Zhang, G. Y. Liu, Z. C. Fan, et al.
A coaxial dual-waveguide structured optical fiber with an annular waveguide layer (CDOF) is designed and its preparation method is provided thereof. The responding preform is fabricated by MCVD technique and then is drawn by a custom-made fiber drawing tower. The optical fiber has a common fiber core and an annular waveguide layer on the outer surface of the optical fiber. The refractive index profile is measured by a refracted near-field technique and a standard cutback technique. The fiber can be applied in a novel optical fiber device or an optical fiber sensor, for example, in-fiber integrated Michelson or Mach-Zehnder interferometer.
Design of a novel quasi-Airy beam generator: Airy optical fiber
We report and demonstrate a novel quasi-Airy beam generator based on a microstructured optical fiber: Airy optical fiber. We show that the three Airy beam characteristics are inherited or partially inherited for the output optical beam from the Airy optical fiber end, i.e. the ability of beam accelerating, beam diffraction-free and self healing. The simulation results are agreement with the theoretical analysis of the theoretical model.
A wavelength division multiplexer based on a cocentric core fiber
Enming Zhao, Tuo Zheng, Ai Zhou, et al.
We report and demonstrate a new type of fiber wavelength division multiplexer based on central-circular cocentric core fiber. Using splicing technique to connect the central-circular cocentric core fiber and single mode fiber, then, tapering at the fusion point of two fibers. The light source whose wavelengths are 980nm and 1480nm input from the single mode fiber, then two wavelengths transferred separate well at the tapering area of the cocentric fiber. The simulation results are agreement with the theoretical analysis of the theoretical model.
An integration strain sensor based on symmetrical twin-core fiber
Guangping Li, Ai Zhou, Quan Xu, et al.
A novel integrated fiber-optic sensor based on a symmetrical twin-core fiber was proposed and demonstrated as a strain sensor. By heating and tapering the symmetrical twin-core fiber, the light from one core can be partly or completely coupled into the other core in the coupled zone as the twin-core fiber was pulling. By detecting the output power of any one core, the strain applied on the twin-core fiber can be detected. The output power of twin core fiber versus the applied strain was experimentally investigated, and the results showed that the twin-core fiber can be used as a strain sensor.
Input-polarization-induced phase noise in interferometric fiber-optic sensors and its reduction using polarization diversity receivers
Huizu Lin, Lina Ma, Yongming Hu
The random fluctuation in the input polarization to an interferometric optical fiber sensor can result in not only the variation of the visibility but also the generation of excess phase noise in the output. In this paper, the relationship between the visibility and polarization-induced phase noise coefficient is described and theoretically confirmed. The use of polarization diversity receivers (PDR) to reduce phase noise is theoretically and experimentally demonstrated. The result shows that the PDR that improves the visibility can reduce the polarization-induce phase noise and the signal can be correctly demodulated.
Photonic generation of microwave signal using a dual-wavelength fiber ring laser with CMFBG filter and saturable absorber
Suchun Feng, Wanjing Peng, Qi Li, et al.
A simple approach for photonic generation of microwave signal using a dual-wavelength single-longitudinal-mode erbium-doped fiber ring laser is proposed and demonstrated. For the first time, a chirped moiré fiber Bragg grating (CMFBG) filter with ultra-narrow transmission band and a chirped fiber Bragg grating are used to select the longitudinal mode. The stable single longitudinal mode operation is guaranteed by the combination of the CMFBG filter and 3m unpumped erbium-doped fiber acting as a saturable absorber. Stable dual-wavelength single longitudinal mode fiber laser with a wavelength spacing of approximately 0.140nm are experimentally realized. By beating the dual-wavelength fiber laser at a photodetector, photonic generation of microwave signal at 17.682GHz is successfully obtained.
Superstructured FBG based optical encoder/decoder for highly-confidential 40 Gbps telecommunication network
Koji Omichi, Ryujiro Nomura, Ryosuke Matsumoto, et al.
40 Gbps optical encoding/decoding is demonstrated utilizing 8-level phase codes, 8 grating chips and 2.6 mm long superstructured fiber Bragg grating (SSFBG). Novel refractive index profile is applied to the SSFBG to obtain highlyrecognizable performance of encoding signal and highly-confidential decoding signal. Time-spreading optical codes are clearly observed from the encoding signals, and over 13 dB power contrast ratio is confirmed from the decoding signals.
Dual-π-phase-shift distributed feedback fiber laser for strain sensing
Xiaolei Zhang, Gangding Peng, Chang Wang, et al.
A dual-π-phase shift distributed fiber laser (DFB FL) with symmetric structure is investigated as a strain sensor. The sensing performances under both monolithic and local axial strain are discussed by use of transfer matrix method. While the two lasing wavelengths of dual-π-phase shift DFB FL experience the same change as that of single-η-phase shift DFB FL under monolithic strain, their wavelength interval changes with local strain. And the strain sensitivity of beat frequency is calculated to be 70.6 MHz/με while one phase shift area is insensitive.
Noise floor analysis of the phase demodulation scheme using a 3×3 coupler
The noise floor of the phase demodulation scheme using a 3×3 coupler was analyzed, where the signal was demodulated by linear combination of the three outputs and digital inverse arctangent approach. According to our study, the noise floor has connection with the noise intensity, noise correlation and initial phase. The approximate expressions to calculate the noise floor were deduced and validated by simulations with input Gaussian white noise. Experiment results show that the predicted noise floor distribution as a function of initial phase agreed well with the experiment results. The noise floor of the experiment system was below 0.70 μrad/√Hz@1kHz.
Light power sensor by using a photosensitive liquid crystal hybrid film on side polished fiber
Jianhui Yu, Haozhi Li, V. K. Hsiao, et al.
A novel light power sensor is demonstrated by using side polished fiber (SPF) overlaid with a photoresponsive liquid crystal hybrid film. The mixture of 15%Azo, 20% ZLI811, and 65% nematic liquid crystal is overlaid on the flat area of SPF to form a mixture film of ~30m thickness. The film is irradiated by light of wavelength of 405nm through a phase mask with a period of ~528nm. An absorption peak in the transmission spectrum of 1520-1620nm of optical fiber is observed. Experiment shows that the wavelength of absorption peak will shift toward shorter wavelength as the irradiation power increases. The change of wavelength of absorption peak is approximately linear to the irradiation power while the irradiation powers are between 30-80mw in our initial experiments. The measured sensitivity of light power is about 1.154pm/uW for the demonstrated sensor.
Wide range group delay tuning in lossy fiber ring resonators
We demonstrate theoretically and experimentally that a wide-range tuning of group delay values can be achieved in a lossy fiber ring resonator. The tuning mechanism relies simply on varying the loss/coupling ratio in the resonator. This simple structure may be used advantageously in different regimes for many sensing configurations, both for achieving extremely high sensitivity enhancements (by working close to critical coupling, where the group index becomes extremely large) or suppression of undesired refractive index effects (e.g. Kerr effect), by working in the under-coupled regime.
Individual or simultaneous temperature and strain monitoring by high birefringence fiber loop mirror with reduced cross sensitivity
Individual or simultaneous monitoring of the temperature and strain variations by use of the high birefringence fiber loop mirror is newly proposed and demonstrated with reduced cross sensitivity. It is accomplished by incorporating two types of high birefringence fibers in the loop arm, which are spliced together to act as the compact sensing head. By properly choosing their birefringence, cutting their lengths and setting their relative orientation with respect to the primary axes, the temperature and strain may be individually or simultaneously measured with the effectively reduced cross sensitivity.
Integral temperature hybrid laser sensor
C. A. Galindez, L. Rodriguez-Cobo, F. Anabitarte, et al.
An integral temperature sensor based on Brillouin laser ring that is feed by a Fourier Domain mode-locking (FDML) laser is here proposed. The source FDML laser ring emits at 1532 nm within a range of 5 nm. The working wavelength is given by tuning the offset voltage applied to a Fabry-Perot tunable filter (FFP-TF). In the present work, the FDML laser linewidth is set at 0.136 nm. This linewidth allows a more efficient Brillouin response in the optical fiber without increasing the Brillouin threshold. The FDML laser linewidth is controlled by setting the amplitude modulation of the drive signal offset applied on the FFP-TF.
Distributed pressure measurement by Brillouin scattering dynamic grating for a two side holes fiber
S. Nouri Jouybari, H. Latifi, Z. Chenari
In some of the optical fiber pressure sensors, the pressure on the fiber is converted to the strain along the fiber by a mechanical transducer and the strain is measured. As the transducer causes many limitations in sensing process, we used stimulated Brillouin scattering generated dynamic grating for distributed measurement of direct pressure without any transducer in this paper. The sensitivity of the dynamic grating characteristic to the pressure loaded on the fiber for a two side holes fiber is calculated, for the first time. The effects of the fiber parameters on the pressure sensitivity of dynamic grating are discussed.
Optical fiber properties influence on strain coefficient Cε of Brillouin frequency shift
Y. Sikali Mamdem, F. Taillade, Y. Jaouën, et al.
Usually, strain and temperature coefficients of Brillouin frequency shift (BFS) of optical fibers result from experimental measurements. For the first time, theoretical strain dependence of BFS is analyzed depending on fiber properties. Based on a FEM-2D modeling, the strain coefficient Cε is determined considering geometrical profile, doping composition and drawing conditions. Theoretical results showed great accordance with measurements for different types of single-mode fibers. The Cε coefficient is evaluated with a relative uncertainty better than 8%. Significant Cε magnitude variation has been observed depending on doping profile. This paves the way towards major improvement of strain optical fiber sensors.
Distributed fiber optic pressure sensors based on a photonic crystal
Wen-hui Ding, Yi Jiang
A distributed fiber optic pressure sensor based on a piece of the photonic crystal fiber (PCF) is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. The sensor is fabricated by splicing the PCF with a single-mode fiber (SMF), and the free end face of the PCF is filmed with a reflectivity of 99%. A Michelson interferometer is formed in the PCF. The pressure position can be located by measuring the phase difference of the interferometer, and the pressure can be interrogated by measuring the amplitude of the optical spectrum. The experimental results show that the pressure and its position along the PCF can be simultaneously interrogated.
Study on multi-channel distributed fiber optic gas monitoring system
Zheng-ying Li, Ying Xie
This paper presents a method using tunable diode laser spectroscopy and wavelength modulation technology to realize the research of multi-channel distributed fiber optic gas monitoring system. The sensor probe consist of gas cell and fiber optic without any circuit, therefore this system can realize the prediction and forewarning of gas concentration of non-electrical, long-distant, on-line and distributed. The experiment shows four channels fiber optic gas monitoring system is not influenced by variation of fiber length, and the system can get a correct detection of methane concentration value.
Improvement of pulse shape on Brillouin optical time domain reflectometry
Yunqi Hao, Qing Ye, Zhengqing Pan, et al.
The signal noise ratio (SNR) enhancement of spontaneous Brillouin scattering spectrum on Brilloluin optical time domain reflectometry (BOTDR) sensing system have been demonstrated experimentally through changing the pulse shape. With the same pulse width, the SNRs of the coherent detection power spectrum for trapezoidal pulse and triangular pulse increase relative to that of rectangular pulse. The sensing distances are also increased. This will be helpful to improve the spatial resolution or achieve longer sensing distance in the BOTDR sensing system.
Single-ended distributed Brillouin sensing with high spatial resolution
A novel single-ended distributed fiber sensor based on stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) with high spatial resolution is proposed and experimentally validated. This single-ended technique is based on modulated optical long pulse that consists of two sidebands. The probe wave is obtained by an attenuator and Fresnel reflection. The spatial resolution is only limited by the fall-time of the long pulse without secondary "echo" phenomena. In addition, the configuration of this single-ended technique is very simple and has no need to spend extra measurement time compared with conventional BOTDA.
Brillouin optical time domain reflectometry using a reference Brillouin ring laser
Xuping Zhang, Rugang Wang, Yuguo Yao
A single frequency Brillouin fiber laser used as a local oscillator for Brillouin optical time domain reflectometry (BOTDR) is designed and developed without using expensive instruments or complicated system. A BOTDR with this reference Brillouin laser for distributed measurement over 53km sensing fiber has been experimentally demonstrated. Experimental results show that the system can accurately measure the Brillouin scattering spectrum distribution with a much lower frequency bandwidth detector.
Spatial resolution improvement based on intensity modulation in measurement of Brillouin dynamic grating localized by correlation domain technique
Rodrigo Kendy Yamashita, Zuyuan He, Kazuo Hotate
We demonstrated that intensity modulation synchronized with laser frequency modulation enhances the spatial resolution in the measurement of Brillouin dynamic grating (BDG) spectrum localized by the correlation domain technique. Following the correlation domain principle, the stimulated Brillouin scattering is localized in so-called correlation peak, but the peak actually has side lobes which excite the BDG out of the peak region. To overcome this, we applied intensity modulation and apodize the optical spectrum of the participating waves to suppress the side lobes. We confirmed spatial resolution improvement from 75 cm to 17 cm in a measurement fiber of 500 m.
Verification of Brillouin optical correlation domain reflectometry by numerical simulation
Sitthipong Manotham, Masato Kishi, Zuyuan He, et al.
Numerical simulation method is proposed for Brillouin optical correlation domain reflectometry in order to verify the characteristics in strain or temperature distributed sensing. The simulation results for the Brilluion gain spectrum obtained by the system agree well with previous theoretical analysis and experimental results, which make us understand more this reflectometry for further performance improvements.
The use of Walsh functions in modulating pump light of high-spatial-resolution BOTDA with NRZ pulses
Mohd Saiful Dzulkefly Bin Zan, Tatsuya Tsumuraya, Tsuneo Horiguchi
We have previously introduced phase modulation into pulsed pump of Brillouin Optical Time Domain Analysis (BOTDA) in order to obtain high spatial resolution. In this study, we propose to use Walsh functions in coding nonreturn- to-zero (NRZ) formatted pump pulses of the high-spatial-resolution BOTDA to increase signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Contrary to previous reports, it is numerically and experimentally verified that the use of the Walsh functions in the high-spatial-resolution BOTDA allows the increase in SNR without deteriorating its spatial resolution expected. We demonstrate measurements with 1.5 dB improvement in SNR and with approximately 0.2 m spatial resolution.
Birefringence distribution mapping in optical fibers with a coherent polarization-OTDR
Shuangshou Yang, Xiuzhen Wei, Chao Gao, et al.
We propose a new Polarization-OTDR system to measure the distribution of birefringence. The evolution of state of polarization(SOP) is detected utilizing the coherent Rayleigh scattering light in two fibers (Reference fiber and fiber under test). The birefringence is calculated based on Jones matrix, and the trace of Jones matrix can describe the magnitude of birefringence. The resolution and SNR of coherent Polarization-OTDR is significantly improved.
Photonic doppler velocimetry system based on bare fiber probe
Jian Wang, Chong-lian Bi, Hong-liang Xiang, et al.
It is proposed to use bare fiber bundle as probes of photonic Doppler velocimetry (PDV) system to improve the spatial resolution of measurement. Two-point velocity measurement with spatial resolution of 375μm is experimentally realized. Because of smaller probe spacing, the measuring results obtained from a probe would be influenced by the reflected light from another probe. Theoretical and experimental results show that the measuring results are not affected by the stray light when the target surface has the same velocity, and the measuring errors are related not only with the velocity difference of two points but also with the intensities and the initial phases of the sensing and stray light when the target surface has different velocity.
Raman-assisted DPP-BOTDA sensor employing Simplex coding with sub-meter scale spatial resolution over 93 km standard SMF
Differential pulse-width-pair BOTDA technique is combined with bi-directional Raman amplification and Simplex coding to achieve sub-meter spatial resolution over very long sensing distances. Numerical simulations are used to optimize the power levels of the Raman pumps, avoiding nonlinear effects and pump depletion. Distortions in the Brillouin gain spectrum due to acoustic-wave pre-excitation are also avoided by numerical optimization of the pulse width and duty cycle of return-to-zero Simplex coding, providing significant SNR enhancement. We demonstrate 50 cm spatial resolution over 93 km of standard SMF with a strain/temperature accuracy of 34με/1.7 °C, respectively.
Simultaneous multi-point measurement of refractive index using optical fiber sensor based on an arrayed-waveguide grating
Ji-Hui Li, Chun-Liu Zhao, Chong-Ke Ji
A simple Fresnel reflection-based optic fiber refractometer for simultaneous multi-point refractive index measurement based on an Arrayed-Waveguide Grating (AWG) is proposed. Different channel lights divided by the AWG are marked with different central wavelengths and their Fresnel reflective lights from the fiber-solution interfaces are used to measure the refractive indies of the inserted different solutions at the same time. The refractive index sensitivity for each channel sensing head reaches up to 157.1dB/RIU.
Mechanism of refractive index distribution measurement based on etched fiber Bragg grating
Bin-bin Luo, Ming-fu Zhao, Xiao-jun Zhou, et al.
We present the mechanism of refractive index (RI) distribution measurement based on an etched fiber Bragg grating (FBG) with a residual diameter of about 5.73 μm. The etched FBG is installed in a micro-tube where the RI of the liquid medium decreases linearly alone its axis. Experimental results show that the sensitivity of RI gradient and the average sensitivity of RI of this sensor is 336.2 nm·mm/RIU and 49.44 nm/RIU, respectively, when the RI ranging from 1.330 to 1.3586. The RI distribution of the inhomogeneous liquid medium can be obtained by the RI gradient sensitivity and the average RI sensitivity.
Distributed optical fiber vibration waveform sensing system based on compensating interferometer
Jun Wang, Shuidong Xiong, Xun Liang, et al.
A distributed optical fiber vibration sensing system based on compensating interferometer is established and a distributed optical fiber vibration waveform detecting technology based on a MZ compensating interferometer and compensating interference of Rayleigh backscattering lights in adjacent areas is put forward. In laboratory experiment, the sensing fiber is a 2500m SM fiber. By exerting 500Hz PZT vibration signals on the fiber at 40m, 430m, and 2500m, the locations of the signals are obtained by phase demodulation. But there is a crosstalk at 40m because of multiple scatterings. The spatial resolution is 40m and the SNR is 18dB.
Hydrogen influence on Brillouin and Rayleigh distributed temperature or strain sensors
S. Delepine-Lesoille, J. Bertrand, L. Lablonde, et al.
Distributed optical fiber sensors are a clue technology for the monitoring of geological repository for long-lived nuclear wastes. Environment includes hydrogen whose influence on Rayleigh and Brillouin scatterings is experimentally evaluated. Induced propagation losses are quantified, as a function of wavelength and fiber dopants. 1310nm resulted the most favorable working wavelength. Distance range would anyway be reduced down to a hundred meter. We show hydrogen also induces Brillouin frequency shifts, up to 21MHz which corresponds to large temperature and strain measuring errors if not corrected. Fluorine fibers appeared more sensitive for short hydrogen exposure than other tested fibers.
Time division multiplexing optical time domain reflectometry by directly synthesizing heterodyne intermediate frequency
A time division multiplexing optical time domain reflectometry (TDM-OTDR) based on multi-frequency probe light and directly synthesizing heterodyne intermediate frequencies (IFs) is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. Five time division multiplexing probe frequencies are obtained by synchronous control of an arbitrary waveform generator and a phase modulator. Experimental results achieve 6.5dB dynamic range enhancement, compared with conventional coherent OTDR.
Investigation on threshold of stimulated Raman scattering in optical fibers
Yuanhong Yang, Ting Jiang, Wei Jin, et al.
The evolutions of residual pump power and forward Raman Stokes scattering light power with increasing pump power level are investigated by numerical simulation. The Stokes power variation shows obviously threshold characteristic which is similar to that of laser diode, and the pump power corresponding to the maximum of the second derivative of the Raman Stokes signal vs. pump power curve was defined as the pump threshold. A threshold equation was obtained by fitting the results obtained for different fiber characteristic parameters β. Simple experiments were carried out with a pulse pump laser and a 24 km long single mode fiber, and the experimental results agree well with the result obtained threshold equation numerically.
Brillouin gain spectrum characteristics for temperature compensation in fiber optic distributed strain sensor
Aleksander Wosniok
We studied Brillouin gain spectrum characteristics in single-mode optical fibers with different refractive index profiles to realize temperature-corrected distributed strain measurement. The measured Brillouin frequency shift (BFS) features much stronger dependence on the longitudinal strain in the sensor fiber than on the temperature distribution along the fiber optic sensor. By detection of slight structural changes in monitored civil structures, such as dams, pipelines and tunnels, the influence of temperature on the measured BFS cannot be neglected.
Reflection properties of Brillouin dynamic gratings in coiled single-mode fibers
Shinya Takigawa, Tsuneo Horiguchi
Brillouin dynamic gratings (BDGs) have been usually created in polarization maintaining fibers (PMFs). In this study, we use conventional single-mode fibers (SMFs) which are coiled with care. In addition, we derive approximations of the BDG properties based on the moving fiber Bragg grating (FBG) model. We find the experiments agree well with the calculations in terms of fundamental BDG properties: frequency offset, reflectance, bandwidth. Our results therefore reinforce the previous reports on the BDGs in which the agreement between calculations and experiments was not satisfactory. Furthermore, our results suggest the possibility of locating bent fibers with high sensitivity.
Ultra-sensitivity, ultra-large dynamic all-fiber optical coherence domain polarimetry
Jun Yang, Yonggui Yuan, Jun Chai, et al.
An all-fiber optical coherence domain polarimetry (OCDP) is presented, which can increase the detection sensitivity and dynamic range simultaneously. An all-fiber OCDP system has been built, and the detecting sensitivity of polarization crosstalk can reach -98dB, meanwhile, the dynamic range can keep in 98dB. This method realizes the highest performance of the date OCDP technology, and provides an effective measurement and evaluation tools for high performance fiber optic devices and sensor system.
High performance phase demodulator for interferometric optical fiber sensor using novel ameliorated PGC algorithm
Guoqing Wang, Tuanwei Xu, Fang Li
We demonstrate a high performance phase demodulator for interferometric optical fiber sensor using novel ameliorated PGC algorithm. Theoretical and experimental results show that the novel ameliorated PGC algorithm has the high stability of resist rapid change of light and low harmonic distortion advantages. Experiment results show that phase demodulator has a resolution of 2×10-5 rad / √Hz, a dynamic range of 112 dB @ 50 Hz, a linearity of better than 0.9999 and a THD of below 0.1 %.
Brillouin sensing for perimetric detection: the SmartFence project
P. Ferdinand, S. Rougeault, N. Roussel, et al.
Security is a rising market, and solutions based on distributed sensing provide answers adapted to requests of citizens and industrials. We developed the SMARTFENCE concept, to provide an innovative solution for enhanced perimeter security of critical infrastructures. It includes a new kind of optical cable deployed on fences, a Brillouin instrumentation, and a dedicated signal processing. Several 20 m-long fences were equipped with such sensing cable and tested by commandos, then intrusion signals were used to develop the signal processing. Field trials resulted in a very sensitive solution, thanks to an innovative deployment procedure of optical cables on fences. The project ends with a long term demonstration: an electrical substation, 670 m perimeter, has been equipped with the fiber sensing cable, on two fence levels. This validation provides an important experience feedback and the monitoring system validation.
Bipolar pulse coding for enhanced performance in Brillouin distributed optical fiber sensors
We propose and experimentally demonstrate the possibility to use a pump signal based on bipolar pulse sequences using single-sideband suppressed-carrier (SSB-SC) modulation in Brillouin optical time-domain analysis (BOTDA) sensors. The SSB-SC modulated pump makes a sequential use of the Brillouin gain and loss spectra, increasing the intensity contrast of the measurements. The method is demonstrated using bipolar Golay codes along a 50 km sensing fiber and 2 m spatial resolution. Results indicate that the use of bipolar sequences provides a higher SNR enhancement and stronger robustness to pump depletion in comparison to BOTDA systems employing conventional unipolar sequences.
Impacts of Kerr effect and fiber dispersion on long-range Brillouin optical time-domain analysis systems
Yongkang Dong, Hongying Zhang, Zhiwei Lu, et al.
In this paper, we theoretically and experimentally investigate the impacts of Kerr effect and fiber dispersion on longrange Brillouin optical time-domain analysis (BOTDA) systems. The results show that the self-phase modulation (SPM, Kerr effect) can induce considerable continuum spectral broadening on a Gaussian pump pulse at a relative low power for both normal and anomalous dispersion fibers; with the cooperative effect of SPM and anomalous dispersion, the modulation instability can cause discrete spectral broadening on a square pump pulse at a relative high power. The detrimental effect of pump pulse spectral broadening could reduce the performance and sensing-range.
Continuous wavelet transform for non-stationary vibration detection with phase-OTDR
Zengguang Qin, Liang Chen, Xiaoyi Bao
This paper proposed using continuous wavelet transform to analyze the non-stationary vibration in the distributed vibration sensor based on phase optical time domain reflectometry (OTDR). The continuous wavelet transform approach allows detection of both the frequency and time information of vibration simultaneously. Distributed vibration measurements of 200Hz and 200 Hz to1 kHz sweep events over 20cm length have been demonstrated using the single mode fiber.
Sweep-free Brillouin time-domain analysis (SF-BOTDA) with improved spatial resolution
Asher Voskoboinik, Alan E. Willner, Moshe Tur
Sweep-free Brillouin optical time domain analysis (SF-BOTDA), which uses multi pump and probe tones for a much faster determination of the Brillouin frequency shift, has suffered from a trade-off between the required spatial resolution and the inter-tone frequency spacing. A new implementation of the technique, involving a novel sequencing of the probe signal with respect to the pump multi-tone pulse, together with advanced post-processing, removes this trade-off, allowing the method to achieve spatial resolutions comparable to those of classical BOTDA without sacrificing tone granularity. A spatial resolution of 2m is experimentally demonstrated.
Performance tests of PM optical fiber coupler based on optical coherence domain polarimetry
Wu Bing, Jun Yang, Yonggui Yuan, et al.
A method using all-fiber Optical Coherence Domain Polarimetry (OCDP) for polarization performance tests of PM coupler is presented in this paper. It aims to measure distributed polarization crosstalk of different devices such as coupler power coupling part, input fiber or output fiber. An all-fiber OCDP system has been built based on white light interference theory, and the detecting sensitivity of polarization crosstalk and dynamic range are better than 85 dB, meanwhile, spatial resolution reaches ±5cm. Extinction ratio, the quality of optical path connection in the 2×2 PM coupler have been measured. The results show that all-fiber OCDP has advantages to lumped extinction ratio test. This measurement provides an effective testing method for research and development of high-performance PM coupler and beam splitter.
Research on coherent Rayleigh backscattering and signal processing method in phase-OTDR
Xueyi Chen, Xiaolei Zhang, Bing Yan, et al.
There have been a number of papers focusing on fiber distributed sensing with coherent Rayleigh backscattering published. However, up to now, very limited research articles on investigation of coherent Rayleigh backscattering signal waveform and its physical mechanism have been reported. This paper first proposes a theoretical derivation to illustrate coherent Rayleigh backscattering waveform. The theoretical model is then proved with numerical simulation and experimental measurement. In addition, signal processing method is an important factor on the performance of a phasesensitive OTDR system. An improvement of signal processing method, which is consisted of digital average, moving average and interval subtraction, with good effect on locating external perturbation is also introduced.
Brillouin scattering based sensor in high gamma dose environment: design and optimization of optical fiber for long-term distributed measurement
X. Phéron, J. Bertrand, S. Girard, et al.
Brillouin sensing is an interesting technology to monitor strain inside large civil engineering structures like nuclear waste repository. In radiative environments, performance degradation of Brillouin systems still needs to be investigated. In this paper, we fully characterized the Brillouin response of two different optical fibers, including the SMF28 fiber from Corning, under high gamma doses. Radiations increase the fiber linear attenuation and can also lead to a shift in the Brillouin frequency. We reduced these effects by designing a radiation resistant optical fiber. This fiber is well adapted for distributed sensing application using Brillouin scattering in MGy dose level environment.
Life-cycle monitoring for RC structural prestress loss utilizing optical fiber distributed sensors
Prestress loss is critical to impact the safety of prestressed reinforced concrete (RC) structures. Unfortunately, up to now, there are no qualified techniques to handle this issue. This paper proposes a life-cycle concept to monitor the full-scale prestress loss of RC beams utilizing optical fiber distributed sensors. And the optical fiber distributed sensors-based smart steel strands and load cell were configured. A prestressed RC beam with embedded smart steel strands was built to illustrate the above methodology. The prestress loss data obtained from the smart steel strand and load cell agrees well, and also matches that from the theoretical code.
A hybrid Raman/FBG sensing system for simultaneous measurement of temperature and strain
Fei Peng, Zengling Ran, Yunjiang Rao, et al.
A hybrid Raman distributed temperature sensor (RDTS) and low-reflective fiber Bragg grating (LR-FBG) sensing system is proposed to achieve simultaneous measurement of distributed temperature and quasi-distributed strain. In this system, a method based on wavelength-swept optical time domain reflectometry (OTDR) is applied to interrogate the wavelength of reflective signal from the LR-FBGs with similar resonate wavelengths arranged in serial, while RDTS is realized by using the same light source. It is proved that such a Raman sensor and the LR-FBG sensor can be integrated into one system without interference by experiment.
Rating the performance of a Brillouin distributed fiber sensor
The effect of the characteristics of a generic distributed fiber sensor based on stimulated Brillouin scattering on the amplitude of the response is analyzed and a relation between the measurement noise on the time traces and the error on the determination of the Brillouin frequency shift is established. This makes possible to propose a simple figure-of-merit to fairly compare the performance of Brillouin distributed sensing systems.
Reducing location error and processing time of dual Mach-Zehnder interferometric fiber perturbation sensor using zero-crossing analysis
Xiaoping Zhang, Tiegen Liu, Kun Liu, et al.
A novel location algorithm based on zero-crossing analysis is introduced in this paper to reduce the location error and processing time of dual Mach-Zehnder interferometric (DMZI) fiber perturbation sensor. The algorithm can extract highfrequency part from original signal and obtain perturbation location using cross correlation in a very short process time. By extracting high-frequency signal, the algorithm can also acquire a low perturbation location error. Experiment results show that the perturbation location error only has 10 m and the processing time is less than 0.13s in the case of 10MHz sample rate.
Continuous online partial discharge monitoring system
Zhihao Chen, Kim Teck Ng, Jun Hong Ng, et al.
In this paper, we propose and demonstrate a new type of fiber optic sensor system for remote continuous monitoring and detection of partial discharge (PD) from power equipment. The sensing system uses an antenna which is connected to a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL). The modulated light by the PD signal is transmitted through an optical fiber and measured remotely by an optical receiver. Laboratory experiments have shown that EMOptic sensor has high sensitivity and signal to noise ratio by comparing Electromagnetic (EM) sensor and other sensors. It provides a feasible remote PD monitoring technique for power equipments. A completed prototype sensing system based on this technique has been installed in a commercial building for field trial. The system can be accessed via internet anytime and anywhere.
Desensitized encapsulation FBG sensor for smart cable in bridge
The proposed desensitized encapsulation structure solved the problem that more than 5500με test range for FBG sensor. The single steel wire with proposed FBG sensor tension test in laboratory before and after fatigue experiment showed the rationality and reliability of sensor structure. A scheme using desensitized encapsulation FBG sensor to fabricate smart cable which was compatible with production process of parallel steel wires cable was designed. The specimen cable tension test verified sensors high survival rate of the design scheme and good long-term precision after fatigue experiment. Also the actual application of smart cable was tested by one bridge during the construction and operation stage.
Carbon-coated fiber Fabry-Perot sensor for harsh environments
Xinlei Zhou, Wei Peng, Qingxu Yu
Carbon coatings on optical sensors can protect them from being corroded by H2 and H2O. In this paper, a laserinduced chemical vapor deposition device is presented to grow carbon films on the fiber Fabry-Perot sensor. The scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy are used to analyze hermetic properties of the carbon coating. Experimental results demonstrated that the carbon-coated sensor exhibited a good long-term stability in a 72MPa and 300°C environment. The fluctuation of the cavity length is only 1nm during seven months after a short-term decrease.
On-line load monitoring of a tufting needle using optical fibre Bragg grating sensors
Edmon Chehura, Giuseppe Dell'Anno, Tristan Huet, et al.
Optical fibre Bragg grating strain sensors are used to monitor the dynamic loads experienced by a tufting needle installed on a commercial robot-controlled tufting tool during the tufting of a dry carbon fibre preform. The influence of the thread and thickness of the preform lay-up were investigated. Maximum axial compression strains of ~-250 με, and bending strains of 1100 με were measured during the tufting of a 4 ply quasi-isotropic carbon fibre dry preform.
Mechanical strength of silica fiber splices after exposure to extreme temperatures
Marcus Perry, Pawel Niewczas, Michael Johnston, et al.
By using a combination of type-I and regenerated gratings, the mechanical strength of optical fiber splices after exposure to temperatures over 1300 °C was characterized. Splice strength was found to decrease with temperature with a secondorder polynomial dependence after exposure to environments hotter than 500 °C. Splices exposed to temperatures above 1300 °C were 80% more fragile than non-exposed splices. The lack of optical attenuation and the narrowing distribution of breaking strengths for higher temperatures suggest surface damage mechanisms, such as hydrolysis, play a key role in weakening post-heating and that damage mechanisms dominate over strengthening induced by crack melting.
A new-type non-contact FBG vibration detecting sensor for rotating machinery
Gang Xu, Yutang Dai, Xiaodong Niu, et al.
Currently, the vibration measurement and monitoring of the rotating machines has become the primary means of fault diagnosis. This paper proposed to develop a magnetic coupling non-contact machinery vibration detection sensor based on fiber Bragg grating (FBG). The magnetic coupling technology and elastic diaphragm are adopted to achieve the vibration detection by changing the axial strain of optical fiber. Theoretical analysis and static experiment show that the function of output wavelength and the measured spacing is exponential decrease. Dynamic vibration measurement shows that the proposed FBG diaphragm accelerometer provides a wide frequency response range (0-90Hz), identifying it as a good candidate for machinery health monitoring.
High-accuracy optical pressure sensor for gas turbine monitoring
Fabrice F. M. Maillaud, Ralf D. Pechstedt
In this paper, we present an improved optical pressure sensor system for harsh environments. By introducing temperature measurement and compensation, we were able to improve the dynamic pressure performance of the sensor and also provide accurate static pressure and temperature measurements.
An optical fiber F-P acoustic emission sensor system for the detection of steel crack initiation
Xinglin Tong, Tao Ji, Wanting Wei, et al.
In this paper, an optical fiber Fabry-Perot(F-P) acoustic emission(AE) sensor system for the detection of steel crack initiation has been investigated. The F-P sensors were fabricated by using quartz diaphragm, glass tube and fiber optic. And the signal processing circuit was designed by using an intensity demodulation method. The test of steel crack initiation was simulated by using a pencil lead break experiment. The results indicate that the F-P sensing system can detect weak AE signals at the frequency between 20 kHz and 1MHz, which could be used to on-line monitor of the steel structure health.
Model analysis of single-mode optical fiber extrinsic Fabry-Perot interferometric sensors
Weiyu Wang, Min Zhang, Qiaofeng Tan
We revise the demodulation model for single-mode optical fiber extrinsic Fabry-Perot interferometric sensors on account of mode-coupling theory and manufacturing imperfections of fiber sensors. This new model can be used to estimate the large system errors of absolute measurements and explain the big difference of demodulation results with different incident central wavelengths of light source. The measurement error of traditional free-space plane-wave model in demodulating cavity-length variation of fiber sensors is also analyzed.
Pipeline auto-mapping system based on inertial technology
Shuang Gao, Xianmu Li, Tie Lin
The precise trajectories of long gas and oil pipelines surveying is a key part of pipeline integrity management (PIM) system. This paper presents a pipeline auto-mapping system based on inertial technology. The system includes an inertial measurement unit (IMU) as the core component, odometers and a set of cartographic landmarks as the auxiliary signals. A post-processing off-line computer system receives downloaded inertial measurement, odometer, and landmarks data and though the use of Kalman filters to estimate the system state. On simulation experiments, the accuracy of integrated navigation system is approximately 0.1m per Km.
Phase noise characteristics for four-wave transmission in a long-haul interferometric fiber sensing system
W. Chen, Z. Meng, H. Zhou
Phase noise characteristics for four-wave transmission in a long-haul interferometric fiber sensing system are investigated. It is found that the phase noise in the presence and absence of four-wave mixing (FWM) is almost the same, which indicates that the influence of FWM can be negligible. It is due to that the bandwidth of the photodetector used in the fiber sensing system is often narrower than the beat frequency between FWM induced light and signal light, leading the beat noise to be filtered. This noise characteristic is different from that in the fiber communication system and provides guidance for the practical application of the interferometric fiber sensing system.
Depolarizer improvement for optical fiber vibration sensor
Toshiki Kubo, Ataru Takahashi, Nancy Zhao, et al.
An optical signal with a polarization dependence behaves as a noise signal in a vibration sensing optical fiber. To remove the noise signal, the optical fiber vibration sensor needs to have a depolarizer. Fusion splicing the polarization maintaining fiber with a 45 degree angle offset is a common method to produce the depolarizer. In this paper, we present a method to improve the depolarizer for the vibration sensor through the use of fusion splicing. We succeeded to reduce the noise with the improved depolarizer that uses a method to observe the fiber end surface of polarization maintaining fiber for analyzing the polarization plane.
Research of laser induced breakdown spectroscopy for detection of trace Cd in polluted soil
Shiqing Chen, Xiaohong Ma, Huafeng Zhao, et al.
In this article, the quantitative analysis of trace Cd in polluted soil has investigated with Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) technique by calibration. In order to improve its detection sensitivity and limit of detection (LOD), a spectral data processing approach, Radial Basis Function (RBF) neural network and Lorentz function were introduced to optimize the LIBS spectral data, was used and verified in this article. The calibration curve of Cd in soil was obtained, its linear correlation is 0.9998, and the LOD of Cd in soil is 16.5 mg/kg, in this article.
Condition monitoring of reciprocating compressor using FBG-based sensors in petrochemical industry
Yutang Dai, Gang Xu, Xiaodong Niu, et al.
Real-time, on-line measurement of key physical parameters as well as their variations is the most crucial problem for safety running of reciprocating compressors in petrochemical plants. In this paper, a method for condition monitoring and fault diagnosis of reciprocating compressor based on FBG sensors is proposed. A fiber optic accelerometer is demonstrated, which is used for detecting the vibration of crankcase, crosshead and cylinder of the compressor. FBGbased temperature sensors are used to monitor the variation of the suction/vent valve temperature. A monitoring system included hardware and software for the reciprocating compressors is developed and applied in a petrochemical plant.
A common path fibre optic based interferometric displacement sensor with enhanced range
The transfer functions of single and dual interferometric cavities were measured with 1300nm high power, tuneable fibre laser with a coherence length of 20mm. The interferrogram of the dual cavity is complex. The positions of the surfaces in the cavities were determined using Fast Fourier transforms. A feature of the dual cavity is an increase in the 'effective' coherence length of the source, illuminating a simple common path interferometer. A 4*1 optical switch was incorporated with the laser allowing near simultaneous data to be recorded from up to 4 probes. A potential application for a dual cavity probe is discussed.
Rail corrugation measurement using fiber laser accelerometers
Wenzhu Huang, Yanliang Du, Wentao Zhang, et al.
This paper presents a rail corrugation measurement system based on fiber laser accelerometers (FLAs) which are installed on the bogie of the train. When the train passes the rail with corrugation, the corrugation induced acceleration of the bogie will be detected by the FLAs. An inertial algorithm based on double integration and wavelet denoising method is proposed to accurately estimate the rail corrugation. Field test is carried out on the Datong-Qinhuangdao Railway in north China. The test results are compared with the results of a rail inspection car, which shows that the fiber laser sensing system have a good performance in rail corrugation monitoring.
Effect of temperature on methane gas concentration by tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy
Yanjie Zhao, Yanfang Li, Tingting Zhang, et al.
The effect of temperature on gas absorption characteristics is obvious. When the tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS) technique is applied to monitor the methane gas concentration, the influence of temperature must be correction in order to measure the gas concentration accurately. Based on HITRAN database, the absorption characteristics of methane near infrared spectrum with temperature have been researched. Then a multiplexed fiber optic methane monitoring system is designed and the distributed feedback (DFB) laser is employed as laser source. The effect of the temperature on the system is emphasized. The results show that it obviously improved concentration precision by compensating retrieval concentration. It is valuable references for the gas detection in practical applications.
The rail bridge bearing monitoring system base on FBG
Jun Liu, Xianhao Miao, Yong Yuan
Based on optical fiber grating sensing technology,the bridge bearing displacement was monitored for a long term online.The sensor performance and its installation method were analyzed.The structure of the monitoring system was studied,the data acquisition system was realized.The 3G network which transfered the data remotely and data storage method were discussed to build a remote data center. The composition of the database was proposed, and the relation between the displacement and the temperature for the bridge bearing was discussed on the historical data.The basis on the bridge safety monitoring was provided.
A hetero-core spliced fiber optic SPR sensor network for extensive-area natural environment monitoring
Lee See Goh, Kazuhiro Watanabe, Norihiko Shinomiya
This study discusses the development of a simple and cost-effective natural environment monitoring system constructed using a hetero-core spliced fiber optic SPR sensor by which simultaneous data communications and sensing functions can be achieved on the same line. In order to verify the data communication and sensing function of sensor in an extensive-area of 2000 meters, laboratory experiments employ a SPR sensor with 50-3-50μm core type hetero-core structure which is coated with gold (Au) at 25nm and tantalum pentoxide (Ta2O5) at 60nm. The proposed system has been developed such that the data communication and sensing function are successfully demonstrated.
Diffuse-light absorption spectroscopy for discriminating Belgian beers
A. G. Mignani, L. Ciaccheri, A. A. Mencaglia, et al.
This paper presents an optical method for authenticating Belgian beers. A set of 86 beers is considered, 50 of which were produced in Belgium, while the others worldwide. A fiber optic setup for diffuse-light absorption spectroscopy was used to achieve a turbidity-free spectroscopic information in the visible and near-infrared bands. In addition, turbidity and refractive index measurements, measured by means of conventional hand-held instrumentation, were added for completing the optical characterization. The entire optical data set was processed by means of multivariate analysis to achieve the discrimination of Belgian beers with respect to all the others.
Experimental qualification and validation of fibre optic strain sensors
Constanze Schilder, Nadine Kusche, Vivien G. Schukar, et al.
Strain sensors used in practical applications must provide reliable measurement data. To achieve this, sensor systems must be validated by using experimental facilities that enable physically independent statements about the performance of the sensor components. The paper describes qualification and validation procedures using a special facility to qualify surface-applied strain sensors and to achieve reliable sensor results. Based on examples concerning fibre optic strain sensor patches with and without FBG sensors, the determination of the strain gauge factor also under combined thermal and mechanical loading will be presented. These results are the basis for development of guidelines and standards.
Displacement monitor with FBG deforming ring and its application in high speed railway
Weilai Li, Yanxiao Zhang, Qin Wang, et al.
A displacement monitor with deforming ring is developed to ensure the FBG suspended and to avoid it to be chirped by covering glue. The mechanical analysis provides ring size to ensure suitable BFG wavelength shift extent within detected range. Two pieces of FBG are crosswise fixed on the ring and pre-drawn properly. Rail creep force of high speed railway makes one tense, the other compress. To add these two wavelength shifts, the sensitivity is doubled, and environmental temperature interference is eliminated. Its general error is ±0.25% FS; repeatability is 0.2% FS; resolution is 0.1mm; the temperature error, from -20 to 60Cº, is ±0.45mm in 50mm range.
The bridge heavy vehicle identification system based on optical fiber sensing technology
In order to meet the research of bridge health and safety monitoring system, and provide heavy vehicle load spectrum for the research, the heavy vehicle classification identification system was designed based on high-speed FBG demodulation system and FBG sensing test technology according to the structure characteristics of the large span orthotropic steel box girder cable-stayed bridge. The heavy truck load cases were designed for the loading test, and heavy vehicle classification standard was provided of the identification system according to the loading test.
Structural health monitoring of reinforced concrete beams by means of embedded fiber Bragg grating sensors
R. Montanini, F. De Domenico, F. Freni, et al.
This study aims to investigate the mechanical behavior of FRCM composite-strengthened concrete beams using embedded FBG sensors. FBG sensors were installed both on the tensioned surface of the concrete beam and on the PBO mesh woven, that had been applied using cementitious mortar without any epoxy resin. Conventional strain gauges were used to compare results measured from the FBG sensors. Under three-point bending, a marked difference between strains measured in the concrete and those gotten on the reinforcement net was observed. A theoretical model is presented to explain the observed discrepancy.
Field test of an eight-element fiber laser hydrophone array
Wentao Zhang, Fang Li, Yuliang Liu
In this paper we repot the field test of an eight-element fiber laser hydrophone (FLH) array. The design of the fiber laser hydrophone, the schematic of the array, the WDM based interrogator system, and the field test results are given. The field test results show that the eight-element FLH array have equivalent performance as piezoelectric hydrophone array.
Optical fiber sensing technology application in long span highway-railway cable-stayed bridge
The long span highway-railway cable-stayed bridge bears huge permanent load and heavy moving load. The structural internal force is the key for bridge safety operation. This paper introduces the fiber Bragg grating (FBG) strain sensor, FBG force-testing ring and FBG acceleration sensor to monitor the pivotal parameters of dynamic strain, cable force and dynamic characteristics. The bridge health monitoring system based on the three FBG sensors has been applied in Tianxingzhou bridge. The FBG sensors were monitoring during bridge construction stage, load test and normal operation. The analysis based on engineering monitoring data indicates that the data of FBG sensors are stable and reliable.
Continuous pressure and temperature monitoring in fast rotating paper machine rolls using optical FBG sensor technology
Wolfgang Ecke, Matthias W. Schmitt, Yang Shieh, et al.
A fiber optic Bragg grating (FBG) sensor and interrogation scheme has been designed to capture the momentary peak pressure forces in the nip of two adjacent paper machine rolls. The spatial distribution of these nip forces along circumference and length of the roll, for production speeds of up to 2000 m/min are investigated. Additionally, this FBG sensor system measures the temperature distribution in the roll cover. FBG sensor embedding has been optimized for the implementation of pressure force measurements in various roll cover materials. High strength draw tower grating (DTG) sensor arrays were used for the embedding process combined with spectrometric interrogation and autonomous power supply technologies. This results in an extremely robust fiber optic sensor system for operation at rotation speeds of 700 rpm, equivalent to centrifugal accelerations of 300 G. These measurements enable immediate quality control during various stages of the high-speed paper production process.
A four-element optical fiber 4C vector hydrophone array
Jianfei Wang, Hong Luo, Yu Chen, et al.
A horizontal line array of four component (4C) optical fiber vector hydrophones (OFVHs) has been developed for underwater ambient noise measurement and direction-of-arrival (DOA) estimation of underwater target. The OFVH array consists of four OFVHs spaced uniformly over a 3 meter horizontal aperture, and each OFVH package having its own compass. The noise floor of the OFVH array achieves -100 dB/Hz1/2 at 1000 Hz. The OFVH is composed of a threecomponent optical fiber accelerometer with the phase sensitivities of three axes about -155 dB re rad/μPa at 1000 Hz and an optical fiber hydrophone with the phase sensitivity -144.3 dB re rad/μPa over the frequency range from 20 Hz to 2000 Hz. A sea trial of the OFVH array has been successfully carried out in South China Sea. The trial results show that the OFVH array can remove the 180° ambiguity in the DOA estimation by using the information of particle velocity of the sound, and the DOA estimation accuracy obviously excelled the single OFVH and optical fiber hydrophone array. The excellent performance of the OFVH array for use in target passive DOA estimation and tracking is proved by results.
Smart material using fiber Bragg grating transducers and shape memory alloy actuators
L. Rodriguez-Cobo, A. Quintela, A. Cobo, et al.
A structure based on a smart material and a PID control loop is presented in this paper. A glass fiber reinforced plastic material is instrumented with Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBG) and Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) actuators. The smart material and the smart structure are both successfully checked by being subjected to different operational conditions at the laboratory. Very good responses are obtained under both slow and quicker varying conditions.
Floating OE sensor array for offshore marine oil spill monitoring and pollution control
H. L. Cui, David Li, Thomas Koscica, et al.
Based on our successful technology of conductance liquid level sensor, combined with the long-period fiber Bragg grating sensor technology, a floating optical-electrical (OE) sensor array system is designed aimed at the early monitoring of oil contamination of offshore marine oil spill and pollution control as well as the safety at sea.
Validation of an induction motor thermal model by using fiber Bragg grating temperature sensors
Kleiton de Morais Sousa, Hypolito José Kalinowski, Jean Carlos Cardozo da Silva
A thermal model of a three-phase induction motor is validated by using fiber Bragg grating (FBG) temperature sensors. In the experimental setup, temperature, electrical and mechanical measurements were simultaneously obtained. Eight multiplexed FBG temperature sensors in a quasi-distributed configuration were used. Results from the simulation of the model presented a maximum difference of 0.75oC between the experimental values measured during the transient response of the motor and the simulated ones, while the steady state response converged to the measured experimental values. The instrumentation setup allowed the inclusion of the mechanical losses in the proposed thermal model, and this is the main contribution provided by this work.
Phase locked loop based topography measurement of ultraprecision machined surface using the ball lensed and tapered fiber
ChaBum Lee, Jin-Ho Kang, Jae-Young Joo, et al.
This paper presents the phase locked loop-based metrology concept using the lensed fibers for on-machine surface topography measurement. The shape of a single mode fiber at the endface was designed using an ABCD matrix method and two designed lensed fibers, ball type and tapered type, were fabricated and its performance was evaluated, respectively. In order to achieve the on-machine measurement of the surface tophography with a high resolution, each fiber was characterized under the following conditions; small beam spot size, long working distance and high coupling efficiency. A piece of coreless silica fiber was spliced to a single mode fiber and a micro-sized lens or tapered shape on coreless fiber endface was formed for the ball lensed fiber. As a result, the interferometric fringe was not found in the case of the ball lensed fiber, but the ultraprecision machined Cu surface could be measured by autofocusing and intensity methods. Two results were well agreed. On the other hand, very clear Fizeau interferometric fringe was observed in the case of the tapered lensed fiber. Its performance was compared with the results of the capacitance sensor and a commercially available white-light interferometer. Two results were well agreed. As a result, it was confirmed that the PLL based surface profile measurement using the tapered and ball lensed fibers can be applied for on-machine surface topography measurement.
Earthquake monitoring using fiber laser borehole seismometer
In this paper we report the earthquake monitoring using a fiber laser borehole seismometer. A fiber laser based accelerometer is used in the seismometer to detect the earthquake induced acceleration. Due to the ultra-narrow line width of the fiber laser (up to several kHz), an equivalent noise level of 50 ng can be achieved when using a fiber optic interferometric method. The fiber laser borehole seismometer is installed in a 400 m depth hole in Yunnan Province. A micro-earthquake (M=1.2) in Puer area is detected.
The influence of parameters measurement error on demodulation performance of PGC arctangent algorithm in optical fiber hydrophone
Kai Wang, Qingping Shi, Zhiguang Dai, et al.
The phase generated carrier (PGC) arctangent algorithm needs to be compensated when the carrier modulation depth C deviates from 2.63 rad. Parameters measurement error can induce an incomplete compensation in the arctangent algorithm. The demodulation distortion due to parameters estimation error is analyzed quantitatively in this paper. The relative amplitude error (RAE) and harmonic suppression ratio (HSR) are considered, which indicate a linear distortion and a nonlinear one separately. Theoretical analysis shows that the fluctuation range of RAE has a linear relation with an absolute value of δC which is the estimation error of the modulation depth C. The fluctuation range of RAE also has a square relation with δφ1, δφ2 which are the estimation error of the phase delay Δφ1Δφ2 of fundamental and second harmonic carriers respectively. Similarly, minimum HSR decreases by 6dB along with a doubled absolute value of δC and by 12dB with that of δφ1. Experimental results are presented to corroborate the theory.
Test and calibration of Bragg grating based vibration sensors
Søren Andresen, Torben R. Licht, Finn K. Nielsen
Characterisation of fibre optic vibration sensors represents a challenge since they are not compatible with conventional data acquisition platforms. The situation is complicated by the difficulty of applying a well described input signal, e.g. in form of a precisely controlled acceleration level over a range of frequencies. For this, we have configured a system based on a precision vibration exciter driven by a vibration controller. Such a system is able to reproduce the sensitivity and frequency response of Bragg grating based accelerometers to a precision within a few percent.
Web-based refractive index monitoring system, employing LPG-FBG hybrid optical sensors
Osanori Koyama, Tsubasa Kanamori, Katsunori Kawanishi, et al.
A new approach to refractive index sensing for biological solutions has been investigated for a web-based monitoring system. The system was implemented such that the refractive index was monitored by an LPG-FBG hybrid sensor. The point was how the enhanced sensitivity range of LPG could be used. For the purpose, equations were newly derived, based on a nonlinear relationship between values of the refractive index and the resonant wavelength. The values calculated by the equations were in good agreement with experimental values monitored by the system, enabling the system to use the enhanced sensitivity range.
All fibre-optic simultaneous detection of optical and acoustic emission from partial discharges in silicone elastomer
Philipp Rohwetter, Tobias Kielau, Chaiyaporn Lothongkam, et al.
In high-voltage facilities of power stations and transmission networks, discharge activities leading to catastrophic failure can occur. Early detection of partial discharges (PD) in polymeric insulations of HV cable terminations and joints is therefore increasingly important. This paper describes a monitoring methodology to detect PD activity in silicone elastomer by two independent fibre-optic sensor types. Fluorescent fibre-based sensors are sensitive to plasma optical emission already at the onset of PD while an acoustic fibre-optic sensor responds to acoustic emission from the PD during its progression. The sensitivities of both sensor types are compared, and it is demonstrated that they provide complementary information for fibre-optic sensor-based monitoring of high-voltage cable accessories.
Field calibration device for Raman backscatter based fiber optic distributed temperature system (DTS) technology
J. Bertrand, Ronan Morice, Olivier Beaumont, et al.
Application of Raman DTS to nuclear structure monitoring requires good knowledge of the metrological performance of this new technology. Periodical checks of the temperature readings will also be required on site, in zones that will no longer be accessible after installation. A novel, in-situ thermal cartridge was developed in order to calibrate and periodically check such measuring systems. This paper presents this innovative device and discusses the DTS-unit performance claimed by manufacturers.
Resolution enhancement in Brillouin optical correlation domain analysis by differential lock-in detection
We newly propose and experimentally demonstrate a differential lock-in detection scheme for the enhancement of Brillouin optical correlation domain analysis (BOCDA), where additional phase modulation is applied to the Brillouin pump wave and the on-off control on which is used for data acquisition. The theoretical model and the experimental results show that at least three-fold improvement is obtained in the spatial resolution of the distributed measurements and the Brillouin gain spectrum (BGS) with much narrower 3dB bandwidth than that of conventional BOCDA systems is acquired by the differential lock-in detection.
Optical monitoring of curing process of concrete with plastic optical fibers
Licínio Ferreira, Paulo Antunes, Humberto Varum, et al.
In this paper we propose an optical monitoring scheme for the concrete curing process, based on plastic optical fibers. The proposed sensor intend to use the scattering properties of the light on a plastic optical fiber, enhanced by the use of grooves, to monitor the water content in the cement paste, and therefore to be used in the control of the cure process. The sensor can be used in field to monitor the concrete curing process and as a result optimize the construction phase.
Towards the simultaneous monitoring of load and damage in aircraft structures using fiber Bragg grating sensors
Load monitoring and damage detection are the two critical aspects of aircraft structural health monitoring (SHM). The load monitoring is achieved by detecting the local strain changes while the damage detection is generally accomplished by the monitoring of acoustic signal changes. It would be ideal that a single sensor can perform both tasks simultaneously. This paper reports the demonstration of using fiber Bragg gratings to monitor load and acoustic signal applied on a simulated aircraft structure. The results clearly show that a single fiber Bragg grating sensor with short grating length has the potential to perform both tasks simultaneously.
Investigation on upper limit of dynamic range of fiber optic interferometric sensors base on the digital heterodyne demodulation scheme
Nan Zhang, Zhou Meng, Wei Rao, et al.
The upper limit of dynamic range (ULDR) of the fiber optic interferometric sensors (FOIS) based on the digital heterodyne demodulation scheme is investigated in this paper. According to the analysis of the demodulation process, the ULDR is restricted by two factors: the heterodyne frequency and the digital orthogonal demodulation algorithm. We discuss the influence of both the factors on the ULDR respectively in detail and give the total ULDR of the FOIS system. Experiments with the different delayed heterodyne scheme are conducted to verify the theoretical analysis and the results are consistent with the analysis conclusion.
A hybrid fiber-optic sensor system for multi-stress monitoring of high-voltage power transformer
Hyunjin Kim, Hyoung-jun Park, Minho Song
For condition monitoring of high-voltage power transformers, a fiber-optic multi-stress sensing system is suggested by combining fiber grating sensors and mandrel sensors embedded in a fiber-optic Sagnac interferometer. The gratings and the mandrel sensors measure the temperature and the vibrations at multi-locations in a power transformer. To separate and demodulate the sensor outputs, we used a wavelength-sweeping laser source and placed a fiber-optic attenuator in the Sagnac loop, which enabled to separate the Bragg wavelengths from the transmission spectrum. The temperature and vibrations of multi-locations could be measured at the same time by using optical circuit and single signal processing unit.
Analysis of fiber optic sensor application to precursory acoustic signals detection in rockfall events
L. Schenato, L. Palmieri, L. Vianello, et al.
Two fiber optic sensors (FOSs) for detection of precursory acoustic emissions in rockfall events are proposed and experimentally characterized. While both sensors are interferometric, the first one use a fiber coil as sensing element, whereas the second sensor exploits a micro-machined cantilever carved on the top of a ferrule. Preliminary experimental comparison with standard piezo-electric transducers shows the viability of such FOSs for acoustic emission monitoring in rock masses.
A novel self-healing optical fiber sensor network
To solve the survivability of sensing network for life-cycle structural health monitoring, this paper proposes a novel selfhealing optical fiber sensor network. The self-healing network with link node or emergency component was constructed and demonstrated by the strain measurement for a three-point bend beam with fiber reinforced polymer-optical fiber (FRP-OF) sensors and bare optical fiber (OF) sensors. The results show that the stress state of the RC beam can be successively detected, even some sensors fail or sensing line is broken by using the self-healing sensing network.
A novel noise suppression method for white light extrinsic Fabry-Perot interferometric fiber-optic pressure sensor in heavy oil thermal recovery downhole environment
Qilin Zou, Shengjun Dou, Chengjun Hu, et al.
A novel noise suppression method is proposed for the pressure surveillance of heavy oil thermal recovery well using white light extrinsic Fabry-Perot interferometric (EFPI) fiber-optic sensor. The moving grey model GM(1, 1) algorithm is applied to suppress the non-stationary noise and disturbance in downhole environment. Both theoretical analysis and field test results show that there exists a threshold effect for the moving window length selection, the optimized value of window length occurs at the threshold point which best removes the high frequency disturbance as well as retaining the fast change of actual pressure signal. Field test results show that the proposed method can increase the signal to noise ratio (SNR) of pressure profile with 10.4dB, and then can effectively suppress the large deviation in the forecasting result of daily oil production by combining temperature information.
Condition monitoring of wind turbine blades with FBG sensors
HanChul Kang, Daegil Kim, Minho Song
A fiber grating sensor system for use in condition monitoring of wind turbine blades is constructed. A rotary optical joint was used to connect the fiber grating sensors to the non-rotating signal processing unit with moderate insertion loss. The Bragg wavelengths were interrogated by a spectrometer demodulator which consisted of a volume phase grating and a 512-pixel photo-detector array. Using the constructed sensor system, various strain/temperature measuring experiments have been performed. We applied fiber grating sensors at different locations on the wind turbine blade. Different types of strain, stroke, and temperature variations were applied to the sensors and the results were analyzed according to the sensor locations and the blade's rotary speed.
Scintillating optical fibre sensor for radiotherapy dosimetry
D. McCarthy, S. O'Keeffe, P. Woulfe, et al.
An optical fibre sensor for monitoring low dose radiation is presented. The sensor is based on a scintillation material coated optical fibre, which emits visible light when exposed to low level ionising radiation. The incident level of ionising radiation can be determined by analysing the observed emission spectra. The work presented reports on the design of the sensor and the stability of the sensor during measurement of incident x-ray energy. Initial testing of the sensor at the radiotherapy facility at the Galway Private Clinic is presented, demonstrating the suitability of such a sensor for a range of radiotherapy dosimetry applications.
Field trials of fiber Bragg grating settlement sensors in high-speed railways
Xianglin Lu, Yuan Gong, Xiangliang Zheng, et al.
Novel fiber Bragg gratings (FBG) based settlement sensors are developed and the sensing performance is evaluated in both the lab and field environments. The settlement is determined by precisely measuring the pressure of the water level difference. The experimental results indicated that the sensor has good linearity, good repeatability and high accuracy in the settlement measurements. The influence of temperature fluctuations on the sensor's performance is eliminated and long-term test results proved the good stability of better than ±0.1% of the sensor. Such a FBG sensing system has been applied to monitor the settlement of high-speed railways in practice.
Comparison of strain sensitivities of free and attached FBG strain sensors
Johannes Roths, Laura Aulbach, Andre Wilfert, et al.
The strain sensitivity of FBG-based strain sensors that had been inscribed into three different types of optical fibers were determined for both conditions, for fibers that were glued on a specimen and for free, bare fibers, i. e. fibers that were not bonded to a structure at the location of the FBG. The influence of the gluing technique on the strain sensitivities of the FBG sensor elements was investigated by comparing the strain sensitivities of a multitude of attached and free sensor elements on a statistical basis. A good agreement between the strain sensitivities of free and attached fibers was achieved, which shows the high quality of the gluing method employed.
Study of all-fiber optic anemometer and wind direction sensor
Jiasheng Ni, Chang Wang, Tongyu Liu, et al.
An all-fiber wind anemometer and direction sensor is described in this paper. The wind anemometer probe is designed as an encoder structure while the wind direction probe is designed as a fabry-perot cavity structure, which cavity length is changed with the wind directions. This sensor can monitor wind velocity and directions more exactly and remotely. The method has a good reproducibility, dispense with power supply, remote measuring and anti-electromagnetic interference.
Post-Deadline Manuscripts
icon_mobile_dropdown
Brillouin optical time-domain analysis over a 240 km-long fiber loop with no repeater
In this paper we combine the use of optical pulse coding and seeded second-order Raman amplification to extend the sensing distance of Brillouin optical time-domain analysis (BOTDA) sensors. Using 255-bit Simplex coding, the power levels of the Raman pumps and the Brillouin pump and probe signals were adjusted in order to extend the real physical sensing distance of a BOTDA sensor up to 120 km away from the sensor interrogation unit, employing a 240-km long loop of standard single-mode fiber (SSMF) with no repeater. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that distributed measurements are carried out over such a long distance with no active device inserted into the entire sensing loop, constituting a considerable breakthrough in the field.
Helium and regeneration in optical fibres
We demonstrate the successful regeneration of optical fibre Bragg gratings that have been pressurized with helium instead of hydrogen. Helium-loading is performed after the inscription of the type-I seed grating. This work is of profound importance to the field of regeneration, confirming the existing theoretical model in which hydrogen plays a purely mechanical role in the regeneration process with no chemical reactions involved.
Distributed birefringence, strain and temperature measurement by homodyne BOTDR
Yuangang Lu, Xiaoyi Bao, Liang Chen
A novel distributed fiber birefringence, strain and temperature measurement based on homodyne Brillouin optical time domain reflectometry (BOTDR) is proposed. Birefringence measurement is based on the beat period detection of Brillouin beat of the same acoustic mode. Strain and temperature are obtained by measuring the power changes of Brillouin beat spectrum (BBS), which corresponds to the optical interaction of different acoustic modes in a complex profile fiber. The birefringence of a 4.3 km large-effective-area fiber (LEAF) was measured with 0.6-m spatial resolution, and strain and temperature at the end of a 4.5 km LEAF were measured at 1.5-m resolution in 140s.
Stimulated Brillouin scattering induced refractive index changes measurement in an optical fiber
Da-Peng Zhou, Liang Chen, Xiaoyi Bao
The refractive index changes induced by stimulated Brillouin scattering in an optical fiber are measured experimentally by polarization-decoupled four-wave mixing. Under undepleted pump approximation, net phase-matching condition depends on pump power and frequency detuning from Brillouin frequency. By investigating this net phase-matching condition, one can measure spectral change in the refractive index which is responsible for the slow light effect based on stimulated Brillouin scattering. Due to the high sensitivity of the measurement, very small refractive index changes (on the order of 10-8) versus frequency detuning can be determined experimentally, which is the lowest index change reported so far.
Graphene-based microfiber gas sensor
Bai-Cheng Yao, Yu Wu, Yang Chen, et al.
In this paper, a novel graphene-based microfiber sensor is proposed and demonstrated for detection of gas concentration for the first time. As the complex refractive index (CRI) of graphene can be modulated by gas molecules in the surrounding environment, the propagating light along the graphene layer coupled by the microfiber would be altered to induce the attenuation of polarization mode intensity. Based on such a unique TE-polarization mode attenuation feature of graphene, experimental results showed that the acetone concentration can be measured accurately and quickly. Such an approach could open a window for realization of a variety of highly sensitive and fast gas or liquid sensors based on graphene, for wide applications in biological, medical and chemical fields.
Measurement of Brillouin frequency shift distribution in PLC by Brillouin optical correlation domain analysis
Kazuo Hotate, Ryuji Watanabe, Zuyuan He, et al.
We have measured Brillouin frequency shift distribution in a planar lightwave circuit (PLC) by Brillouin optical correlation domain analysis (BOCDA). We have made an experimental system specialized for the measurement of PLC, realizing spatial resolution of 5.9mm with standard deviation of 0.34MHz in Brillouin frequency shift (BFS) measurement. From the data obtained in the experiments, we have found that the BFS distribution shape along the waveguide corresponds to its route pattern in the PLC.
Ultra-small microfiber Bragg grating force sensor with greater sensitivity
Wei Luo, Fei Xu, Yan-Qing Lu
We experimentally demonstrate a compact microfiber Bragg grating (MFBG) force sensor that offers greater sensitivity under load. The FBG is fabricated by focused ion beam (FIB) milling a microfiber tapered from nonphotosensitive standard single-mode fiber. It is only ~58μm in length. The force sensitivity of the MFBG is as high as ~4133nm/N around the resonant wavelength of 1550nm, which is three orders of magnitude larger than that recorded in FBGs inscribed in untapered fibers.