Speckle-based interrogation system for quasi-distributed weak fiber Bragg gratings

A simple quasi-distributed fiber sensing interrogation system based on random speckles is proposed for weak fiber Bragg gratings(WFBGs) in this work. Without using tunable lasers or spectrometers, a piece of multimode fiber is applied to interrogate the WFBGs relying on the wavelength sensitivity of speckles. Instead of the CCD sensor, an InGaAs quadrant detector serves as the receiver to capture the fast-changing speckle patterns. A supervised deep learning algorithm of the multilayer perceptron architecture is implemented to process speckle data and to interrogate temperature changes or dynamic strains. The proposed demodulation system is experimentally demonstrated for WFBGs with 0.1% reflectivity.The experimental results demonstrate that the new system is capable of measuring temperature change with an accuracy of 1℃ and achieving dynamic frequency of 100 Hz. This speckle-based interrogation system paves a new way for distributed WFBGs sensing with a simple design.

Recent Progress in Distributed Optical Fiber Raman Photon Sensors at China Jiliang University

A brief review of recent progress in researches, productions and applications of full distributed fiber Raman photon 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 full 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 full distributed fiber sensors are investigated and designed, which consist of new generation ultra-long distance full distributed fiber Raman and Rayleigh scattering photon sensors integrated with a fiber Raman amplifier, auto-correction full distributed fiber Raman photon temperature sensors based on Raman correlation dual sources, full distributed fiber Raman photon temperature sensors based on a pulse coding source, full distributed fiber Raman photon temperature sensors using a fiber Raman wavelength shifter, a new type of Brillouin optical time domain analyzers （BOTDAs） integrated with a fiber Raman amplifier for replacing a fiber Brillouin amplifier, full distributed fiber Raman and Brillouin photon sensors integrated with a fiber Raman amplifier, and full distributed fiber Brillouin photon sensors integrated with a fiber Brillouin frequency shifter. The Internet of things is believed as one of candidates of the next technological revolution, which has driven hundreds of millions of class markets. Sensor networks are important components of the Internet of things. The full 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 can be embedded in 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.

A Fresnel Reflection-Based Optical Fiber Sensor System for Remote Refractive Index Measurement Using an OTDR

In this paper, we propose a Fresnel reflection-based optical fiber sensor system for remote refractive index measurement using the optical time domain reflectometry technique as an interrogation method. The surrounding refractive index from a long distance away can be measured easily by using this sensor system, which operates based on testing the Fresnel reflection intensity from the fiber-sample interface. This system is a simple configuration, which is easy to handle. Experimental results showed that the range of this measurement could reach about 100.8km, and the refractive index sensitivities were from 38.71 dB/RIU to 304.89 dB/RIU in the refractive index （RI） range from 1.3486 to 1.4525.

Numerical Investigation Into a Surface Plasmon Resonance Sensor Based on Optical Fiber Microring

A reflective surface plasmon resonance （SPR） sensor based on optical fiber microring is proposed. In such a sensor, plasmons on the outer surface of the metallized channels containing analyte can be excited by a fundamental mode of a thin-core fiber （TCF）. The refractive index （RI） sensing can be achieved as the surface plasmons are sensitive to changes in the refrective index of the analyte. Numerical simulation results show that the resonance spectrum shifts toward the shorter wavelength gradually when the analyte refractive index increases from 1.0 to 1.33, whereas it shifts toward the longer wavelength gradually when the analyte refractive index increases from 1.33 to 1.43, and there is a turning point at the refractive index value of 1.33. The highest sensitivity achieved is up to 2.30×10^3nm/RIU near the refractive index value of 1.0. Such a compact sensor has potential for gaseous substance monitoring.