An optical fiber radiation sensor for remote detection of radiological materials

This paper demonstrates the feasibility of a portable radiation sensor system that uses the pulsed optically stimulated luminescence technique to remotely interrogate an aluminum oxide (Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/:C) radiation sensor via an optical fiber. The objective is to develop a system for applications requiring simple and inexpensive sensors for widespread monitoring of ionizing radiation levels, which can be remotely interrogated at regular periods with little or no human intervention and are easy to install, operate, and maintain. Results on the optimization and performance of the system are presented. The current minimum detectable dose is of the order of 5 /spl mu/Gy, which is already satisfactory for applications such as the monitoring of radioactive plumes from radioactive waste sites. We also discuss potential developments that could decrease the minimum detectable dose to allow radiation doses as low as the background level to be measured over short time intervals, making the system more versatile for detecting radiological materials.     

Acousto-optic imaging spectropolarimetry for remote sensing

We review the operating principles of noncollinear acousto-optic tunable filters (AOTF's), emphasizing the use of two orthogonally polarized beams for narrow-band imaging. Spectral characterization and spectral broadening measurements of commercially available AOTF's agree with theoretical predictions and reveal difficulties associated with imaging noncollimated light. An AOTF imaging spectropolarimeter for ground-based astronomy that uses CCD's has been constructed at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. It uses a TeO(2) noncollinear AOTF and a simple optical relay assembly to produce side-by-side orthogonally polarized spectral images. We summarize the instrument design and initial performance tests. We include sample spectral images acquired at the Goddard Geophysical and Astronomical Observatory.     

一种主动冷却的高温光纤式叶尖定时传感器

针对现有高温光纤式叶尖定时传感器最高耐温只到650℃,无法满足更高温度条件下燃气轮机叶片振动监测需求的问题,研究并设计一种采用主动冷却方式的高温光纤式叶尖定时传感器。为提高传感器的耐温性能,采用中空式的结构设计以及主动冷却的降温方式提高传感器探头的耐温性能。应用Ansys有限元分析软件进行热-流-固耦合分析,对传感器设计的可靠性进行理论论证。在此基础上,对设计的高温光纤式叶尖定时传感器进行高温试验验证。结果表明:试验结果与仿真结果具有良好的一致性,该传感器工作温度最高可达1 300℃,满足大多数高温环境下燃气轮机叶片振动参数监测的要求。     

Computational ghost imaging for remote sensing

Computational ghost imaging is a structured-illumination active imager coupled with a single-pixel detector that has potential applications in remote sensing. Here we report on an architecture that acquires the two-dimensional spatial Fourier transform of the target object (which can be inverted to obtain a conventional image). We determine its image signature, resolution, and signal-to-noise ratio in the presence of practical constraints such as atmospheric turbulence, background radiation, and photodetector noise. We consider a bistatic imaging geometry and quantify the resolution impact of nonuniform Kolmogorov-spectrum turbulence along the propagation paths. We show that, in some cases, short-exposure intensity averaging can mitigate atmospheric-turbulence-induced resolution loss. Our analysis reveals some key performance differences between computational ghost imaging and conventional active imaging, and identifies scenarios in which theory predicts that the former will perform better than the latter.     

光纤传感用激光光源技术

光纤传感系统离不开激光光源,作为被测量信号载体的光波,激光光源本身的性能,如激光器的功率稳定性、线宽、相位噪声等参数对光纤传感系统的探测距离、探测精度、灵敏度以及噪声特性起决定性的作用,因此发展优质激光光源已成为近些年的研究热点。本文简要论述了激光光源在光纤传感领域的发展状况;重点介绍了窄线宽激光光源、可调谐激光光源以及宽带白光光源在光纤传感技术领域中的应用需求;概括了现有激光光源在光纤传感中所面临的主要限制因素和关键技术。为了进一步提高光纤传感系统的性能指标,获得可在任意波段、任意时刻实现的超窄、超稳理想激光光源将是未来光纤传感的一个主要研究方向。

     

Micromachined optical fiber current sensor

We describe a micromachined optical fiber current sensor. The sensing element consists of a squared silicon membrane (8 mm long and 20 mum thick) that has a cylindrical permanent magnet (NdFeB alloy, 3-mm diameter, 1.5 mm high) fixed on its central region. This structure allows the permanent magnet to vibrate in the presence of the magnetic field gradient generated by an ac. A linear relation between the electrical current and the magnet displacement was measured with white-light interferometry with an optical fiber low-finesse Fabry-Perot microcavity. A measurement range of 0-70 A and a minimum detectable intensity of 20 mA were obtained when distance D between the membrane and the electrical power line was 5 mm. The output signal directly shows a linear response with distance D.     

Dual-photoelastic-modulator-based polarimetric imaging concept for aerosol remote sensing

A dual-photoelastic-modulator- (PEM-) based spectropolarimetric camera concept is presented as an approach for global aerosol monitoring from space. The most challenging performance objective is to measure degree of linear polarization (DOLP) with an uncertainty of less than 0.5% in multiple spectral bands, at moderately high spatial resolution, over a wide field of view, and for the duration of a multiyear mission. To achieve this, the tandem PEMs are operated as an electro-optic circular retardance modulator within a high-performance reflective imaging system. Operating the PEMs at slightly different resonant frequencies generates a beat signal that modulates the polarized component of the incident light at a much lower heterodyne frequency. The Stokes parameter ratio q = Q/I is obtained from measurements acquired from each pixel during a single frame, providing insensitivity to pixel responsivity drift and minimizing polarization artifacts that conventionally arise when this quantity is derived from differences in the signals from separate detectors. Similarly, u = U/I is obtained from a different pixel; q and u are then combined to form the DOLP. A detailed accuracy and tolerance analysis for this polarimeter is presented.     

Colloidal gold-modified optical fiber for chemical and biochemical sensing

A novel class of fiber-optic evanescent-wave sensor was constructed on the basis of modification of the unclad portion of an optical fiber with self-assembled gold colloids. The optical properties and, hence, the attenuated total reflection spectrum of self-assembled gold colloids on the optical fiber changes with different refractive index of the environment near the colloidal gold surface. With sucrose solutions of increasing refractive index, the sensor response decreases linearly. The colloidal gold surface was also functionalized with glycine, succinic acid, or biotin to enhance the selectivity of the sensor. Results show that the sensor response decreases linearly with increasing concentration of each analyte. When the colloidal gold surface was functionalized with biotin, the detection limit of the sensor for streptavidin was 9.8 x 10(-11) M. Using this approach, we demonstrate proof-of-concept of a class of refractive index sensor that is sensitive to the refractive index of the environment near the colloidal gold surface and, hence, is suitable for label-free detection of molecular or biomolecular binding at the surface of gold colloids.     

Passively mode-locked fiber laser sensor for acoustic pressure sensing

The development is reported of a multi-longitudinal mode fiber laser sensor based on passive mode locking employing carbon nanotubes in the laser cavity. A polymer membrane is employed beneath the pre-strained erbium-doped fiber (EDF) to convert the sound pressure disturbance into axial strain, alter the cavity length, and induce a shift of the longitudinal modes beat. Hence, acoustic pressure measurement can be carried out by detecting the shift of the beat frequency. Experimental results show comparable strain and sound pressure sensitivity of ~0.5 kHz/με and 147.2 Hz/Pa, respectively. The proposed sensor is an alternative for the measurement of acoustic pressure and possesses the advantages of good stability and ease of interrogation.     

An optical fiber chemical sensor for mercury ions based on a porphyrin dimer

The synthesis of a novel fluoroionophore, 5-p-[[4-(10',15',20'-triphenyl-5'-porphinato) phenyloxyl]-1-butyloxyl]phenyl-10,15,20-triphenylporphine (DTPP), and its application for preparation of a Hg(II)-sensitive optical fiber chemical sensor are described. The response of the sensor is based on the fluorescence quenching of DTPP by coordination with Hg(II). The porphyrin dimer-based sensor shows a linear response toward Hg(II) in the concentration range 5.2 x 10(-7)-3.1 x 10(-4) mol x L(-1), with a working pH range from 2.4 to 8.0. The sensor shows excellent selectivity for Hg(II) over transition metal cations including Cd(II), Co(II), Cu(II), Ni(II), Pb(II), Zn(II), and Fe(III). As a sensing agent, the porphyrin dimer shows obviously better fluorescence response characteristics toward Hg(II) compared to porphyrin monomer or metalloporphyrin. The effect of the composition of the sensor membrane was studied, and the experimental conditions were optimized. The sensor has been used for determination of Hg(II) in water samples.     

Multidimensional optical sensor and imaging system

We describe a multidimensional optical sensor and imaging system (MOSIS). Using a time-multiplexing, polarimetric, and multispectral imaging system, we are able to reconstruct a fully integrated multidimensional scene. Image fusion is used to integrate the multidimensional images. The fused image contains more information than the single two-dimensional and three-dimensional (3D) images. The multidimensional imaging system utilizes polarimetric imaging, multispectral imaging, 3D integral imaging with time and space multiplexing, and 3D image-fusion techniques to reconstruct the multidimensionally integrated scene. Optical experiments and computer simulations are presented.     

A dual modality optical fiber sensor

We propose and demonstrate a fibre optic system based on bi-tapered silica fibre that can simultaneously measure strain and fibre curvature. Both modalities on the signal can be extracted with no measurable crosstalk between them. The experimental signal has a pure phase modulation when strain is applied to the tapered fibre optic section of the sensor and the signal shows only intensity modulation when an un-tapered fibre section is bent. High sensitivity is achieved from the experimental results for strain and bending losses and the estimation of measurement errors is 0.2 and 0.1%, respectively. This system offers low-cost, compactness and it can be adapted for structural health monitoring.     

A reflectometric optical fiber temperature sensor

A reflectometric fiber-optic temperature sensor was manufactured and characterized. The sensing probe is obtained by replacing the cladding with a temperature sensitive liquid on a short length of fiber. Its reduced dimensions make it suitable for monitoring applications whenever a high spatial resolution is required. A numerical modeling of the sensor, based on a ray-tracing technique, was carried out. The metrological performance of the first prototype seems to be very interesting in terms of accuracy and, above all, response time. A system for multipoint temperature measurements is also described.     

Correlated imaging with partially coherent light for remote sensing

Based on the extended Huygens–Fresnel integral and the theory of coherence of light field, we have investigated the correlated imaging by using the transverse normalized second-order intensity fluctuation correlation function with partially coherent light radiation. The imaging for a reflected object with relative long distance is determined by the feature of speckle-to-speckle correlation. By using the correlation function, we study the effects of imaging distance, the sizes of object lens and reference lens, the source’s transverse coherent width and its transverse size on the quality of correlated imaging. Numerical results show that the parameters of imaging system and the properties of partially coherent light source have significant influences on the imaging resolution and visibility. For an object lens with large enough diameter, the resolution is determined by the transverse coherent width of light source. On the contrary, it depends on the aperture of object lens. The magnification of the system depends only on the propagation distance. This speckle-to-speckle correlated imaging with unbalanced arms have potential applications in remote sensing due to its unique features.     

Fast optical pH manipulation and imaging

We describe a complete system for optical pH manipulation and imaging. The system consists of a photoactive Ruthenium complex capable of inducing a change of more than 5 pH units at the nanosecond time scale. A compatible imaging system acquires microscopic pH images at 1200 fps using a nonexpensive commercial digital camera and an LED illumination system. We use the system as a superb tool to investigate flow in Flow Injection Analysis (FIA) models.     

Three-dimensional remote sensing by optical scanning holography

A technique is presented by which holograms can be recorded when an object or scene is scanned with an optically heterodyned Fresnel zone pattern. The experimental setup, based on optical scanning holography, is described and experimental results are presented. We apply the scanning holography technique to three-dimensional reflective objects for the first time to our knowledge and address the unique requirements for such a system. We discuss holographic recording and numerical image reconstruction using a system point-spread function (PSF) approach. We demonstrate numerical image reconstruction of experimentally recorded holograms by two techniques: deconvolution with a simulated PSF and an experimentally acquired PSF.     

Review of passive imaging polarimetry for remote sensing applications

Imaging polarimetry has emerged over the past three decades as a powerful tool to enhance the information available in a variety of remote sensing applications. We discuss the foundations of passive imaging polarimetry, the phenomenological reasons for designing a polarimetric sensor, and the primary architectures that have been exploited for developing imaging polarimeters. Considerations on imaging polarimeters such as calibration, optimization, and error performance are also discussed. We review many important sources and examples from the scientific literature.     

Side-hole two-core microstructured optical fiber for hydrostatic pressure sensing

A novel side-hole two-core microstructured optical fiber (STMOF) is proposed for hydrostatic pressure sensing. The two solid fiber cores are surrounded by a few small air holes and two large air holes, and are separated by one small air hole in the center of the cross section of the STMOF. The two large air holes that we called side holes essentially provide a built-in transducing mechanism to enhance the pressure-induced index change, which ensures the high sensitivity of the hydrostatic pressure sensor based on the STMOF. Mode coupling between the two fiber cores of the STMOF has been investigated, which provides a pressure-dependent transmission spectrum by injecting a broadband light into one fiber core of the STMOF on one side and detecting output spectrum on another fiber core on the other side. Our simulations show that there is a one-to-one correspondence between the hydrostatic pressure applied on the STMOF and the peak wavelength shift of the transmission spectrum. A hydrostatic pressure sensor based on an 8 cm STMOF has a sensitivity of 0.111 nm/Mpa for the measurement range from 0 Mpa to 200 Mpa. The performances of hydrostatic pressure sensors based on STMOFs with different structure parameters are presented.     

A digital optical sensor for the remote monitoring of temperature

A method for the continuous monitoring of the change in temperature of remote physical objects based on waveguide ring microwave resonators, and also its diagramatic representation, is proposed. The results of calculations, which enable the range of accuracy of temperature measurements to be optimized using a digital optical sensor, are presented. The short response time and the small dimensions and mass of the proposed sensor enable continuous remote monitoring of the temperature to be achieved in locations that are difficult to access. __________ Translated from Izmeritel’naya Tekhnika, No. 3, pp. 54–57, March, 2007.     

Piezoelectric optical fiber stretcher for application in an atmospheric optical turbulence sensor

A piezoelectric optical fiber stretcher has been introduced for working point controlling and low-frequency noise suppression of a fiber-optic atmospheric turbulence sensor. It is actuated by a piezoelectric ceramic stack. The rational structure allows the fiber to extend only along the axial direction, which minimizes the nonlinear birefringence effects for the optical phase shift. What is believed to be a novel method has been proposed to measure its phase-shift coefficient. With the use of this device, the fiber-optic atmospheric turbulence sensor has been tested for the air refractive index measurement.