Data processing for intensity based fiber optic sensors

The design of a data processing prototype for intensity based fiber optic sensors is presented. This processing unit fulfills the requirement of a simple and reliable measurement technique to the laboratory user. In this particular experiment, the data processing unit was tested for an optical fiber displacement sensor.     

Embedded optical fiber sensors for materials evaluation

Optical fiber waveguides embedded within materials have been applied to the measurement of chemical changes, strain, and temperature inside materials. This paper reviews some of the research that has been performed in this area over the past 10 years and cites the theoretical and demonstrated performance of such sensors for material evaluation during its manufacturing, in service lifetime and degradation periods.     

Synchronous phase detection for optical fiber interferometric sensors

A system has been developed to accurately detect phase signals produced in optical interferometric sensors. The system employs optical heterodyning and synchronously detects optical phase by feeding back an error signal to a phase modulator in the reference leg of the interferometer. This system is seen to have properties similar to a phase-locked loop. The system is mathematically analyzed and a simple second-order model developed which accurately predicts the system response.     

Two-color mid-infrared thermometer with a hollow glass optical fiber

We have developed a low-temperature optical-fiber-based two-color infrared thermometer. A single 700-mum-bore hollow glass optical fiber collects and transmits radiation that is then modulated and split into two paths by a reflective optical chopper. Two different thermoelectrically cooled mid-infrared HgCdZnTe photoconductors monitor the chopped signals that are recovered with lock-in amplification. With the two previously obtained blackbody calibration equations, a computer algorithm calculates the true temperature and emissivity of a target in real time, taking into account reflection of the ambient radiation field from the target surface. The small numerical aperture of the hollow glass fiber and the fast response of the detectors, together with the two-color principle, permit high spatial and temporal resolution while allowing the user to dynamically alter the fiber-to-target distance.     

Vernier-effect optical interrogation technique for fiber Bragg grating sensors

This work demonstrates a new technique for real-time optical sensor interrogation by exploiting a novel Vernier effect between the multiple (comb) wavelength responses of a multiplexed fiber Bragg grating array and the fixed discrete wavelengths of an all-solid-state tunable laser. Sets of output photodetector voltages serve as high-resolution optical "signatures" to determine uniquely the strain in the single fiber section. The sensor demonstrated here is compact, lightweight, and is specifically intended for remote operability in harsh (vibrational) environments. In this proof of concept, strain values over a range of nearly 500 microepsilon can be easily resolved to better than 5.9 microepsilon, which is the incremental limit of the mechanical test fixture used to induce strain in the experiment.     

Sol-gel-coated mid-infrared fiber-optic sensors

Application of organically modified sol-gels as novel recognition membranes for mid-infrared fiber-optic sensors is demonstrated for the first time by in situ detection of nitro-based aromatic compounds in aqueous media. Sol-gels were prepared by acid- and base-catalyzed copolymerization of alkyltrimethoxysiloxanes and applied onto the surface of silver halide (AgCl(0.3)Br(0.7)) fibers by drip coating. The coating process was monitored in situ using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. Homogeneity of the layers was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. Sol-gel-coated evanescent held sensors were investigated with respect to their capacity to suppress interfering water background absorptions, repeatability of dissolved analyte enrichment, and sensor response time. Nitrobenzene and parathion are the investigated analytes; figures of merit are derived from calibration curves determined to assess sensitivity and reproducibility of the developed sensor system. It can be concluded that sol-gel-coated infrared fiber-optic sensors enable reproducible detection of nitro-based aromatic compounds in the low ppm concentration range. Due to wide flexibility in tuning chemical properties of sol-gel films along with superior mechanical and chemical stability, organically modified sol-gels represent highly interesting coating materials for mid-infrared sensing applications.     

Dynamic thermal response of single-mode optical fiber for interferometric sensors

The dynamic temperature phase sensitivity of a three-layer optical fiber is calculated for unjacketed as well as Al- and Hytrel-coated fibers. The calculations include both the variation of the refractive index with temperature and the thermally induced axial and radial strains. The calculated phase sensitivity indicates that it is currently possible to measure a 1-microdegree C temperature change at frequencies exceeding 50 kHz with 1 cm of a metal coated optical fiber.     

膜片式光纤动态压力传感器的研制

为了更好地满足动态压力的测量需求,研究了一种基于法布里-珀罗（Fabry-Perot,F-P）干涉原理的膜片式光纤动态压力传感器。从理论上分析了多个反射面对F-P腔光谱的影响,提出了得到单一F-P腔的方法。进而采用机械研磨的方式对传感器膜片外表面进行粗化加工,有效解决了由多个反射面带来的光谱复杂问题。对传感器进行静态压力和动态压力标定试验,结果表明：传感器性能良好,在0~200 kPa（表压）范围内的静态压力测量误差小于等于0.5 %FS;在20~2500 Hz范围内,传感器的幅值灵敏度相对误差优于±10%。     

有源光纤式流量传感器的研究进展

光纤式有源流量传感器是近年来发展起来的一种基于光纤传感技术、流量检测技术的新型流量传感器.目前,主要将金属薄膜的光热转换效应或电阻的热效应与光纤及光纤光栅的温度、应力特性(在流体环境下光的强度、频率、波长及相位等受温度、应力调制的特性)相结合并制得一类新型的光纤有源流量传感器,包括光纤光栅点式及光纤散射(布里渊、瑞利)分布式有源流量传感器.通过文献综述的方式来介绍有源光纤式流量传感器的工作原理、种类及其研究进展,旨在为今后研究提供方法.     

纤维复合材料层合板内埋光纤光栅传感器的保护技术

内埋的光纤Bragg光栅（FBG）传感器的存活率及测试精度是其在线监测纤维增强树脂基复合材料制备和服役状态的重要前提。采用[90₁₁/0₁₁]的碳纤维预浸料铺层方式,在层合板0°和45°方向的典型位置埋入FBG温度和应变传感器,采用模压成型工艺制备复合材料层合板。在异向铺排（光纤光栅方向与碳纤维方向不同）的45°方向光纤光栅传感器内埋于碳纤维预浸料层间的过程中,对其采用4种不同的保护方式。通过对比实验结果发现:当对异向铺排的FBG传感器不采取保护措施时,在加热加压复合材料时光纤光栅容易失活;整层铺设同向预浸料以保护异向铺排的FBG传感器的方式改变了具有特定铺层参数复合材料的力学性能;采用窄长条同向预浸料上下包埋保护FBG传感器的方式增大了应变光栅测量结果的系统误差;采用窄长条同向预浸料上下包埋并在邻近铺层开凹槽的保护方式能明显提高内埋光纤光栅的存活率及测试精度。      

Applications of quantum dots in optical fiber luminescent oxygen sensors

The potential applications of luminescent semiconductor nanocrystals to optical oxygen sensing are explored. The suitability of quantum dots to provide a reference signal in luminescence-based chemical sensors is addressed. A CdSe-ZnS nanocrystal, with an emission peak at 520 nm, is used to provide a reference signal. Measurements of oxygen concentration, which are based on the dynamic quenching of the luminescence of a ruthenium complex, are performed. Both the dye and the nanocrystal are immobilized in a solgel matrix and are excited by a blue LED. Experimental results show that the ratio between the reference and the sensor signals is highly insensitive to fluctuations of the excitation optical power. The use of CdTe, near-infrared quantum dots with an emission wavelength of 680 nm, in combination with a ruthenium complex to provide a new mechanism for oxygen sensing, is investigated. The possibility of creating oxygen sensitivity in different spectral regions is demonstrated. The results obtained clearly show that this technique can be applied to develop a wavelength division multiplexed system of oxygen sensors.     

Fabrication and modeling of uniform-waist single-mode tapered optical fiber sensors

We report the fabrication and modeling of single-mode tapered optical fiber sensors. The fabrication technique consist of stretching a section of fiber with an oscillating flame torch. Such a process allows controllable fabrication of lossless tapered fibers with a uniform waist. The sensor transmittance is modeled with a simple ray optics approach. In the model, all the taper parameters are taken into account. Our results indicate that sensor sensitivity can be adjusted with the taper waist diameter. As an example a gold-coated tapered fiber is theoretically and experimentally analyzed.     

In-line optical fiber sensors based on cladded multimode tapered fibers

The use of uniform-waist cladded multimode tapered optical fibers is demonstrated for evanescent wave spectroscopy and sensors. The tapering is a simple, low-loss process and consists of stretching the fiber while it is being heated with an oscillating flame torch. As examples, a refractive-index sensor and a hydrogen sensor are demonstrated by use of a conventional graded-index multimode optical fiber. Also, absorbance spectra are measured while the tapers are immersed in an absorbing liquid. It is found experimentally that the uniform waist is the part of the taper that contributes most to the sensor sensitivity. The taper waist diameter may also be used to adjust the sensor dynamic range.     

光纤出射光强分布研究

对多模光纤出射光束的光强分布用横向位移法进行了理论分析和实验研究,并用数值计算的方法分析实验测量数据.结果表明,高斯光束可以很好地描述光纤出射光强的分布,光纤出射光束光强分布参数主要与光纤芯径和出纤光功率等有关,为强度调制型光纤传感器的优化研制提供了必要的实验依据.     

Multiplexing of optical fiber gas sensors with a frequency-modulated continuous-wave technique

We report on the use of a frequency-modulated continuous-wave technique for multiplexing optical fiber gas sensors. The sensor network is of a ladder topology and is interrogated by a tunable laser. The system performance in terms of detection sensitivity and cross talk between sensors was investigated and found to be limited by coherent mixing between signals from different channels. The system performance can be improved significantly by use of appropriate wavelength modulation-scanning coupled with low-pass filtering. Computer simulation shows that an array of 37 acetylene sensors with a detection accuracy of 2000 parts in 10(6) for each sensor may be realized. A two-sensor acetylene detection system was experimentally demonstrated that had a detection sensitivity of 165 parts in 10(6) for 2.5-cm gas cells (or a minimum detectable absorbance of 2.1 x 10(-4)) and a cross talk of -25 dB.     

采用分布式光纤传感技术的土坝模型渗漏监测分析

海底隧道应采取堵水限排的地下水处理方式,为了研究堵水限排海底隧道围岩压力、初期支护水压力和钢拱架内力在施工阶段的变化规律,结合厦门海底隧道工程,对施工现场的围岩压力、初期支护后水压力和钢拱架内力进行实时监测。研究表明,初期支护在施工阶段有较高的安全系数,止水超前注浆和初期支护背后注浆对海底隧道非常有必要。在堵水限排情况下,通过加强注浆等工程措施,初期支护水压力可降至静水压力的1/3。通过对施工现场排水量的监测与分析,提出了排水量控制标准,厦门海底隧道软弱围岩地段的排水量应按照0.25 m3/(m.d)控制。研究成果在厦门海底隧道中得到了验证和应用。     

Split-spectrum intensity-based optical fiber sensors for measurement of microdisplacement, strain, and pressure

A self-referencing technique compensating for fiber losses and source fluctuations in reflective air-gap intensity-based optical fiber sensors is described. A dielectric multilayer short-wave-pass filter is fabricated onto or attached to the output end face of the lead-in-lead-out multimode fiber. The incoming broadband light from a white light or a light-emitting diode is partially reflected at the filter. The transmitted light through the filter projects onto a mirror. The light returning from the reflecting mirror is recoupled into the lead-in-lead-out fiber. These two reflections from the filter and the reflecting mirror are spectrally separated at the detector end. The power ratio of these two reflections is insensitive to source fluctuations and fiber-bending loss. However, because the second optical signal depends on the air-gap separation between the end face of the lead-in-lead-out fiber and the reflecting mirror, the ratio provides the information on the air-gap length. A resolution of 0.13 μm has been obtained over a microdisplacement measurement range of 0-254 μm. The sensor is shown to be insensitive to both fiber-bending losses and variations in source power. Based on this approach, a fiber-strain sensor was fabricated with a multilayer interference filter directly fabricated on the end face of the fiber. A resolution of 13.4 microstrain was obtained over a measurement range of 0-20,000 microstrain with a gauge length of 10 mm. The split-spectrum method is also incorporated into a diaphragm displacement-based pressure sensor with a demonstrated resolution of 450 Pa over a measurement range of 0-0.8 MPa.     

Method for determination of crack bridging parameters using long optical fiber Bragg grating sensors

The state of the local fiber–matrix interface highly influences the propagation of cracks in fiber-reinforced composites and thus the stress distribution in any bridging fiber. This paper demonstrates that by embedding a long optical fiber Bragg grating into a reinforcing fiber and using an established model of the grating response to non-uniform stress distributions, one can determine key parameters of a crack bridging model. The grating extending into the epoxy on each side of the crack is subject to a strain function as a result of all micro-mechanical phenomena acting along the fiber. Furthermore, this technique does not require that one knows a priori the exact location of the crack. Two types of central crack specimens with an artificial crack were fabricated and tested, one with a strong interface and one with a weaker interface resulting in frictional sliding. The results demonstrate that this technique is efficient for the measurement of the bridging forces through validation by previous measurements using short Bragg gratings and the deduction of interface parameters. Analysis also shows that the sensitivity of the Bragg grating sensor to the bridging force is sufficient, even for the more realistic case of an initially zero-width crack e.g. grown by fatigue.