Multiplexing optical fiber low coherence and high coherence interferometric system with large range and high resolution for on-line measurement

A novel optical fiber sensing system multiplexing low coherence interferometry and high coherence interferometry that is endowed with large range and high resolution and is stabilized for on-line measurement is presented. An optical fiber Michelson interferometer performing measurement task in the system works in both modes of low coherence interferometry and high coherence interferometry simultaneously by employing a broadband light source and a fiber Bragg grating as an in-fiber reflective mirror. The amplitude of the measurand is determined by the low coherence interferometry while the value of the measurand is measured by the high coherence interferometry. Another optical fiber Michelson interferometer which is incorporated with the one performing measurement task stabilizes the sensing system for on-line measurement by exploiting an electronic feedback loop to reduce the influences that are resulted from environmental disturbances. The measurement range is 6 mm and the measurement uncertainty is less than 2 nm.