Fiber grating sensors for high-temperature measurement

Two fiber grating sensors for high-temperature measurements are proposed and experimentally demonstrated. The interrogation technologies of the sensor systems are all simple, low cost but effective. In the first sensor system, the sensor head is comprised of one fiber Bragg grating (FBG) and two metal rods. The lengths of the rods are different from each other. The coefficients of thermal expansion of the rods are also different from each other. The FBG will be strained by the sensor head when the temperature to be measured changes. The temperature is measured based on the wavelength-shifts of the FBG induced by the strain. In the second sensor system, a long-period fiber grating (LPG) is used as the high-temperature sensor head. The LPG is very-high-temperature stable CO₂-laser-induced grating and has a linear function of wavelength–temperature in the range of 0–800 °C. A dynamic range of 0–800 °C and a resolution of 1 °C have been obtained by either the first or the second sensor system. The experimental results agree with theoretical analyses.     

Simple wavelength-to-phase mapping FBG's interrogation method

In this work, an interrogation method for FBG sensors is presented based on a wavelength-to-time transformation procedure. The proposed scheme uses an externally modulated broadband source, an optical circulator and three Bragg gratings fixed in three different fiber branches, one acting as sensor (FBG_S) and others two (FBG₁ and FBG₂) acting as wavelength calibration devices. Spectral positions of the reflectivity maximum of FBG_1,2 are slightly different and fixed while FBG_S spectral position lies in the reflection spectral range of FBG_1,2. Moreover, an optical time delay between the reflections of both calibration gratings is introduced including a path length greater in one of the branches. Reflections from both gratings are added by employing a 50/50 coupler. By this set-up, a phase sensible detection technique is generated allowing to reach a sensitivity of up to 660°/nm in the performed experiments. A theoretical analysis of the device performance was carried out showing good agreement with the experimental results. This system combines low cost and high flexibility to be customized in a particular application.     

Bend-insensitive long-period fiber grating sensors

A novel bend-insensitive long-period fiber grating (LPFG) sensor written using focused CO₂ laser pulses is demonstrated, for the first time, to our knowledge. It is found that the central wavelength shift of such a LPFG is only −0.018 nm even for a curvature of 1.1 m⁻¹ at the most bend-insensitive position of the LPFG. Experimental results show that the bend sensitivity of the central wavelength of the LPFG has a periodic distribution along its circular directions. Such a bend-insensitive sensor could be used to solve the problem of cross-sensitivity between bend and other measurands, such as temperature, strain or refractive index, which is an unsolved problem for LPFG sensors in practice. In addition, the bend sensitivity of the LPFG can be adjusted by selecting its circular positions.     

A cheap and practical FBG temperature sensor utilizing a long-period grating in a photonic crystal fiber

A whole temperature sensor in one package utilizing a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) made in a conventional single-mode fiber and which uses a long-period grating (LPG) made in a photonic crystal fiber is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. The function of the interrogation is that the wavelength change of the FBG with environmental temperature is transferred to the intensity of the output via the LPG. Utilizing the temperature-insensitivity of the LPG in the PCF, the interrogation is stable and enables a cheap and practical temperature measurement system with a wide dynamic range.     

Microwave Photonics for High-Resolution and High-Speed Interrogation of Fiber Bragg Grating Sensors

Abstract

Conventional fiber Bragg grating sensors have a few limitations, such as limited interrogation resolution and speed and difficulty in separating different measurands. In this article, microwave photonic techniques applied to fiber Bragg grating sensors to improve the interrogation resolution and speed are discussed. Experimental results to validate the techniques are provided.     

A novel fiber Bragg grating high-temperature sensor

A novel fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensor for the measurement of high temperature is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. The interrogation system of the sensor system is simple, low cost but effective. The sensor head is comprised of one FBG and two metal rods. The lengths of the rods are different from each other. The coefficients of thermal expansion of the rods are also different from each other. The FBG will be strained by the sensor head when the temperature to be measured changes. The temperature is measured basis of the wavelength shifts of the FBG induced by strain. A dynamic range of 0–800 °C and a resolution of 1 °C have been obtained by the sensor system. The experiment results agree with theoretical analyses.     

长周期光纤光栅强度型温度传感研究

对长周期光纤光栅(LPG)的温度特性进行了实验研究,测得的温度灵敏系数为0.086nm/℃,为光纤布喇格光栅(FBG)典型温度灵敏系数的8.2倍。以LPG作为传感元件,以可调谐掺铒光纤环形腔激光器作为光源,研究了LPG的强度型温度传感特性,在74℃的温度变化范围内,激光透射光强的对数与待测温度的关系具有良好的线性和重复性,温度测量的分辨率可达0.1℃。     

An all-fiber high resolution fiber grating concentration sensor

An all-fiber high resolution optical fiber grating concentration sensor has been studied theoretically and experimentally. A long period grating is used as the sensor head and a wavelength matched fiber Bragg grating is used as an interrogator to convert wavelength into intensity encoded information for interrogation. A concentration resolution of 0.104 g/L for NaCl solution is realized in experiment. The all-fiber sensor system, with the sensor head and the interrogator being all optical fiber components, is suitable for far-distance monitoring. The sensor system is with multifunction and can be used for temperature monitoring. A temperature resolution of 0.013 °C has realized in experiment.     

Numerical analysis of plasmon polarition refractive index fiber sensors with hollow core and a long period grating

The main principle of this design is based on the efficient energy transfer between the waveguide mode (WM) and the co-directional SPP provided by a properly designed fiber long period grating (LPG). This LPG is imprinted into a waveguide fiber layer of a specially designed hollow core optical fiber. The simulations are based on the finite element method (FEM) algorithm in electromagnetics and coupled mode theory for gratings. Compared to the previous proposed structure using a fiber Bragg grating (FBG), this novel kind of sensor can greatly enhance the refractive index sensitivity, e.g., from 5.93 nm/RIU (with FBG) to 817 nm/RIU (with LPG) at the sensing refractive index of 1.40. The other advantage is that the working conditions can be performed for the well-developed telecom wavelength windows 1500-1600 nm.     

Multiplexed reflective-matched optical fiber grating interrogation technique

The multiplexed-reflective matched fiber grating interrogation technique was presented in this paper.The interrogation technique was based on the use of two (or more) wavelength-matched fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) to receive the reflected signal from the sensing FBG. The two (or more) matched gratings were arranged parallelly and used as filters to convert wavelength into intensity encoded information for interrogation. Theoretical and experimental results demonstrated that the interrogation system is immune to the source fluctuation and cross-sensitivity effect between temperature and strain, and also can enlarge the dynamic range.     

Fiber optic Fabry-Perot pressure sensor with low sensitivity to temperature changes for downhole application

Pressure and temperature are two important parameters in reservoir engineering. The fiber optic sensors can be used for permanent downhole monitoring. In this paper, we propose an extrinsic fiber Fabry-Perot interferometer (EFPI) sensor for pressure measurement with low sensitivity variation. The pressure sensitivity of EFPI sensor and of the fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors have been measured. The experimental pressure sensitivity for EFPI and FBG sensors are measured to be 2.75 × 10⁻⁸ 1/kPa and 1.52 × 10⁻⁸ 1/kPa, respectively. The temperature cross-sensitivity problem of the EFPI sensor has been solved by a new technique. The temperature sensitivity of EFPI sensor has been decreased to 1.2 × 10⁻⁶/°C, while the temperature sensitivity of non-compensated EFPI sensor has been measured to be 16.4 × 10⁻⁶/°C. The results show that the EFPI sensor has a higher pressure sensitivity and good capability to decrease temperature sensitivity in comparison to FBG sensor.     

Investigation on micro/nanofiber Bragg grating for refractive index sensing

We propose a refractometric sensor based on micro/nanofiber Bragg grating (MNFBG). The refractive index (RI) sensing performance dependence on the fiber radius and Bragg grating period of the sensor, as well as the temperature cross-sensitive effect, is investigated theoretically. The simulation results demonstrate that 400 nm-radius MNFBG has a linear response to RI ranging from 1.3 to 1.39 with a sensitivity as high as 992.7 nm/RIU and half temperature cross-sensitivity of normal FBG. A maximum sensitivity of up to 1200 nm/RIU and an outstanding RI resolution of 8.3 × 10^-6 can be achieved. MNFBG has high potential in various types of optical fiber sensor applications.     

长周期光纤光栅温度和应力传感特性研究

本文报道了长周期光纤光栅(LPG)温度和应力传感特性的实验研究结果,测得LPG的温度和应力灵敏系数均高于光纤布喇格光栅(FBG)灵敏系数的典型值,在11～80℃和0～100gf的温度和应力测量范围内,温度和应力响应曲线具有较好的线性.基于同一LPG不同透射波长具有不同温度和应力灵敏度的特性,实现了温度和应力的单光栅同时测量.     

Simultaneous strain and temperature measurement using a highly birefringence fiber loop mirror and a long-period grating written in a photonic crystal fiber

We present a new design for simultaneous strain and temperature measurement using a high-birefringence fiber loop mirror (HiBi-FLM) concatenated with a temperature-insensitive long-period grating (LPG) written in a photonic crystal fiber (PCF). The FLM acts as a sensor head, while the LPG in PCF serves as a filter to convert wavelength variation to optical power change. By measuring the wavelength variation and the power difference of two near peaks in the spectral response of this configuration, simultaneous strain and temperature measurement is obtained.     

Design and experiments on a wide range fiber Bragg grating sensor for health monitoring of coal mines

The tunnel collapse problem of coal mine is very common and its damage is very serious. It also seriously endangers people's lives and property safety. At present, a variety of instruments are used for tunnel roof structure health monitoring in most of the coal mines at home and abroad. In this paper, a displacement sensor using optical fiber grating technology was designed, which could be used to prevent the problem of coal mine tunnel collapse by monitoring the coal mine tunnel roof displacement. Firstly, finite element analysis was demonstrated to simulate the stress and displacement of coal mine tunnel roof to determine where to install the sensor. Then the characteristics of the fiber Bragg grating sensor were analyzed in detail and the sensor structure was designed according to the actual requirements in the coal mine. At last, the feasibility of the whole system was experimentally verified. The cross-sensitivity of the temperature and displacement issue with FBG sensors could be eliminated by using matched pairs of FBG. The measuring range of 50 mm and the measurement resolution up to 0.06 mm could be obtained with the proposed sensor.     

Dynamic analysis and temperature measurements of concrete cantilever beam using fibre Bragg gratings

We analyzed the action of fire, causing degradation in a concrete cantilever beam using dynamic testing. The structure was fitted with two fibre Bragg gratings (FBG) sensors. One of them measured vibration and the other measured the temperature inside of the cantilever beam, while the beam was exposed to fire. A high-temperature probe based on a simple packaging system, which isolates the sensing FBG from any mechanical action, was developed. A low-cost fibre Bragg grating interrogation system, including easy assembly and maintenance, was used for the measurements. The temperature in the cantilever beam increased until 150 °C and a reduction in the strength of concrete was observed through modal analysis. Results reveal a considerable reduction in strength occurs even with exposures to moderate temperatures (less than 90 °C).     

A High Resolution Fiber Bragg Grating Resonator Strain Sensing System

A strain sensing system is demonstrated, consisting of a fiber Bragg grating resonator as the strain-sensing element. Signal encoding and decoding is achieved by a synthetic heterodyne technique. A strain accuracy of ±0.426 μεwas attained; a value comparable to that of the classical fiber Fabry Perot (FFP) sensor and higher than conventional Bragg grating strain sensing schemes. This sensing element does not suffer from fabrication problems like the FFP sensor and the interrogation problems of the conventional Bragg grating sensor.     

Experimental research on a novel fiber-optic cantilever-type inclinometer

Experimental setup for tilt measurement and a novel signal detection method for demodulation of fiber Bragg grating (FBG) wavelength shift are proposed. Being attached, respectively, on the upper and lower surface of only one single pendulum-type cantilever element, only a couple of matched FBGs are used for both tilt angle sensing and wavelength shift signal demodulating. So the received light power will change due to the split of the two reflected spectra of FBGs, which corresponds to the tilt angle. In addition, the cross-sensitivity effect of FBG-based sensors will be solved automatically due to a differential signal process method. Experimental results indicate the measurement accuracy is about ± 0.03°, and measurement resolution is estimated to be about 0.002°.     

Design of an optical fiber sensor for linear thermal expansion measurement

Design and operation of an optical fiber device for temperature sensing and thermal expansion measurement are reported. The modulated intensity has been measured by using a pair of 450 μm core fiber, one acting as the source and the other one as receiving fiber. In this design, the light intensity modulation is based on the relative motion of the optical fibers and a reflective coated lens. By using displacement calibration data for this sensor, the linear thermal expansion of the aluminum rod is determined. This sensor shows an average sensitivity of about 11.3 mV/°C for temperature detection and 7 μm/°C for thermal expansion detection. Device resolution for a linear expansion measurement is about 3 μm for a dynamic range of 600 μm corresponding to a temperature change of 100°C. The measured linear expansion results are checked against the expected theoretical ones and an agreement within ±2 μm is noticed. The operation of this sensor was also compared with other types and some advantages are observed, which verify the capability of this design for such precise measurements.     

Simultaneous measurement of strain and temperature with a long-period fiber grating inscribed Sagnac interferometer

A Sagnac interferometer with a long-period fiber grating (LPG) inscribed in the polarization-maintaining fiber (PMF) is proposed and experimentally demonstrated for simultaneous measurement of strain and temperature. Due to the different responses of the LPG and the Sagnac interferometer to strain and temperature, simultaneous measurement can be achieved by monitoring the wavelength shifts and the intensity changes of a resonance dip of the sensor setup. The experimental results show that the achieved sensitivities to strain and temperature are 6.4 × 10^− 3 dB/με and 0.65 nm/°C, respectively.