基于SM-NCF反射光谱辨识的液体折射率监测方法

针对分子生物学与环境监测领域高灵敏度特异性检测需求,提出一种基于反射光谱特征辨识的单端反射式光纤折射率传感器模型,并给出了这种基于多模干涉原理的单模光纤-无芯光纤(Single mode fiber-No core fiber, SM-NCF)串接结构传感机理及其理论模型。无芯光纤实质上是一种结构特殊的多模光纤,在实际应用中无芯光纤结构本身作为纤芯,外界环境介质当作包层,构成光波导结构。这与普通多模光纤相比,不需要采用氢氟酸对多模光纤的包层进行化学腐蚀,不会降低光纤的机械性能,也不会破坏芯模传输条件,可以更好的实现对周围环境折射率的传感监测。当无芯光纤所处外界环境折射率发生改变时,其波导结构和包层有效折射率均会发生改变,从而引起传输光信号的纵向传播常数和模场分布也会随之发生改变,最终导致不同波长对应传输光功率的变化。上述效应反映在反射光谱上,即干涉波谷对应的谐振波长、波谷峰值强度以及半波宽度发生相应变化,通过辨识该反射光谱特征就可实现对外界环境折射率的测量。借助光束传播法(BPM),数值模拟得到无芯光纤长度分别为自映像距离和非自映像距离时的SM-NCF内部光场能量分布规律,并制作了无芯光纤长度分别为自映像距离和非自映像距离的SM-NCF光纤折射率传感探头,将作为传感区域的无芯光纤一端与标准单模光纤熔接,采用磁控溅射技术在无芯光纤另一端面镀上金膜,用以提升反射光谱强度。在此基础上,搭建了基于SM-NCF终端反射型的光纤折射率试验系统,并开展了相关实验研究。研究结果表明,当无芯光纤长度是15 mm(自映像距离)时,随着液体折射率从1.331 5依次增大至1.390 2,SM-NCF反射光谱逐渐向长波方向偏移,其反射峰谐振波长对应的折射率灵敏度约为197.57 nm·RIU-1,相关系数为0.93;反射峰值强度也呈现逐渐降低趋势,其折射率灵敏度约为-62.80 dB·RIU-1。当无芯光纤长度是20 mm(非自映像距离)时,随着液体折射率依次增大,SM-NCF反射光谱呈现明显双峰现象,且均逐渐向长波方向偏移,dip2谐振峰波长折射率灵敏度约为133 nm·RIU-1,相关系数为0.96;反射峰值强度也呈现逐渐降低趋势,其折射率灵敏度约为-31.66 dB·RIU-1。对比分析可知,不论是从反射峰谐振波长偏移的角度,还是从反射峰值强度的角度,自映像距离长度对应的 SM-NCF终端反射型光纤传感器均具有较高灵敏度。对于相同折射率液体环境,非自映像距离长度对应的SM-NCF反射光谱半波宽度与自映像距离长度相比,呈现显著变窄趋势。相对于SMS透射型传感结构,当传感区域长度相同时,SM-NCF反射型结构能够实现对光波信号的往返两次调节。这种终端反射型SM-NCF传感器改进了传统透射型折射率传感器不便与待测液体相接触的缺点,具有结构简单、易于制作、抗电磁干扰能力强以及便于远程遥测等优点,能够为后续生化与环保监测领域研究应用提供有益支持。     

Fiber-optic beam shaper based on multimode interference

A new method of fiber-optic based beam shaping is investigated both numerically and experimentally. A cylindrically symmetric method of lines (MoLs) is developed to simulate the device. The device is fabricated by fusion splicing a predetermined length of multimode fiber (MMF) to a single-mode fiber. The multimode interference (MMI) effects create ring-shaped field profiles at certain positions inside the MMF. The shaped beam can be used in medical applications requiring particular irradiation patterns.     

基于无芯光纤强度调制型液位传感器的设计与性能

利用强度调制型光纤传感器容易解调的优势,提出了一种强度调制型光纤液位传感器.传感器由三根无芯光纤组成,其中,无芯光纤1与无芯光纤2串联构成测量臂,无芯光纤3构成参考臂.仿真分析得出,无芯光纤长度每缩短1mm,透射峰波长增加25.46nm.在0~50mm小液位范围内,实验测得传感器在水、5%NaCl、10%NaCl和15%NaCl水溶液四种液体环境中的液位灵敏度分别为0.069 5dB/mm、0.074 73dB/mm、0.077 49dB/mm及0.082 71dB/mm,线性度分别为0.998 25、0.998 49、0.988 11及0.995 13,线性度较高.该传感器可较好地消除光源光功率波动与环境温度变化带来的影响,重复性较好,在石油化工领域有一定的应用潜力.     

Temperature-independent bending sensor with tilted fiber Bragg grating interacting with multimode fiber

A new type fiber bending sensor based on a tilted fiber Bragg grating (TFBG) interacting with a multimode fiber (MMF) is presented. The sensing head is formed by insertion of a small section of MMF between a single-mode fiber (SMF) and the TFBG. The average reflective power in the cladding modes decreases with the increase of curvature. The measurement range of the curvature from 0 to 2.5 m⁻¹ with a measurement sensitivity of −802.4 nW/m⁻¹ is achieved. The proposed sensor is also proved as temperature-independent from the experimental investigation.     

基于Michelson干涉仪的高灵敏度光纤高温探针传感器

提出了一种简单的高灵敏度的光纤高温探针传感器, 该传感器由一小段多模光纤和一端镀有银膜的单模光纤熔接而成. 由于单模光纤和多模光纤的纤芯直径不同, 当光波从多模光纤传输至多模光纤和单模光纤的熔接端面时, 一部分纤芯光耦合进包层, 因为单模光纤纤芯的折射率和包层的折射率不同, 不同模式的光经过银膜反射后在多模光纤内重新耦合进单模光纤, 最终形成干涉.随着外界温度的升高, 干涉谱峰值会向长波方向漂移. 实验结果证明这种传感器在470 ℃–600 ℃范围内具有很好的稳定性, 线性度达99.7%, 灵敏度为120 pm/℃, 可作为远距离反射型探针温度传感器, 在石油探测和油气田开发等领域有着广泛的应用前景. 关键词： 光纤传感 温度测量 Michelson干涉     

All-fiber Mach-Zehnder curvature sensor based on multimode interference combined with a long-period grating

A novel Mach-Zehnder interferometer based on a fiber multimode interference structure combined with a long-period fiber grating (LPG) is proposed. The multimode interference is achieved through the use of a MMF section spliced between two single-mode fibers, with a length adjusted to couple a fraction of light into the cladding modes. A LPG placed after the MMF couples light back into the fiber core, completing the Mach-Zehnder interferometer. This novel configuration was demonstrated as a bending sensor.     

Effect of the Pd-Au thin film thickness uniformity on the performance of an optical fiber hydrogen sensor

Thin alloy film of Pd and Au, formed by simultaneous electron-beam and thermal evaporation techniques, respectively, is used in the design of an optical fiber hydrogen sensor. The sensor consists of a multimode fiber (MMF) in which a short section of single mode fiber (SMF), coated with the Pd-Au thin film, is inserted. Due to core diameter mismatch, the SMF cladding guides light, allowing the interaction between the sensing layer and the guided light. When the sensor is exposed to hydrogen, the Pd-Au layer refractive index diminishes and causes attenuation changes on the transmitted light. Several samples with different layer thickness uniformity were fabricated and tested in a very simple experimental set-up. We have observed that the sensor signal change is dependant on layer thickness uniformity, since the effective interaction length between the evanescent field and the sensing layer is increased. By contrast, such uniformity practically has no influence on the time response of the sensor. The resulting Pd-Au film can detect 4% hydrogen with a response time of 15 s.     

具有温度自校准功能的光纤折射率传感器

提出一种具有温度自校准功能的光纤折射率（RI）传感器,传感头结构由2段很短的多模光纤（MMF）之间夹熔一段对折射率不敏感的光纤布拉格光栅（FBG）构成,传感头总长度为14 mm,FBG可以为折射率测量提供良好的温度校准功能。实验结果证明,该传感器的折射率灵敏度为126 nm。其干涉光谱共振波长的温度灵敏度为35.09 pm/℃,用于温度校准的FBG的温度灵敏度为11.14 pm/℃。相比于普通的折射率传感器,这种具有温度自校准功能的折射率传感器具有良好的实用前景。     

Simulation and experimental research on polymer fiber mode selection polished coupler

Multimode dispersion is the main obstacle for high bandwidth in multimode optical fiber （MMF） communication system. Mode selection is an effective method to oppress multimode dispersion. We propose and investigate a kind of polymer optical fiber polished coupler. Beam propagation method （BPM） is employed to calculate the coupling coefficient of transmission modes in MMF coupler, and an output pattern from coupling branch is obtained. Analysis and experiment show that this coupler can select certain modes by changing polished depth, contact area, and intersection angle of two branches, which means that the device can be employed both as a mode selector and a sensor. In addition, simulation shows that five times bandwidth enhancement may be realized by selecting modes with the polymer fiber polished coupler.     

具有大范围高分辨率线性响应特性的超短无芯光纤溶液折射率传感器

通过理论与实验对比, 证明模式传输分析(MPA)方法求解单模-多模-单模(SMS)结构的可行性. 以MPA理论为基础, 提出了SMS结构折射率传感装置线性响应点的寻找方法. 利用该方法为实验制作的无芯光纤SMS折射率传感器设计了大范围高分辨率线性响应位置, 并在实验中获得证实. 实验采用短至4.4 mm的直径104 μ无芯光纤, 在折射率1.326–1.417范围上获得了19.10 dB的功率线性变化, 以商用光功率计0.01 dB分辨率计, 折合折射率分辨率4.76×10^-5, 实现了理论指导下的大范围高分辨率线性响应. 关键词： 全光纤折射率传感器 多模干涉仪 SMS 无芯光纤     

Temperature-calibrated fiber-optic refractometer based on acompact FBG-SMS structure

A novel all-fiber temperature-calibrated refractometer based on a compact fiber Bragg grating(FBG) single-multi-single(SMS)structure is proposed and experimentally demonstrated.The sensor head is composed of a FBG combined with a SMS structure,in which the middle multimode fiber(MMF)section is etched by a time-controlled hydrofluoric.The transmission dip of SMS is extremely sensitive to ambient refractive index(RI)variation,whereas the upstream FBG provides the necessary temperature information for RI calibration.All aforementioned functions are performed via a compact FBG-SMS structure not longer than 25 mm.The proposed sensing device provides a linear RI sensitivity over water or waterbased solutions(RI values near 1.33 at optical wavelengths for most biological and many environmental applications),and has temperature-calibration capability.Hence,the said refractometer is a good candidate for sensing in chemical and biological applications.     

波长和强度同时响应的锥形多模光纤温度传感器

通过将一段长为17 mm的多模光纤两端分别与单模光纤对芯熔接,然后对多模光纤部分进行拉锥处理,得到一种波长和强度同时对温度响应的锥形多模光纤温度传感器。实验研究了30 ℃~80 ℃范围内传感器的温度传感特性。实验结果表明:当环境温度发生变化时,该传感器在1 542 nm附近干涉波谷的波长和强度对温度的响应灵敏度分别可达到0. 041 nm/℃和0. 106 dB/℃,并且传感器干涉条纹的波长响应和强度响应之间呈良好的线性关系。基于传感器波长响应与强度响应之间的该线性关系,通过传感信号强度的检测即可实现干涉型光纤传感器的相位解调,该方法为传感解调信号提供了新思路,具有重要的参考价值。     

Wavelength-encoded fiber-optic temperature sensor with ultra-high sensitivity

We present in this paper a wavelength-encoded fiber-optic temperature sensor with ultra-high sensitivity. The sensor consists of a segment of multimode fiber (MMF) with a polymer cladding spliced between two single mode fibers, forming a multimode fiber interferometer. For a temperature sensor with a 55 mm long MMF and a 45 mm long polymer cladding, a temperature sensitivity of −3.195 nm/°C has been achieved over a temperature range of 10 °C which is mainly limited by the spectral range of the light source used in the experiments. It has been found that the high temperature sensitivity is mainly attributed to the high thermo-optic coefficient of the polymer cladding. Other advantages of the temperature sensor reported here include its extremely simple structure and fabrication process, and hence a very low cost.     

基于光纤锥和纤芯失配的Mach-Zehnder干涉湿度传感器

介绍了一种简单且灵敏度较高的Mach-Zehnder干涉湿度传感器.将单模光纤和多模光纤渐变熔接光纤锥,色散补偿光纤被熔接在两个多模渐变光纤之间,形成了单模光纤-光纤锥-多模渐变光纤-色散补偿光纤-多模渐变光纤-光纤锥-单模光纤结构的传感器.光纤锥起到了增加包层模能量的作用,两个多模渐变光纤节点作为光耦合器,从而形成光纤Mach-Zehnder干涉仪.外界环境湿度的变化,将使得传感器透射谱能量发生变化,通过测量干涉谱波峰峰值能量实现对湿度的测量.实验结果表明干涉谱波峰峰值能量与环境湿度之间存在良好的线性关系.当环境湿度在35%RH—85%RH范围内变化,一段由20 mm色散补偿光纤组成的传感器,其灵敏度为-0.0668 dB/%RH,相关度为0.995.该传感器结构紧凑、尺寸小、制造工艺简单,这使其可以被广泛用于湿度测量.     

基于无芯光纤的多参数测量传感器

设计并制作了一种基于单模-无芯-单模-无芯-单模光纤结构的马赫-曾德尔传感器,可用来同时测量折射率和温度.该传感器中,两处无芯光纤充当输入、输出耦合器,中间单模光纤作为传感臂.利用有限元仿真和理论分析,确定耦合器和传感臂的最优长度为15 mm.在无芯光纤中激发出的高阶模进入单模光纤的包层传输,由于倏逝场的作用,受到环境折射率和温度的影响.选取透射谱不同干涉级次的波谷作为研究对象,实现了折射率和温度的同步测量.实验结果表明:1545 nm附近干涉谷的折射率和温度灵敏度分别为–153.89 nm/RIU(refractive index unit)和0.166 nm/℃;1570 nm附近干涉谷的折射率和温度灵敏度分别为–202.74 nm/RIU和0.183 nm/℃.该传感器在实现折射率和温度同步测量的同时,仍能保持较高灵敏度,在生物医疗等方面有着较好的应用前景.     

Fiber-optic microbend sensor structure

We proposed and experimentally investigated a novel microbend sensor structure. The structure is composed of single-mode leads and multimode sensing fiber. The proposed structure exhibited a level of sensitivity as much as six times higher than that of the classical microbend sensor configuration when the same sensing fiber was used. Additionally, single-mode leads reduce lead noise and allow the use of more-coherent sources. The total loss of the proposed nondeformed structure is near 2 dB when the proper splicing method is used.     

Cross-point analysis for a multimode fiber sensor based on surface plasmon resonance

A novel analysis based on surface plasmon resonance (SPR) with a side-polished multimode fiber and a white-light (halogen light) source is presented. The sensing system is a multimode optical fiber in which half of the core has been polished away and a 40 nm gold layer is deposited on to the polished surface by dc sputter. The SPR dip in the optical spectrum is investigated with an optical spectrum analyzer (OSA). In our SPR fiber sensor, the use of liquids with different refractive indices leads to a shift in the spectral dip in the SPR curve. The cross point (CP) of the two SPR spectra obtained from the refractive-index liquid and the deionized water measurements was observed with the OSA. The CP is shifted sensitively in wavelength from 630 to 1300 nm relative to a change in the refractive index of the liquid from 1.34 to 1.46. High sensitivities of 1.9 x 10(-6) refractive-index units (RIUs) in the range of the refractive index of the liquid from 1.40 to 1.44 of 5.7 x 10(-7) RIUs above the value of 1.44 are proposed and demonstrated in our novel SPR analysis.     

Single-transverse-mode output from a fiber laser based on multimode interference

An alternative original approach to achieve single-transverse-mode laser emissions from multimode (MM) active fibers is demonstrated. The fiber cavity is constructed by simply splicing a conventional passive single-mode fiber (SMF-28) onto a few centimeters-long active MM fiber section whose length is precisely controlled. Owing to the self-imaging property of multimode interference (MMI) in the MM fiber, diffraction-limited laser output is obtained from the end of the SMF-28, and the MMI fiber laser is nearly as efficient as the corresponding MM fiber laser. Moreover, because of the spectral filtering effect during in-phase MMI, the bandwidth of the MMI fiber laser is below 0.5 nm.     

High-performance 90° hybrid based on a silicon-on-insulator multimode interference coupler

We propose a multimode interference coupler (MMI) design for high-index-contrast technologies based on a shallowly etched multimode region, which is, for the first time to our knowledge, directly coupled to deeply etched input and output waveguides. This reduces the phase errors associated with the high-index contrast, while still allowing for a very compact layout. Using this structure, we fabricate a 2 × 4 MMI operating as a 90° hybrid, with a footprint of only 0.65 mm × 0.53 mm, including all the structures necessary to couple light to a fiber array. We experimentally demonstrate a common mode rejection ratio better than -20 dBe and phase errors better than ±5° in a ~50 nm bandwidth.     

Packaging and Characteristics of a Tapered Fiber Sensor for Refractive-Index Measurements

In this study, we demonstrate the design and fabrication of a tapered fiber sensor with a sensing application based on a new (high-sensitivity) package. We study the effect of various geometric parameters such as the uniform segment diameter, the uniform segment length, and the incident angle of the optical wave on the tapered fiber sensor sensitivity for evanescent sensing. Our study shows that high sensitivity of the tapered fiber can be realized by optimizing its parameters. In addition, we design a novel packaging of a tapered-fiber sensor, which can efficiently ensure a uniform stress and reduce the cross sensitivity caused by stress in liquid detection using a tapered fiber sensor. We report the experimental results obtained using this tapered fiber sensor for refractive-index measurements. As the refractive index of liquids varies from 1.417 to 1.423, the measurement results show that the refractive-index sensitivity of the tapered fiber sensor is as high as 4860 nm/RIU.