High-resolution spectrally-resolved fiber optic sensor interrogation system based on a standard DWDM laser module.

Area of Science:

• Photonics and Optical Engineering
• Sensor Technology
• Telecommunications

Background:

• Fiber-optic sensors, including Bragg gratings and Fabry-Perot sensors, are crucial for various measurement applications.
• Accurate and high-resolution interrogation systems are essential for extracting sensor data effectively.
• Existing systems may face limitations in terms of cost, complexity, or performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a novel spectrally-resolved integration system for reading various fiber-optic sensors.
• To demonstrate a cost-effective and high-performance interrogation solution.
• To enable straightforward qualification for demanding applications using standard components.

Main Methods:

• The system utilizes a standard telecommunication dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) transmission module.
• Key components include a distributed feedback (DFB) laser diode and a wavelength locker.
• Minimal additional opto-electronic components are required for the experimental setup.

Main Results:

• The experimental system demonstrated a wavelength interrogation range of over 2 nm.
• A high wavelength resolution of 1 pm was achieved.
• When combined with a Bragg grating sensor, a strain resolution of 1 με and temperature resolution of 0.1 °C were experimentally verified.

Conclusions:

• The proposed system offers a spectrally-resolved solution for fiber-optic sensors.
• The use of standard, Telecordia-compliant photonic components ensures reliability and ease of integration.
• This technology is well-suited for demanding applications requiring precise measurements.