Compact and multiplexible hydrogen gas sensor assisted by self-referencing technique

Area of Science:

• Optoelectronics
• Chemical Sensing
• Materials Science

Background:

• Hydrogen gas leakage poses significant safety risks in various industrial applications.
• Accurate and reliable hydrogen detection systems are crucial for preventing accidents.
• Existing sensor technologies may face limitations in terms of multiplexing capability, size, and susceptibility to environmental noise.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and experimentally implement a multiplexible and compact fiber sensor system for multipoint hydrogen gas leakage detection.
• To compensate for measurement errors caused by optical source power fluctuation and mechanical perturbations.
• To enable the multiplexing of several hydrogen sensors by adjusting dual-cavity lengths.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a compact fiber sensor system with dual cavities along an optical fiber.
• Coating a palladium film exclusively at the fiber tip to enhance sensitivity and selectivity.
• Experimental validation of the sensor's performance, including response speed and amplitude at varying temperatures.

Main Results:

• The developed fiber sensor system demonstrated successful compensation for optical source power fluctuation and mechanical perturbations.
• The system's design allows for multiplexing of multiple hydrogen sensors by tuning the dual-cavity length.
• Sensor response speed increased with temperature, while response amplitude was larger at lower temperatures.

Conclusions:

• The implemented fiber sensor system offers a promising solution for multipoint hydrogen gas leakage monitoring.
• The dual-cavity design and palladium coating contribute to improved accuracy and robustness.
• Temperature significantly influences the sensor's response characteristics, requiring consideration in practical applications.