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2 cm spatial-resolution and 2 km range Brillouin optical fiber sensor using a transient differential pulse pair
Yongkang Dong1, Hongying Zhang, Liang Chen
1Fiber Optics Group, Department of Physics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, K1N 6N5, Canada. aldendong@gmail.com
Applied Optics
|March 24, 2012
Summary
This study presents an optimized distributed temperature sensor using differential pulse-width pair Brillouin optical time-domain analysis (DPP-BOTDA). The new method achieves 2 cm spatial resolution and 2°C accuracy over 2 km, enhancing sensing capabilities.
Area of Science:
- Fiber optic sensing
- Optical physics
- Metrology
Background:
- Distributed temperature sensing (DTS) is crucial for monitoring infrastructure.
- Brillouin optical time-domain analysis (BOTDA) offers long-range sensing but often lacks high spatial resolution.
- Differential pulse-width pair BOTDA (DPP-BOTDA) aims to improve resolution but faces signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To enhance the spatial resolution and accuracy of DPP-BOTDA systems.
- To overcome the SNR reduction inherent in DPP-BOTDA signal processing.
- To demonstrate a high-resolution, long-range distributed temperature sensor.
Main Methods:
- Optimized DPP-BOTDA technique by reducing pulse widths into the transient regime (near or below phonon lifetime).
- Utilized an 8/8.2 ns pulse pair with a 150 ps fall-time pulse generator.
- Implemented signal processing to mitigate SNR reduction post-differential operation.
Main Results:
- Achieved a spatial resolution of 2 cm.
- Demonstrated a temperature accuracy of 2 °C.
- Successfully performed hot-spot detection over a 2 km sensing fiber.
Conclusions:
- Optimizing pulse width in DPP-BOTDA significantly improves spatial resolution.
- The developed sensor provides high-resolution, long-range temperature monitoring capabilities.
- This advancement is valuable for applications requiring precise localized temperature measurements.
