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Fiber Optic Distributed Sensors for High-resolution Temperature Field Mapping
Published on: November 7, 2016
Distributed high-temperature pressure sensing using air-hole microstructural fibers.
Tong Chen1, Qingqing Wang, Rongzhang Chen
1Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261, USA.
Optics Letters
|March 27, 2012
Summary
This study demonstrates high-temperature pressure sensing using polarization-maintaining (PM) fibers and Rayleigh scattering. The novel system offers a distributed sensing solution for extreme environments.
Area of Science:
- Fiber optics
- Optical sensing
- Materials science
Background:
- High-temperature environments pose challenges for traditional pressure sensors.
- Polarization-maintaining (PM) fibers offer unique properties for optical sensing applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and demonstrate a spatially resolved, high-temperature pressure sensing system.
- To investigate the performance of different PM fibers under high-temperature pressure conditions.
Main Methods:
- Spatially resolved Rayleigh scattering measurements were performed.
- Polarization-resolved frequency-swept interferometry was used to interrogate pressure-induced birefringence.
- Measurements were conducted on PM photonic crystal fiber and twin-air-hole PM fiber.
Main Results:
- The pressure responses of PM fibers were characterized from 0 to 13.8 MPa (0-2000 psi).
- Sensing capabilities were validated at temperatures up to 800 °C.
- The system achieved truly distributed pressure sensing in high-temperature applications.
Conclusions:
- The proposed method enables effective high-temperature pressure sensing using PM fibers.
- This technology offers a novel distributed sensing solution for demanding industrial environments.
- Further research can explore advanced PM fiber designs for enhanced sensitivity and range.
