G.P. Brady

Demultiplexing of fibre Bragg grating temperature and strain sensors

We describe a demultiplexing scheme for fibre optic Bragg grating sensors in which signal recovery is achieved by locking each sensor grating to a corresponding receiver grating. As a demonstration, the technique is applied to strain and temperature sensing, achieving a resolution of 3.0 µe and 0.2°C, respectively.

Recent developments in optical fiber sensing using fiber Bragg gratings

We report on recent work on sensing using in-fiber Bragg gratings carried out in our laboratory. First, an alternative method of discriminating between temperature and strain effects using a conventionally written, in-fiber Bragg grating is presented. The technique uses wavelength information from the first and second diffraction orders of the grating element to determine the wavelength dependent strain and temperature coefficients, from which independent temperature and strain measurements can be made. Secondly, we describe an all-fiber, passive scheme for making extended range interferometric measurements based on the dual wavelength technique. A coherence turned interferometer network is illuminated with a single superfluorescent fiber source at 1.55 mm and the two wavelengths are synthesized at the output by means of chirped fiber Bragg gratings.

Simultaneous interrogation of interferometric and Bragg grating sensors

We propose a new method for the simultaneous interrogation of conventional two-beam interferometers and Bragg grating sensors. The technique employs an unbalanced Mach-Zehnder interferometer illuminated by a single low coherence source, which acts as a wavelength-tunable source for the grating and as a path-matched filter for the Fizeau interferometer, thus providing a high phase resolution output for each sensor. The grating sensor demonstrates a dynamic strain resolution of ~0.05 µ.epsilon/√Hz at 20 Hz, while the interferometric phase resolution is better than 1 mrad/√Hz at 20 Hz, corresponding to an rms mirror displacement of 0.08 nm.

Simple multiplexing scheme for fiber optic grating sensor networks

A novel approach for the interrogation of multiplexed fiber optic Bragg grating sensors is described. Signal recovery is achieved by matching a receiving grating to a corresponding sensor grating. As a demonstration, the technique is applied to strain sensing.

Wavelength-division and spatial multiplexing using tandem interferometers for Bragg grating sensor networks

We present a new method for the interrogation of large arrays of Bragg grating sensors. Eight gratings operating between the wavelengths of 1533 and 1555 nm have been demultiplexed. An unbalanced Mach—Zehnder interferometer illuminated by a single low-coherence source provides a high-phase-resolution output for each sensor, the outputs of which are sequentially selected in wavelength by a tunable Fabry-Perot interferometer. The minimum detectable strain measured was 90 ne-vHz at 7 Hz for a wavelength of 1535 nm.

Extended-range, low coherence dual wavelength interferometry using a superfluorescent fibre source and chirped fibre Bragg gratings

We describe an all-fibre, passive scheme for making extended range interferometric measurements based on the dual wavelength technique. The coherence tuned interferometer network is illuminated with a single superfluorescent fibre source at 1.55 μm and the two wavelengths are synthesised at the output by means of chirped fibre Bragg gratings. We demonstrate an unambiguous sensing range of 270 μm, with a dynamic range of 2.7 × 105.

Bragg grating temperature and strain sensors.

wavelength changes when the fibre is placed under strain or subjected to a change in temperature so the grating may beused as a sensor.Many gratings may be written at arbritrary locations in the fibre so strain or temperature can be monitored atchosen discrete points over large distances. Possible applications include monitoring body temperature for medical