Lufan Zou

Coherent probe-pump-based Brillouin sensor for centimeter-crack detection

We provide a theoretical explanation for a coherent probe-pump-based Brillouin sensor system that achieves centimeter spatial resolution with high-frequency resolution. It was recently discovered that, when a combination of cw and pulsed light (the probe beam) interacts with a cw laser (the pump beam), centimeter spatial resolution with high-frequency resolution can be achieved even though the probe-pulse duration is 1.5 ns [Opt. Lett. 29, 1485 (2004)]. Our study reveals that the coherent portion inside the pulse length of these two interactions caused by the same phase is responsible for this behavior. It allows us to detect 1.5-cm outer-layer cracks on an optical ground-wire cable.

Distributed Brillouin scattering sensor for discrimination of wall-thinning defects in steel pipe under internal pressure

A distributed Brillouin scattering sensor has been employed to identify several inner wall cutouts in an end-capped steel pipe by measuring the axial and hoop strain distributions along the outer surface of the pipe. The locations of structural indentations that constitute 50-60% of the inner pipe wall are found and distinguished by use of their corresponding strain-pressure data. These results are quantified in terms of the fiber orientation, defect size and depth, and behavior relative to those of unperturbed pipe sections.

Brillouin scattering spectrum in photonic crystal fiber with a partially germanium-doped core

The Brillouin scattering spectrum in a photonic crystal fiber (PCF) with a partially Ge-doped core is measured with a pump-probe technique at a wavelength of 1320 nm. One main peak and four subpeaks are observed. The main peak has a Lorentzian shape with the bandwidth deltanuB = 66 MHz. Its intensity is six times higher than that from a standard single-mode fiber measured under the same conditions, which is consistent with the ratio of (1/Aeff(PCF))/(1/Aeff(SMF)), where Aeff is the effective area of the fibers. The temperature coefficient for the main peak is 0.96 MHz/degrees C. We believe that the subpeaks are caused by an interaction between light-wave and guided modes of longitudinal acoustic waves in the graded-Ge-doped region, the silica region, and the microstructured cladding. An analysis of the guiding and antiguiding properties of the PCF for acoustic waves is presented.

Distributed Brillouin fiber sensor for detecting pipeline buckling in an energy pipe under internal pressure.

A distributed Brillouin fiber sensor has been employed to detect localized pipe-wall buckling in an energy pipe by measuring the longitudinal and hoop strain distributions along the outer surface of the pipe for the first time. The locations of the localized pipe-wall buckling are found and distinguished using their corresponding strain-load data. The formation of the buckling process for the compression and tension characters is studied in the longitudinal and hoop directions. For the pipe with internal pressure, concentric load, and bending load, a localized pipe-wall buckling takes place away from the middle of the pipe on the compressive side and a strain peak with an overall buckling occurs on the tensile side according to the longitudinal strain distributions along the pipe. Different strains on two neutral lines are also observed in the hoop strain distribution, which should be caused by the pipe weld joint.

Effect of Brillouin slow light on distributed Brillouin fiber sensors

The effect of Brillouin slow light on distributed Brillouin fiber sensors (DBFSs) is studied. We demonstrate Brillouin slow light for a 1.2 ns pulse with peak powers (PS) from 3.3 to 56.2 mW on depletion of the pump power (PP) ranging from 1.3 to 83.2 mW in conventional optical fibers (SMF-28). Experiments show that, when pump power depletion is not negligible, for a given PP the Brillouin gain and delay time of a pulse decrease when PS increases in a long (> or =10 km) sensing fiber. The optimum pump beam depletion resulting from strong interaction of the pump and the probe in the fiber provides accurate temperature and strain information at a high spatial resolution. Our study reveals that at low PP the spatial resolution error caused by the pulse delay for a DBFS with centimeter spatial resolution is less than 5% of the pulse length.

Subpeaks in the Brillouin loss spectra of distributed fiber-optic sensors.

Subpeaks in the Brillouin loss spectra of distributed fiber-optic sensors were observed for what is believed to be the first time and studied. We discovered that the Fourier spectrum of the pulsed signal and the off-resonance oscillation both contributed to subpeaks. The off-resonance oscillation at frequency /v - vB/ is the oscillation in the Brillouin time domain when beat frequency v of the two counterpropagating laser beams does not match local Brillouin frequency vB. This study is important in differentiating the subpeaks from actual strain-temperature peaks.

Theoretical study of the effect of slow light on BOTDA spatial resolution.

Due to the resonant nature of Brillouin scattering, delay occurs while pulse is propagating in an optical fiber. This effect influences the location accuracy of distributed Brillouin sensors. The maximum delay in sensing fibers depends on length, position, pump and Stokes powers. Considering pump depletion, we have obtained integral solutions for the coupled amplitude equations under steady state conditions and then calculated the group delay. The results show that moderate pump depletion (which is the optimized sensor working range) mitigates significantly the delay, and the maximum delay induced at resonance is only a fraction of Brillouin Optical Time Domain (BOTDA) spatial resolution, which means that the use of pulse width to define the spatial resolution is valid when Brillouin slow light is considered. We have shown that uniform strain and temperature distribution in a fiber gives the maximum delay induced uncertainty.

Distributed Brillouin temperature sensing in photonic crystal fiber

Temperature sensing experiments have been carried out on a photonic crystal fiber (PCF) using a coherent pump–probe technique which was operated in the Brillouin loss mode in the temperature range from 0 to 71 °C at 1320 nm. One main peak and four sub-peaks were observed. The temperature coefficients corresponding to different resonance peaks varied between 0.96 and 1.25 MHz °C−1. We discuss the potential application, based on these novel characteristics, of the PCF as a distributed temperature and strain sensor (simultaneously).

Accurate strain detection and localisation with the distributed Brillouin sensor based on phenomenological signal processing approach

We introduce a phenomenological model, based on steady state analytical solution adapted to transient regime through modification of the Brillouin spectrum with the pulse spectrum. This model can accurately de-convolve the strain profiles from measured spectra. The model includes experimental parameters such as the electro-optic modulator Extinction Ratio, the pulse width, pulse and pump powers, position and sensing fibre length. The pulse base is treated as pure steady state contribution. A systematic numerical analysis has been carried out and the results are qualitatively matched with our experimental results. The experimental results have been used to validate the model and evaluate its limitations. Within this context, the approach has been applied to experimental data obtained under well-controlled laboratory conditions. The agreement is good and reflects the Brillouin frequency and then the strain distribution along the fibre. The approach is also successful when used to deconvolve the main strain contributions of a pipe subjected to a compression stress. The strength of the model lies in its simplicity of implementation because it is quasi-analytical and is not restricted to short fibre lengths.

Brillouin spectral deconvolution method for centimeter spatial resolution and high-accuracy strain measurement in Brillouin sensors

Combining a dc and a short pulse (approximately 1 ns) as the probe beam in the pump-probe configuration of Brillouin-based distributed sensors allows us to represent the Brillouin spectrum as a top Lorentzian-like portion and a bottom Gaussian-like portion. Because of the interaction of these two parts, the Lorentzian-like portion carries spatial information that can be extracted within centimeter spatial resolution. Using this information, we develop a spectrum deconvolution method, which considers the location correlation of the strain distribution, to find the number of Brillouin peaks and their frequencies in the top Lorentzian-like portion and hence achieve accurate strain information. An optimum level of dc to pulse power for the best signal and position detection capability is discussed.