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- OTDR (7)
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- Polymer optical fibers (POF) (6)
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- Distributed sensor (5)
- Distributed strain sensor (5)
- Fiber optic sensors (5)
- Geotextiles (4)
- POF sensor (4)
This paper presents new methods to calculate and interpret Rayleigh scattering profiles in polymer optical fibers (POF) recorded by optical time domain reflectometry (OTDR). In contrast to Silica glass optical fibers (GOF), POF experience inhomogeneous stress when being strained, resulting in small scattering centers which allow for a new distributed sensor based on POF. New methods to overcome issues like blurring due to modal dispersion, uncertainties due to inhomogenious losses in the fiber and signal degradation due to viscoelastic creep in the polymer, are presented, for the first time to our knowledge.
We characterize the Brillouin gain spectra (BGS) in perfluorinated graded-index polymer optical fibers (PFGI-POFs) at 1.32 µm and 1.55 µm. Three kinds of PFGI-POFs with the same core diameter, but which are fabricated by different manufacturers, are tested. For all the PFGI-POFs, the Stokes power measured at 1.32 µm is higher than that at 1.55 µm due to the lower propagation loss, but significant differences in Stokes power are observed among the three. Based on the measurement obtained by the optical time-domain reflectometry, we show that the actual propagation loss of the PFGI-POFs plays a crucial role in observing BGS.
Distributed fiber optic sensors embedded in technical textiles for structural health monitoring
(2010)
Technical textiles with embedded distributed fiber optic sensors have been developed for the purposes of structural health monitoring in geotechnical and civil engineering. The distributed fiber optic sensors are based on Brillouin scattering in silica optical fibers and OTDR in polymer optical fibers. Such "smart" technical textiles can be used for reinforcement of geotechnical and masonry structures and the embedded fiber optic sensors can provide information about the condition of the structures and detect the presence of any damages and destructions in real time. Thus, structural health monitoring of critical geotechnical and civil infrastructures can be realized. The paper highlights the results achieved in this innovative field in the framework of several German and European projects.
In this document a new distributed sensor based on Rayleigh scattering in polymer optical fibers (POF) is proposed and first measurement results of the proposed sensor are shown. Different from Silica glas optical fibers POF absorb high quantities of water resulting in a change of their molecular structure and thereby reducing the present small scattering centers in areas of high humidity. The interdependence between scattering intensity and relative humidity is being investigated in case of steady cycles as well as stepwise changes of humidity and in the presence of moisture. A quantitative measure of humidity and scattering is presented.
The potential of the use of POF as distributed sensors in several application fields has been successfully demonstrated. The distributed POF sensors have moved from the laboratory to the field. The paper presents the recent progress in the development of distributed POF sensors and addresses the main challenges to this innovative technology.
Distributed polymer optical fiber sensors in geotextiles for monitoring of earthwork structures
(2009)
Sensing characteristics of polymer optical fibers (POF) are studied using the optical
time-domain reflectometry technique. For the first time to our knowledge, investigations are
carried out with respect to integration of POF in technical textiles for distributed measurement
of mechanical deformation. The research on this new sensor type focuses on its application in
monitoring of geotechnical structures such as railway embankments, dikes, slopes and dams.
We report on a distributed sensor system using POF integrated in technical textiles as sensing
elements for measurement of displacement of soil. This sensor system is very robust it
withstands the integration under rough condition at a construction site and can detect strain
of more than 40 % over distances of more than 100 meters.
The presented research is carried out on the background of the development of a new strain sensor, integrated in technical textiles using the optical time domain reflectometry (OTDR) technique. We investigated the effect of increased scattering in POF due to applied strain as a distributed sensor including research on long-term stability and reliability of this sensor.
Fiber optic sensors based on polymer optical fibers (POF) have the advantage of being very elastic and robust at the same time. Unlike silica fibers, standard PMMA POF fibers can be strained to more than 40% while fully maintaining their light guiding properties. We investigated POF as a distributed strain sensor by analysing the backscatter increase at the strained section using the optical time domain reflectometry (OTDR) technique. This sensing ability together with its high robustness and break-down strain makes POF well-suited for integration into technical textiles for structural health monitoring purposes. Within the European research project POLYTECT (Polyfunctional textiles against natural hazards) technical textiles with integrated POF sensors, among others sensors are being developed for online structural health monitoring of geotechnical structures. Mechanical deformation in slopes, dams, dikes, embankments and retrofitted masonry structures is to be detected before critical damage occurs. In this paper we present the POF strain sensor properties, reactions to disturbing influences as temperature and bends as well as the results of the different model tests we conducted within POLYTECT. We further show the potential of perfluorinated graded-index POF for distributed strain sensing with increased spatial resolution and measurement lengths.