Accurate Strain Sensing Based On Super-Mode Interference In Strongly Coupled Multi-Core Optical Fibres

We report on the use of a multi-core fibre (MCF) comprising strongly-coupled cores for accurate strain sensing. Our MCF is designed to mode match a standard single mode optical fibre. This allows us to fabricate simple MCF interferometers whose interrogation is carried out with light sources, detect...

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Detalhes bibliográficos
Autores: Villatoro Bernardo, Agustín Joel, Arrizabalaga Uriarte, Oskar, Durana Apaolaza, Gaizka, Antonio López, José Enrique, Zubia Zaballa, Joseba Andoni, Schülzgen, Axel, Amezcua Correa, Rodrigo
Formato: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2017
País:España
Recursos:Universidad del País Vasco
Repositorio:Addi. Archivo Digital para la Docencia y la Investigación
OAI Identifier:oai:addi.ehu.eus:10810/27529
Acesso em linha:http://hdl.handle.net/10810/27529
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palavra-chave:photonic crystal fiber
bragg grating sensors
interferometer
technology
Descrição
Resumo:We report on the use of a multi-core fibre (MCF) comprising strongly-coupled cores for accurate strain sensing. Our MCF is designed to mode match a standard single mode optical fibre. This allows us to fabricate simple MCF interferometers whose interrogation is carried out with light sources, detectors and fibre components readily available from the optical communications tool box. Our MCF interferometers were used for sensing strain. The sensor calibration was carried out in a high-fidelity aerospace test laboratory. In addition, a packaged MCF interferometer was transferred into field trials to validate its performance under deployment conditions, specifically the sensors were installed in a historical iron bridge. Our results suggest that the MCF strain sensors here proposed are likely to reach the readiness level to compete with other mature sensor technologies, hence to find commercial application. An important advantage of our MCF interferometers is their capability to operate at very high temperatures.