scholarly journals Long-Range Distributed Solar Irradiance Sensing Using Optical Fibers

Sensors ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 908 ◽  
Author(s):  
Regina Magalhães ◽  
Luis Costa ◽  
Sonia Martin-Lopez ◽  
Miguel Gonzalez-Herraez ◽  
Alejandro F. Braña ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Energy ◽  
Optical Fiber ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Long Range ◽  
Optical Fibers ◽  
Solar Irradiance ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Solar Simulator ◽  
Distributed Sensor

Until recently, the amount of solar irradiance reaching the Earth surface was considered to be a steady value over the years. However, there is increasing observational evidence showing that this quantity undergoes substantial variations over time, which need to be addressed in different scenarios ranging from climate change to solar energy applications. With the growing interest in developing solar energy technology with enhanced efficiency and optimized management, the monitoring of solar irradiance at the ground level is now considered to be a fundamental input in the pursuit of that goal. Here, we propose the first fiber-based distributed sensor able of monitoring ground solar irradiance in real time, with meter scale spatial resolutions over distances of several tens of kilometers (up to 100 km). The technique is based on an optical fiber reflectometry technique (CP-ϕOTDR), which enables real time and long-range high-sensitivity bolometric measurements of solar radiance with a single optical fiber cable and a single interrogator unit. The method is explained and analyzed theoretically. A validation of the method is proposed using a solar simulator irradiating standard optical fibers, where we demonstrate the ability to detect and quantify solar irradiance with less than a 0.1 W/m2 resolution.

scholarly journals Damage detection in laminar thermoplastic composite materials by means of embedded optical fibers

2006 ◽  
Vol 60 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 176-179
Author(s):  
Aleksandar Kojovic ◽  
Irena Zivkovic ◽  
Ljiljana Brajovic ◽  
Dragan Mitrakovic ◽  
Radoslav Aleksic
Keyword(s):  
Composite Materials ◽  
Optical Fiber ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Optical Fibers ◽  
Impact Damage ◽  
Experimental Testing ◽  
Low Energy ◽  
Thermoplastic Composite ◽  
Woven Fabric ◽  
The Impact

This paper investigates the possibility of applying optical fibers as sensors for investigating low energy impact damage in laminar thermoplastic composite materials, in real time. Impact toughness testing by a Charpy impact pendulum with different loads was conducted in order to determine the method for comparative measurement of the resulting damage in the material. For that purpose intensity-based optical fibers were built in to specimens of composite materials with Kevlar 129 (the DuPont registered trade-mark for poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide)) woven fabric as reinforcement and thermoplastic PVB (poly(vinyl butyral)) as the matrix. In some specimens part of the layers of Kevlar was replaced with metal mesh (50% or 33% of the layers). Experimental testing was conducted in order to observe and analyze the response of the material under multiple low-energy impacts. Light from the light-emitting diode (LED) was launched to the embedded optical fiber and was propagated to the phototransistor-based photo detector. During each impact, the signal level, which is proportional to the light intensity in the optical fiber, drops and then slowly recovers. The obtained signals were analyzed to determine the appropriate method for real time damage monitoring. The major part of the damage occurs during impact. The damage reflects as a local, temporary release of strain in the optical fiber and an increase of the signal level. The obtained results show that intensity-based optical fibers could be used for measuring the damage in laminar thermoplastic composite materials. The acquired optical fiber signals depend on the type of material, but the same set of rules (relatively different, depending on the type of material) could be specified. Using real time measurement of the signal during impact and appropriate analysis enables quantitative evaluation of the impact damage in the material. Existing methods in most cases use just the intensity of the signal before and after the impact, as the measure of damage. This method could be used to monitor the damage in real time, giving warnings before fatal damage occurs.

scholarly journals Carbon Allotrope-Based Optical Fibers for Environmental and Biological Sensing: A Review

Sensors ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (7) ◽  
pp. 2046 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie Hui Kit Yap ◽  
Kok Ken Chan ◽  
Swee Chuan Tjin ◽  
Ken-Tye Yong
Keyword(s):  
Optical Fiber ◽  
Optical Fibers ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Optical Fiber Sensors ◽  
Functional Coating ◽  
Fiber Sensors ◽  
Carbon Allotrope ◽  
Carbon Allotropes ◽  
Sensing Technology ◽  
Wide Range

Recently, carbon allotropes have received tremendous research interest and paved a new avenue for optical fiber sensing technology. Carbon allotropes exhibit unique sensing properties such as large surface to volume ratios, biocompatibility, and they can serve as molecule enrichers. Meanwhile, optical fibers possess a high degree of surface modification versatility that enables the incorporation of carbon allotropes as the functional coating for a wide range of detection tasks. Moreover, the combination of carbon allotropes and optical fibers also yields high sensitivity and specificity to monitor target molecules in the vicinity of the nanocoating surface. In this review, the development of carbon allotropes-based optical fiber sensors is studied. The first section provides an overview of four different types of carbon allotropes, including carbon nanotubes, carbon dots, graphene, and nanodiamonds. The second section discusses the synthesis approaches used to prepare these carbon allotropes, followed by some deposition techniques to functionalize the surface of the optical fiber, and the associated sensing mechanisms. Numerous applications that have benefitted from carbon allotrope-based optical fiber sensors such as temperature, strain, volatile organic compounds and biosensing applications are reviewed and summarized. Finally, a concluding section highlighting the technological deficiencies, challenges, and suggestions to overcome them is presented.

scholarly journals A Brief Review of Specialty Optical Fibers for Brillouin-Scattering-Based Distributed Sensors

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 1996 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Dragic ◽  
John Ballato
Keyword(s):  
Optical Fiber ◽  
Silicate Glass ◽  
Optical Fibers ◽  
Brillouin Scattering ◽  
Distributed Sensors ◽  
Distributed Sensor ◽  
Fiber Design ◽  
New Thinking ◽  
Sensing Application ◽  
Brillouin Gain

Specialty optical fibers employed in Brillouin-based distributed sensors are briefly reviewed. The optical and acoustic waveguide properties of silicate glass optical fiber first are examined with the goal of constructing a designer Brillouin gain spectrum. Next, materials and their effects on the relevant Brillouin scattering properties are discussed. Finally, optical fiber configurations are reviewed, with attention paid to fibers for discriminative or other enhanced sensing configurations. The goal of this brief review is to reinforce the importance of fiber design to distributed sensor systems, generally, and to inspire new thinking in the use of fibers for this sensing application.

Study on Oil and Gas Pipeline Leakage Real-Time Inspection System Based on Distributed Optical Fiber

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hao Feng ◽  
Shijiu Jin ◽  
Yan Zhou ◽  
Zhoumo Zeng ◽  
Pengchao Chen
Keyword(s):  
Optical Fiber ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Optical Fibers ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Inspection System ◽  
System Construction ◽  
Fiber System ◽  
Distributed Optical Fiber ◽  
The Cost

A distributed optical fiber system used to detect pipeline leakage and lawless excavation is put forward in this paper. This system is based on Mach-Zehnder optical fiber interferometer theory, which uses three monomode fibers in one optical fiber cable to compose two Mach-Zehnder interferometers. Vibrations from leakage point and lawless excavation along the pipeline can be acquired by the optical fibers, so the vibrations occurred on the pipeline can be detected in real time. In this paper, the principle and the system construction are introduced, and the way of the fiber cable to influence the sensitivity is studied. And also, the polarization on the optical path is studied in this paper, and a new technology to eliminate “Polarization Debilitating” is put forward. With principle analysis and experimental results, it is demonstrated that the detection system’s measuring sensitivity and location accuracy for detecting leakage and lawless excavation are greatly improved when adopting this technology, and furthermore the cost is very low.

Study on Oil and Gas Pipeline Leakage Real-Time Inspection System Based on Distributed Optical Fiber

2008 ◽  
Vol 381-382 ◽  
pp. 447-450 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Zhou ◽  
Shi Jiu Jin ◽  
H. Feng ◽  
Z.M. Zeng ◽  
Z.G. Qu
Keyword(s):  
Optical Fiber ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Optical Fibers ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Single Mode ◽  
Vibration Sensor ◽  
Inspection System ◽  
System Construction ◽  
Detection Technology ◽  
Distributed Optical Fiber

A new distributed optical fiber pipeline leakage detection technology based on Mach-Zehnder optical fiber interferometer theory is put forward. When using this technology, an optical fiber cable is laid along the pipeline. Noise from leaking point on the pipeline can be acquired by the optical fiber vibration sensor which was composed of three single mode optical fibers, thus, leakage occurred on the pipeline can be detected in real time. The detection principle and system construction are explained and in-site testing data is analyzed. With principle analysis and experimental results, it is demonstrated that the detection system’s measuring sensitivity and location accuracy for detecting leakage are high when adopting this technology.

scholarly journals Liquid crystal cell with a tapered optical fiber as an active element to optical applications

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 13
Author(s):  
Joanna Ewa Moś ◽  
Karol Antoni Stasiewicz ◽  
Leszek Roman Jaroszewicz
Keyword(s):  
Liquid Crystal ◽  
Optical Fiber ◽  
Optical Fibers ◽  
Fiber Optic ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Single Mode ◽  
Fiber Optic Sensors ◽  
Liquid Crystal Cell ◽  
Crystal Cell ◽  
Tapered Optical Fiber

The work describes the technology of a liquid crystal cell with a tapered optical fiber as an element providing light. The tapered optical fiber with the total optical loss of 0.22 ± 0.07 dB, the taper waist diameter of 15.5 ± 0.5 μm, and the elongation of 20.4 ± 0.3 mm has been used. The experimental results are presented for a liquid crystal cell filled with a mixture 1550* for parallel orientation of LC molecules to the cross section of the taper waist. Measurement results show the influence of the electrical field with voltage in the range of 0-200 V, without, as well as with different modulation for spectral characteristics. The sinusoidal and square signal shapes are used with a 1-10 Hz frequency range. Full Text: PDF ReferencesZ. Liu, H. Y. Tam, L. Htein, M. L.Vincent Tse, C. Lu, "Microstructured Optical Fiber Sensors", J. Lightwave Technol. 35, 16 (2017). CrossRef T. R. Wolinski, K. Szaniawska, S. Ertman1, P. Lesiak, A. W. Domański, R. Dabrowski, E. Nowinowski-Kruszelnicki, J. Wojcik "Influence of temperature and electrical fields on propagation properties of photonic liquid-crystal fibres", Meas. Sci. Technol. 17, 5 (2006). CrossRef K. Nielsen, D. Noordegraaf, T. Sørensen, A. Bjarklev,T. Hansen, "Selective filling of photonic crystal fibres", J. Opt. A: Pure Appl. Opt. 7, 8 (2005). CrossRef A. A. Rifat, G. A. Mahdiraji, D. M. Chow, Y, Gang Shee, R. Ahmed, F. Rafiq, M Adikan, "Photonic Crystal Fiber-Based Surface Plasmon Resonance Sensor with Selective Analyte Channels and Graphene-Silver Deposited Core", Sensors 15, 5 (2015) CrossRef Y. Huang, Z.Tian, L.P. Sun, D. Sun, J.Li, Y.Ran, B.-O. Guan "High-sensitivity DNA biosensor based on optical fiber taper interferometer coated with conjugated polymer tentacle", Opt. Express 23, 21 (2015). CrossRef X. Wang, O. S. Wolfbeis, "The 2016 Annual Review Issue", Anal. Chem., 88, 1 (2016). CrossRef Ye Tian, W. Wang, N. Wu, X. Zou, X.Wang, "Tapered Optical Fiber Sensor for Label-Free Detection of Biomolecules", Sensors 11, 4 (2011). CrossRef O. Katsunari, Fundamentals of Optical Waveguides, (London, Academic Press, (2006). DirectLink A. K. Sharma, J. Rajan, B.D. Gupta, "Fiber-Optic Sensors Based on Surface Plasmon Resonance: A Comprehensive Review", IEEE Sensors Journal 7, 8 (2007). CrossRef C. Caucheteur, T. Guo, J. Albert, "Review of plasmonic fiber optic biochemical sensors: improving the limit of detection", Anal. Bioanal.Chem. 407, 14 (2015). CrossRef S. F. Silva L. Coelho, O. Frazão, J. L. Santos, F. X.r Malcata, "A Review of Palladium-Based Fiber-Optic Sensors for Molecular Hydrogen Detection", IEEE SENSORS JOURNAL 12, 1 (2012). CrossRef H. Waechter, J. Litman, A. H. Cheung, J. A. Barnes, H.P. Loock, "Chemical Sensing Using Fiber Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy", Sensors 10, 3 (2010). CrossRef S. Zhu, F. Pang, S. Huang, F.Zou, Y.Dong, T.Wang, "High sensitivity refractive index sensor based on adiabatic tapered optical fiber deposited with nanofilm by ALD", Opt. Express 23, 11 (2015). CrossRef L. Zhang, J. Lou, L. Tong, "Micro/nanofiber optical sensors", Photonics sensor 1, 1 (2011). CrossRef L.Tong, J. Lou, E. Mazur, "Single-mode guiding properties of subwavelength-diameter silica and silicon wire waveguides", Opt. Express 11, 6 (2004). CrossRef H. Moyyed, I. T. Leite, L. Coelho, J. L. Santos, D. Viegas, "Analysis of phase interrogated SPR fiber optic sensors with bimetallic layers", IEEE Sensors Journal 14, 10 (2014). CrossRef A. González-Cano, M. Cruz Navarette, Ó. Esteban, N. Diaz Herrera , "Plasmonic sensors based on doubly-deposited tapered optical fibers", Sensors 14, 3 (2014). CrossRef K. A. Stasiewicz, J.E. Moś, "Threshold temperature optical fibre sensors", Opt. Fiber Technol. 32, (2016). CrossRef L. Zhang, F. Gu, J. Lou, X. Yin, L. Tong, "Fast detection of humidity with a subwavelength-diameter fiber taper coated with gelatin film", Opt. Express 16, 17 (2008). CrossRef S.Zhu, F.Pang, S. Huang, F. Zou, Q. Guo, J. Wen, T. Wang, "High Sensitivity Refractometer Based on TiO2-Coated Adiabatic Tapered Optical Fiber via ALD Technology", Sensors 16, 8 (2016). CrossRef G.Brambilla, "Optical fibre nanowires and microwires: a review", J. Optics 12, 4 (2010) CrossRef M. Ahmad, L.L. Hench, "Effect of taper geometries and launch angle on evanescent wave penetration depth in optical fibers", Biosens. Bioelectron. 20, 7 (2005). CrossRef L.M. Blinov, Electrooptic Effects in Liquid Crystal Materials (New York, Springftianer, 1994). CrossRef L. Scolari, T.T. Alkeskjold, A. Bjarklev, "Tunable Gaussian filter based on tapered liquid crystal photonic bandgap fibre", Electron. Lett. 42, 22 (2006). CrossRef J. Moś, M. Florek, K. Garbat, K.A. Stasiewicz, N. Bennis, L.R. Jaroszewicz, "In-Line Tunable Nematic Liquid Crystal Fiber Optic Device", J. of Lightwave Technol. 36, 4 (2017). CrossRef J. Moś, K A Stasiewicz, K Garbat, P Morawiak, W Piecek, L R Jaroszewicz, "Tapered fiber liquid crystal hybrid broad band device", Phys. Scripta. 93, 12 (2018). CrossRef Ch. Veilleux, J. Lapierre, J. Bures, "Liquid-crystal-clad tapered fibers", Opt. Lett. 11, 11 (1986). CrossRef R. Dąbrowski, K. Garbat, S. Urban, T.R. Woliński, J. Dziaduszek, T. Ogrodnik, A,Siarkowska, "Low-birefringence liquid crystal mixtures for photonic liquid crystal fibres application", Liq. Cryst. 44, (2017). CrossRef S. Lacroix, R. J. Black, Ch. Veilleux, J. Lapierre, "Tapered single-mode fibers: external refractive-index dependence", Appl. Opt., 25, 15 (1986). CrossRef J.F. Henninot, D. Louvergneaux , N.Tabiryan, M. Warenghem, "Controlled Leakage of a Tapered Optical Fiber with Liquid Crystal Cladding", Mol. Cryst.and Liq.Cryst., 282, 1(1996). CrossRef

Backbone Optical Fiber Analysis at 1310 nm and 1550 nm

2018 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nandhakumar P ◽  
Arun Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Optical Fiber ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Optical Fibers ◽  
Single Mode ◽  
Optical Fiber Communication ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Fiber Communication ◽  
The Real ◽  
Optical Time Domain Reflectometer ◽  
Optic Communication

AbstractOptical fiber communication is the backbone of the entire telecommunication industries in the world. In this work, the real-time backbone long-distance optical fibers (single mode) are tested and analyzed with two different wavelengths (1,310 nm and 1,550 nm) with the help of optical time domain reflectometer. Using these two different wavelengths, how the losses and events of the backbone optical fibers are changing are compared and analyzed. This work will give a way to study the nature of long-distance backbone optical fiber and understand the real-time application of the fiber optic communication.

Incorporating Optical Fiber Sensors into Fabrics

2005 ◽  
Vol 870 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Dhawan ◽  
T. K. Ghosh ◽  
J. F. Muth
Keyword(s):  
Optical Fiber ◽  
Optical Fibers ◽  
Electromagnetic Interference ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Optical Fiber Sensors ◽  
Fiber Sensors ◽  
Nonwoven Fabrics ◽  
Micron Diameter ◽  
Environmental Robustness ◽  
Alternative Processes

Optical fiber sensors have many attractive attributes including high sensitivity, environmental robustness, immunity to electromagnetic interference, and the ability to be remotely interrogated. Furthermore, by incorporating optical fibers into woven and nonwoven fabrics these sensors can be distributed across large areas. In woven optical fibers, microscopic bending is an issue due to the fibers going over and under the yarns. Microscopic and macroscopic bending losses are quantified by placing optical fibers on frames of different radii of curvature and measuring the loss of transmitted light. As an example of the non-woven process, electrospinning was used to overlay a net of sub-micron diameter fibers over the optical fibers. This protects the optical fiber, holds it in place, while still permitting flexibility. To form chemical sensors, standard telecommunications grade optical fibers were tapered such that the evanescent wave extended into the environment. Coating the fibers with a thin layer of gold then permits surface plasmon sensors to be formed. However, the resulting sensors were very fragile and hard to place into fabrics. As a result alternative processes were developed that form fiber structures that are robust enough to withstand textile manufacturing processes yet still allow interaction with the environment.

scholarly journals A Review of Coating Materials Used to Improve the Performance of Optical Fiber Sensors

Sensors ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (15) ◽  
pp. 4215
Author(s):  
Changxu Li ◽  
Wenlong Yang ◽  
Min Wang ◽  
Xiaoyang Yu ◽  
Jianying Fan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Optical Fiber ◽  
Optical Fibers ◽  
Optical Materials ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Optical Fiber Sensors ◽  
Coating Materials ◽  
Fiber Sensors ◽  
Specific Recognition ◽  
Thermal Expansion Coefficients

In order to improve the performance of fiber sensors and fully tap the potential of optical fiber sensors, various optical materials have been selectively coated on optical fiber sensors under the background of the rapid development of various optical materials. On the basis of retaining the original characteristics of the optical fiber sensors, the coated sensors are endowed with new characteristics, such as high sensitivity, strong structure, and specific recognition. Many materials with a large thermal optical coefficient and thermal expansion coefficients are applied to optical fibers, and the temperature sensitivities are improved several times after coating. At the same time, fiber sensors have more intelligent sensing capabilities when coated with specific recognition materials. The same/different kinds of materials combined with the same/different fiber structures can produce different measurements, which is interesting. This paper summarizes and compares the fiber sensors treated by different coating materials.

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