Application of Brillouin scattering in optic-fiber sensors

Abstract

Abstract The article analyses possible applications for Brillouin scattering in optic-fiber sensors. They make it possible to do temperature and physical strain measurements with high accuracy for long line sections. The functional dependences of the output signals characteristics on parameters measured by the sensors are studied. Of particular interest are the results of the analysis of the spectral component shifts in the Brillouin light scattering depending on the fiber elongation and temperature. After a brief review of the basic theoretical principles the results of some researches aimed to expand the dynamic range and to increase spatial resolution. The results of simulation in professional design software environment OptiSystem 17.1. are described. The results are obtained by experimental research based on Brillouin reflectometer AQ8603 manufactured by “ANDO” (Japan). They show that it is possible to implement optic-fiber sensors based on Brillouin scattering in telecommunication systems, oil and gas industry, in electric-power industry, construction, aviation and space industry. The objectives for further research are to perform metrological analysis at all stages of the method implementation, to complete the base of Brillouin spectrograms for optical fiber of various types and to improve algorithms for automated processing spectra in order to expand functionality of the systems.