基于光纤锥和纤芯失配的Mach-Zehnder干涉湿度传感器

介绍了一种简单且灵敏度较高的Mach-Zehnder干涉湿度传感器.将单模光纤和多模光纤渐变熔接光纤锥,色散补偿光纤被熔接在两个多模渐变光纤之间,形成了单模光纤-光纤锥-多模渐变光纤-色散补偿光纤-多模渐变光纤-光纤锥-单模光纤结构的传感器.光纤锥起到了增加包层模能量的作用,两个多模渐变光纤节点作为光耦合器,从而形成光纤Mach-Zehnder干涉仪.外界环境湿度的变化,将使得传感器透射谱能量发生变化,通过测量干涉谱波峰峰值能量实现对湿度的测量.实验结果表明干涉谱波峰峰值能量与环境湿度之间存在良好的线性关系.当环境湿度在35%RH—85%RH范围内变化,一段由20 mm色散补偿光纤组成的传感器,其灵敏度为-0.0668 dB/%RH,相关度为0.995.该传感器结构紧凑、尺寸小、制造工艺简单,这使其可以被广泛用于湿度测量.     

Axial strain and temperature sensing characteristics of the single–coreless–single mode fiber structure-based fiber ring laser

This paper experimentally demonstrated a singlemode–coreless–singlemode (SCS) fiber structure-based fiber ring cavity laser for strain and temperature measurement. The basis of the sensing system is the multimodal interference occurs in coreless fiber, and the transmission spectrum is sensitive to the ambient perturbation. In this sensing system, the SCS fiber structure not only acts as the sensing head of the sensor but also the band-pass filter of the ring laser. Blue shift with strain sensitivity of \(\sim\) ?2 pm/με ranging from 0 to 730 με and red shift with temperature sensitivity of \(\sim\) 11 pm/°C ranging from 5 to 75 °C have been achieved. Experimental results also show the proposal has great potential in using long-distance operation. The fiber ring laser sensing system has a optical signal to noise ratio (OSNR) more than 50 and 3 dB bandwidth less than 0.05 nm. The result shows that the coreless fiber has no improvement of the temperature and axial strain sensitivity. However, compared to the common singlemode–multimode–singlemode fiber structure sensors, the laser sensing system has the additional advantages of high OSNR, high intensity and narrow 3 dB bandwidth, and thus improves the accuracy.     

Curvature sensor based on a pressure-induced birefringence single mode fiber loop mirror

An optical fiber curvature sensor based on a pressure-induced birefringence singlemode fiber loop mirror is presented. The birefringer SMF is made by applying a transverse force against a short length of singlemode fiber. The length of the sensing element for the curvature sensing is about 150 mm. The sensitivity of the curvature measurement experimentally is 0.0263 m⁻¹/pm. And the temperature effect of the proposed sensor is also analyzed. Comparing with the sensor of photonic crystal fiber, it is more convenient and simply.     

Compact optical fiber curvature sensor based on concatenating two tapers

A low-loss, compact, and highly sensitive optical fiber curvature sensor is presented. The device consists of two identical low-loss fused fiber tapers in tandem separated by a distance L. When the optical fiber is kept straight and fixed, no interference pattern appears in the transmitted spectrum. However, when the device is bent, the symmetry of the straight taper is lost and the first taper couples light into the cladding modes. In the second taper, a fraction of the total light guided by the cladding modes will be coupled back to the fundamental mode, producing an interference pattern in the transmitted spectrum. As the fiber device is bent, visibility of the interference fringes grows, reaching values close to 1. The dynamic range of the device can be tailored by the proper selection of taper diameter and separation between tapers. The effects of temperature and refractive index of the external medium on the response of the curvature sensor is also discussed.     

Temperature-independent bending sensor with tilted fiber Bragg grating interacting with multimode fiber

A new type fiber bending sensor based on a tilted fiber Bragg grating (TFBG) interacting with a multimode fiber (MMF) is presented. The sensing head is formed by insertion of a small section of MMF between a single-mode fiber (SMF) and the TFBG. The average reflective power in the cladding modes decreases with the increase of curvature. The measurement range of the curvature from 0 to 2.5 m⁻¹ with a measurement sensitivity of −802.4 nW/m⁻¹ is achieved. The proposed sensor is also proved as temperature-independent from the experimental investigation.     

Efficiency improvement of multimode Tm3+ doped double cladding silica fiber laser by in-line biconical tapers

Efficiencies improvement of LD (laser diode) pumped multimode large mode area (LMA) Tm³⁺ doped double cladding silica fiber lasers with different in-line biconial tapers were reported. Two types of multimode Tm³⁺ doped fiber were used in this experiment. Each type of fiber was made into three fiber lasers, a uniform geometry fiber laser and two tapered fiber lasers with different taper parameters. Biconical tapers located several centimeters from the output end of the multimode fiber lasers were made by heating and stretching method. Although the threshold of the best tapered fiber laser was added 200 mW, the slope efficiency (25.3%) and the maximum output power (1.31 W) of the fiber laser increased by 10.3% and 350 mW respectively, in comparison with the un-tapered one. Pre and post output laser power ratio was 6.3–15.6. Simultaneously, the laser spectrum moved to shorter wavelengths. The same trends of these characteristics were also observed in the other three tapered fiber lasers.     

Multimode fiber devices with single-mode performance

A taper transition can couple light between a multimode fiber and several single-mode fibers. If the number of single-mode fibers matches the number of spatial modes in the multimode fiber, the transition can have low loss in both directions. This enables the high performance of single-mode fiber devices to be attained in multimode fibers. We report an experimental proof of concept by using photonic crystal fiber techniques to make the transitions, demonstrating a multimode fiber filter with the transmission spectrum of a single-mode fiber grating.     

光纤布拉格光栅嵌入SMS光纤结构的湿度传感器

提出了一种基于光纤布拉格光栅嵌入单模-多模纤芯-单模(single-mode-multimode fiber core-single mode, SMS)光纤结构的湿度传感器。当环境湿度变化时,SMS光纤结构的干涉光谱会发生漂移,而光纤布拉格光栅对湿度不敏感,其纤芯基模保持不变。因此利用SMS光纤结构对环境湿度的敏感性去调制光纤布拉格光栅纤芯基模,通过检测光纤布拉格光栅纤芯基模的反射能量变化就可以实现湿度测量。数值模拟了SMS光纤结构的内部光场分布规律,理论计算了不同环境折射率时,多模纤芯的长度、直径对SMS光纤结构输出能量耦合系数的影响。理论模拟表明,随着环境折射率变化,SMS光纤结构中传输的纤芯基模的输出能量耦合系数会发生变化。同时制作了传感器样品并对其进行了传感实验研究,实验结果表明多模纤芯长35 mm、纤芯直径为85 μm的传感器在45%～95%RH湿度变化范围内,湿度灵敏度为0.06 dBm·(%RH)-1。在20～80 ℃温度范围内,传感器的温度灵敏度为0.008 nm·℃-1,温度所带来的湿度测量误差为0.047%RH·℃-1。传感器具有制作简单、灵敏度高、反射式能量检测等优点,在湿度测量领域有一定的应用价值。     

Bending effect on light propagation in an optical fiber: Application to a temperature sensor

Curvature of a multimode optical fiber reduces the number of modes propagating through the fiber and thus the light power at the fiber output. In this paper we study this phenomenon and use it to make a new intrinsic temperature sensor, which operates by a local refractive index variation of the constituent material as a function of both temperature and curvature. The sensing effect comes from an organized competition between a predetermined strain obtained by bending the fiber with a known bending radius and a temperature-indiced strain that will modulate the waveguide. This sensor measures to an accuracy of 0°1C.     

光纤法布里-珀罗复合结构折射率传感器的灵敏度分析

理论上推导了光纤法布里-珀罗复合结构传感器的反射光谱条纹对比度与外界介质折射率的关系,并分析了实验参数对传感器灵敏度的影响.利用化学腐蚀渐变折射率多模光纤制作了光纤法布里-珀罗复合结构折射率传感器,空气中的条纹对比度可达30 dB以上,折射率测量的灵敏度达45 dB/RIU(refraction index unit,简RIU)以上.实验结果与理论符合很好.通过理论和实验分析,提出了进一步提高传感器灵敏度的方法. 关键词： 光纤传感器 法布里-珀罗复合结构 折射率测量 灵敏度     

折射率不敏感的级联型单模-少模-单模光纤温度传感器

提出了一种折射率不敏感的级联型单模-少模-单模光纤温度传感器。在制作传感器的过程中,设置熔接电流为100 mA,通过将少模光纤与单模光纤进行无错位熔接,以激发稳定的传输模式,形成光纤马赫-曾德尔干涉仪。由于外界环境的改变会引起少模光纤中不同模式之间相位差的改变,从而导致干涉条纹的漂移,因此通过检测干涉条纹的漂移量就可以实现待测参数的检测。少模光纤可以传输LP₀₁,LP₁₁,LP₂₁,LP₀₂共四种模式的光。实验中对长度为81.5 mm的传感器光谱进行分析可知,发生干涉的两个模式主要是LP₀₁模和LP₁₁模。利用该长度的级联型单模-少模-单模光纤传感器进行折射率和温度传感实验,结果表明,随着传感器温度不断的增加,其传输光谱出现了明显的蓝移现象,在27.6~93.8 ℃的温度变化范围内,灵敏度高达-85.9 pm·℃-1,且具有较好的线性度;在甘油折射率为1.347 1~1.443 9变化范围内,其传输光谱没有出现明显的漂移现象,灵敏度仅为3.697 34 nm·RIU-1,具有折射率不敏感特性。因此,相对于传统的包层模干涉型与多模干涉型光纤传感器,所提出的基于FMF的传感器更易于实现对传输模式的控制与分析,且具有结构简单、易于制备、灵敏度高等优点,能够避免温度与折射率同测的交叉敏感问题,可用于电力系统、生物医学、航空航天等领域的温度检测。     

The measurement of sucrose concentration by two-tapered all-fiber Mach–Zehnder interferometer employing different coupling structures and manufacture processes

The sucrose concentration measurement and characteristics of light coupling taper structure on sensitivity with various fabrication processes of taper structure for all-fiber Mach–Zehnder interferometer (AFMZI) are presented. Using fusion splicer with electrical discharge, the standard single-mode fiber is employed to be fabricated as conical coupling/decoupling taper structure. The basic two fabrication processes are designed as single fusion-stretching (SFS), multiple fusions without stretching (MF). The third advanced process is composed of SFS and multiple fusions without stretching processes, and called multiple fusions with single stretching (MFSS). Various types of coupling/decoupling taper structures were fabricated based on the three kinds of fabrication processes. The effects of geometry shape including taper waist, taper angle, and sensing length on sensing sensitivity of AFMZIs are estimated. The modifications of fiber core and cladding induced by thermal effect affect the refractive index distributions and shapes of taper structure. The effects of refractive index changes of fiber core and cladding on sensing sensitivity are also discussed. The AFMZI was tested by measuring aqueous sucrose solution of refractive index unit (RIU) from 1.333 to 1.420 RIU. The optical spectrums are measured by a spectrometer. The spectrum dip shifts and sensing sensitivity was measured and calculated, respectively. As shown in results, sensing sensitivities of AFMZIs of taper structure fabricated by MFSS and multiple fusions without stretching processing are generally higher than SFS. The reasons could be aimed on materials modification through thermal effect on blurring fiber core-cladding interface and proper taper angle of taper structure. The more homogeneous refractive index distribution on fiber core-cladding interface, the more detecting light power decoupled through core-cladding interface to interact with exterior environment and enhance the sensing sensitivity. Similarly, an appropriate taper angle also provides a better coupling/decoupling performance. The optimal sensitivities relative to low refractive index, high refractive index, and full refractive index range are 87.62, 133.55, and 104.20 nm/RIU, respectively, and the corresponding sensing length are 30, 50, and 30 mm, respectively, with taper angle of 25° and taper waist of 40 μm.     

基于Michelson干涉仪的高灵敏度光纤高温探针传感器

提出了一种简单的高灵敏度的光纤高温探针传感器, 该传感器由一小段多模光纤和一端镀有银膜的单模光纤熔接而成. 由于单模光纤和多模光纤的纤芯直径不同, 当光波从多模光纤传输至多模光纤和单模光纤的熔接端面时, 一部分纤芯光耦合进包层, 因为单模光纤纤芯的折射率和包层的折射率不同, 不同模式的光经过银膜反射后在多模光纤内重新耦合进单模光纤, 最终形成干涉.随着外界温度的升高, 干涉谱峰值会向长波方向漂移. 实验结果证明这种传感器在470 ℃–600 ℃范围内具有很好的稳定性, 线性度达99.7%, 灵敏度为120 pm/℃, 可作为远距离反射型探针温度传感器, 在石油探测和油气田开发等领域有着广泛的应用前景. 关键词： 光纤传感 温度测量 Michelson干涉     

波长和强度同时响应的锥形多模光纤温度传感器

通过将一段长为17 mm的多模光纤两端分别与单模光纤对芯熔接,然后对多模光纤部分进行拉锥处理,得到一种波长和强度同时对温度响应的锥形多模光纤温度传感器。实验研究了30 ℃~80 ℃范围内传感器的温度传感特性。实验结果表明:当环境温度发生变化时,该传感器在1 542 nm附近干涉波谷的波长和强度对温度的响应灵敏度分别可达到0. 041 nm/℃和0. 106 dB/℃,并且传感器干涉条纹的波长响应和强度响应之间呈良好的线性关系。基于传感器波长响应与强度响应之间的该线性关系,通过传感信号强度的检测即可实现干涉型光纤传感器的相位解调,该方法为传感解调信号提供了新思路,具有重要的参考价值。     

高灵敏度光纤应变传感器

提出一种基于锥形光纤和光纤F-P腔组合结构的光纤应变传感器。该传感器包含单模光纤拉锥形成的锥区和石英毛细管构建的F-P腔2个应变敏感区域。理论分析了光波在该传感器中的传播过程,获得了该传感器的光强传输函数。由于锥形光纤中激发出的包层高阶模参与干涉,导致传感器干涉光谱具有调制特性。实验获得了该传感器的干涉光谱,通过分析谐振波长偏移或消光比变化对应变实现独立测量,在0~500 με的测量范围内,该传感器的应变灵敏度为14.6 pm/με。利用锥形光纤引发的模式干涉和F-P腔的双光束干涉效应共同作用形成受调制的干涉谱型进行应变传感,应变灵敏度高,同时具备2种独立的应变检测手段(谐振波长和消光比检测)。     

基于SM-NCF反射光谱辨识的液体折射率监测方法

针对分子生物学与环境监测领域高灵敏度特异性检测需求,提出一种基于反射光谱特征辨识的单端反射式光纤折射率传感器模型,并给出了这种基于多模干涉原理的单模光纤-无芯光纤(Single mode fiber-No core fiber, SM-NCF)串接结构传感机理及其理论模型。无芯光纤实质上是一种结构特殊的多模光纤,在实际应用中无芯光纤结构本身作为纤芯,外界环境介质当作包层,构成光波导结构。这与普通多模光纤相比,不需要采用氢氟酸对多模光纤的包层进行化学腐蚀,不会降低光纤的机械性能,也不会破坏芯模传输条件,可以更好的实现对周围环境折射率的传感监测。当无芯光纤所处外界环境折射率发生改变时,其波导结构和包层有效折射率均会发生改变,从而引起传输光信号的纵向传播常数和模场分布也会随之发生改变,最终导致不同波长对应传输光功率的变化。上述效应反映在反射光谱上,即干涉波谷对应的谐振波长、波谷峰值强度以及半波宽度发生相应变化,通过辨识该反射光谱特征就可实现对外界环境折射率的测量。借助光束传播法(BPM),数值模拟得到无芯光纤长度分别为自映像距离和非自映像距离时的SM-NCF内部光场能量分布规律,并制作了无芯光纤长度分别为自映像距离和非自映像距离的SM-NCF光纤折射率传感探头,将作为传感区域的无芯光纤一端与标准单模光纤熔接,采用磁控溅射技术在无芯光纤另一端面镀上金膜,用以提升反射光谱强度。在此基础上,搭建了基于SM-NCF终端反射型的光纤折射率试验系统,并开展了相关实验研究。研究结果表明,当无芯光纤长度是15 mm(自映像距离)时,随着液体折射率从1.331 5依次增大至1.390 2,SM-NCF反射光谱逐渐向长波方向偏移,其反射峰谐振波长对应的折射率灵敏度约为197.57 nm·RIU-1,相关系数为0.93;反射峰值强度也呈现逐渐降低趋势,其折射率灵敏度约为-62.80 dB·RIU-1。当无芯光纤长度是20 mm(非自映像距离)时,随着液体折射率依次增大,SM-NCF反射光谱呈现明显双峰现象,且均逐渐向长波方向偏移,dip2谐振峰波长折射率灵敏度约为133 nm·RIU-1,相关系数为0.96;反射峰值强度也呈现逐渐降低趋势,其折射率灵敏度约为-31.66 dB·RIU-1。对比分析可知,不论是从反射峰谐振波长偏移的角度,还是从反射峰值强度的角度,自映像距离长度对应的 SM-NCF终端反射型光纤传感器均具有较高灵敏度。对于相同折射率液体环境,非自映像距离长度对应的SM-NCF反射光谱半波宽度与自映像距离长度相比,呈现显著变窄趋势。相对于SMS透射型传感结构,当传感区域长度相同时,SM-NCF反射型结构能够实现对光波信号的往返两次调节。这种终端反射型SM-NCF传感器改进了传统透射型折射率传感器不便与待测液体相接触的缺点,具有结构简单、易于制作、抗电磁干扰能力强以及便于远程遥测等优点,能够为后续生化与环保监测领域研究应用提供有益支持。     

Gas sensor response time analysis for tapered porous-clad fibers

The detection of gases with the use of ATR spectroscopy in a multimode step-index-tapered fiber with porous cladding has been described. Geometrical optics has been used to derive an expression for the time-dependent evanescent absorbance as the gas diffuses through the cladding. The ratio of the radii of core and cladding has been assumed to be constant throughout the length of the taper. It has been shown that the relative evanescent absorbance depends on the taper ratio. As the taper ratio increases, the response time of the sensor decreases.     

Twist sensor based on Sagnac single-mode optic fiber interferometer

An optical fiber twist sensor based on Sagnac single-mode optic fiber interferometer is proposed. The stress-induced birefringence of single-mode optical fiber is obtained by applying a transverse force against a short length of singlemode fiber. A high sensitivity and resolution of the twist angle measurement of 0.19 nm/° and 0.002° is achieved experimentally, respectively. The proposed sensor is more convenient and simple than that of standard polarization-maintaining fibers.     

Surface plasmon resonance based tapered fiber optic sensor with different taper profiles

A theoretical model for surface plasmon resonance (SPR) based tapered fiber optic sensor is proposed with three different taper profiles, namely, linear, parabolic, and exponential-linear. The effect of taper ratio and taper profiles on the sensor’s performance is studied in detail and the design considerations for significantly enhanced sensitivity are reported. The study shows that the exponential-linear taper profile with high taper ratio provides the best performance. The physical reasons behind sensitivity enhancement due to taper ratio and taper profile are given, wherever required.     

Magneto-optical fiber sensor based on magnetic fluid

A novel magnetic field fiber sensor based on magnetic fluid is proposed. The sensor is configured as a Sagnac interferometer structure with a magnetic fluid film and a section of polarization maintaining fiber inserted into the fiber loop to produce a sinusoidal interference spectrum for measurement. The output interference spectrum is shifted as the change of the applied magnetic field strength with a sensitivity of 16.7 pm/Oe and a resolution of 0.60 Oe. The output optical power is varied with the change of the applied magnetic field strength with a sensitivity of 0.3998 dB/Oe.