This paper reports on a distributed fiber sensing scheme to achieve sub-metric spatial resolution and long sensing ranges based on a differential pulse-width pair (DPP) Brillouin sensor. The scheme uses a scanning method in which the spectral separation between the two probe sidebands is kept constant, while the optical frequency of the pump is swept to scan the Brillouin spectral response. Experimental results show that the method avoids detrimental temporal distortions of the pulses, which in a standard implementation prevent the DPP method to operate over long distances. Here we demonstrate that this novel scanning method enables distributed sensing over 37.5 km with a spatial resolution of 20 cm and a frequency uncertainty of 1.9 MHz, obtained with 2k averages in a measurement time of a few minutes.
We evaluate the Brillouin frequency shift (BFS) determination error when using the Brillouin phase spectrum (BPS) instead of the Brillouin gain spectrum (BGS) in BOTDA setups. We compare the error obtained in the BFS determination in both cases, both with theoretical arguments and experimental data. In comparison to the gain, for an equal SNR and linewidth, the phase generally provides a better fit of the BFS for smaller frequency spans. This result opens a possible way to reduce the measurement time of certain BOTDA systems by using the phase feature.
It is presented an optical fiber sensing system projected to operate in the demanding conditions associated with coal waste piles in combustion. Distributed temperature measurement and spot gas sensing are requirements for such a system. A field prototype has been installed and is continuously gathering data, which will input a geological model of the coal waste piles in combustion aiming to understand their dynamics and evolution. Results are presented on distributed temperature and ammonia measurement, being noticed any significant methane emission in the short time period considered. Carbon dioxide is also a targeted gas for measurement, with validated results available soon. The assessment of this technology as an effective and reliable tool to address the problem of monitoring coal waste piles in combustion opens the possibility of its widespread application in view of the worldwide presence of coal related fires.
Up to now, complex (phase and intensity) measurements in Brillouin Optical Time-Domain Analysis (BOTDA) systems required complex phase modulation methods and high-bandwidth (multi-GHz) detection. In this work, we propose a novel technique that is able to retrieve simultaneously both gain/loss and phase characteristics of the Brillouin interaction by just introducing a Sagnac Interferometer (SI) on a standard BOTDA sensing scheme. The technique is described analytically and demonstrated experimentally. With this technique, a reliability increase is produced since redundant measurements can be performed.
Until now, non-local effects in dual-probe-sideband Brillouin Optical Time Domain Analysis (BOTDA) systems have been considered negligible if the probe power is below the Stimulated Brillouin Scattering (SBS) threshold. In this paper, we show the appearance of non-local effects even below the SBS threshold. The pump pulse experiences a frequency dependent spectral deformation that affects the readout process differently in the gain and loss configurations. The main conclusion of our study is that the measurements in gain configuration are more robust to this non-local effect than the loss configuration. These results are of particular interest for manufacturers of long-range BOTDA systems.
Non-local effects have been traditionally identified as one of the most limiting factors of the performance of Brillouin
optical time-domain analyzers. These phenomena, directly linked with the energy gained/lost by the pump pulse, limit
the probe power and ultimately the SNR of the system. Several solutions have been proposed, although none offers the
possibility to increase the probe power until its limit, the onset of amplified spontaneous Brillouin scattering. In this
work, we propose a technique that avoids non-local effects and permits to set the probe power at its maximum, reaching
a 100 km sensing distance with 2 meter resolution.
KEYWORDS: Signal to noise ratio, Raman spectroscopy, Sensing systems, Signal attenuation, Neodymium, Analytical research, Sensors, Optical amplifiers, Signal detection, Scattering
Brillouin Optical Time Domain Analysis (BOTDA) is becoming a consolidated technique in applications requiring high-resolution
monitoring over extremely long distances. Extension of the measuring range has therefore become one of the
main areas of research around BOTDA technology. To increase the sensing range, it is necessary to increase the Signal
to Noise Ratio (SNR) of the retrieved signal. This has been achieved so far by applying techniques like pre-amplification
before detection, pulse coding or Raman amplification. Here, we analyze these techniques in terms of their performance
limits and provide guidelines that determine which is the best configuration to overcome current range limitations.
In this work we demonstrate an extremely simple BOTDA scheme capable of delivering distributed Brillouin Phase Shift measurements along an optical fiber. It is based on exploiting the non-reciprocity of the Stimulated Brillouin Scattering effect. This non-reciprocity is easily characterized by means of a suitably tuned Sagnac Interferometer. The technique is advantageous as, in comparison with previous methods, no complex modulation, no sharp filtering and no highbandwidth detection is needed. Theoretical and experimental proofs of the concept are given.
The combustion of coal wastes resulting from mining is of particular environmental concern and therefore the importance of the proper management involving real-time assessment of their status and identification of probable evolution scenarios is recognized. Continuous monitoring of combustion temperature and emission levels of certain gases opens the possibility to plan corrective actions to minimize their negative impact in the surroundings. Optical fiber technology is well-suited to this purpose and in this work it is described the main attributes of a fiber optic sensing system projected to gather data on distributed temperature and gas emission in these harsh environments.
Given the strong polarization sensitivity of Stimulated Brillouin Scattering (SBS), in Brillouin Optical Time Domain Analysis (BOTDA) it turns out to be indispensable to perform some kind of polarization scrambling, either in the pump pulse, or the probe signal (or both). This is usually accomplished using polarization scrambling/switching systems, which, being mechanical, tend to be not as robust as it would be desirable. In this paper we propose a completely passive system, with no moving parts, to perform the polarization scrambling in a BOTDA. It is based on the use of balanced detection among the orthogonally polarized Stokes and anti-Stokes bands of the probe signal. The setup requires no alignment and provides a performance similar to a conventional BOTDA sensor.
KEYWORDS: Signal to noise ratio, Raman spectroscopy, Sensors, Signal detection, Signal attenuation, Interference (communication), Polarization, Optical amplifiers, Single mode fibers, Scattering
We propose the use of balanced detection in Brillouin Optical Time Domain Analysis (BOTDA) sensors. Balanced detection can be effectively accomplished among the Stokes and anti-Stokes bands in the probe signal. This type of detection leads to a doubling of the trace amplitude and at least a √2 increase in signal to noise ratio over the conventional configuration. Moreover, it leads to a complete cancellation of the common-mode noise in the probe signal, including relative intensity noise in Raman-assisted configurations. We show all these benefits both theoretically and experimentally.
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