Multiplexed dynamic strain sensing system based on a fiber ring laser using a non-tunable fiber Fabry-Perot filter.

In this paper, a non-tunable fiber Fabry-Perot filter (FFPF) is configured to demodulate dynamic strain signals in a multiplexed dynamic sensing system based on a fiber ring laser. A semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) contained in the fiber ring laser cavity enables this system to implement multiplex operation because of the inhomogeneous broadening of the SOA source. The shift of the reflective spectrum of the fiber Bragg grating caused by external dynamic strain is demodulated by the FFPF in the laser cavity, which ultimately generates an amplified output. In the experiment, the sensing system can respond to dynamic strains at ultra-high frequencies up to megahertz, and an example for detection of ultrasonic signals in water has been successfully demonstrated. A dual-channel system for multiplexing demodulation is also discussed. This system presented here has a simple structure and a low cost, which makes it attractive for dynamic strain detection in structural health monitoring.

Detection of dynamic signals from multiplexed SOA-based fiber-ring laser sensors.

A simple matched filter demodulation configuration for detecting dynamic signals from multiplexed semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA)-based fiber-ring laser sensors is investigated theoretically and experimentally. It is feasible for multiple points fiber Bragg grating sensing because the inhomogeneous broadening of the SOA source makes it possible to produce multimode lasing without mode competition. The best operating points for matched filter demodulation and the wavelength demodulation range are investigated. In the experiment, the simultaneous dual-channel detection of dynamic strains at high frequencies is presented by using piezoelectric transducers. An example application for simultaneous two-channel ultrasonic detection has been successfully demonstrated. The detection system design is simple, low cost, and high precision, making it attractive for applications in structure health monitoring.

An in-line Mach-Zehnder Interferometer Using Thin-core Fiber for Ammonia Gas Sensing With High Sensitivity.

Ammonia is an important indicator among environmental monitoring parameters. In this work, thin-core fiber Mach-Zehnder interferometer deposited with poly (acrylic acid) (PAA), poly (allyamine hydrochloride) (PAH) and single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs-COOH) sensing film for the detection of ammonia gas has been presented. The thin-core fiber modal interferometer was made by fusion splicing a small section of thin-core fiber (TCF) between two standard single mode fibers (SMF). A beam propagation method (BPM) is employed for the design of proposed interferometer and numerical simulation. Based on the simulation results, interferometer with a length of 2 cm of thin-core fiber is fabricated and experimentally studied. (PAH/PAA)2 + [PAH/(PAA + SWCNTs-COOH)]8 film is deposited on the outer surface of thin-core fiber via layer-by-layer (LbL) self-assembly technique. The gas sensor coated with (PAH/PAA)2 + [PAH/(PAA + SWCNTs-COOH)]8 film towards NH3 gas exposure at concentrations range from 1 to 960 ppm are analyzed and the sensing capability is demonstrated by optical spectrum analyzer (OSA). Experimental results show that the characteristic wavelength shift has an approximately linear relationship in the range 1-20 ppm, which is in accordance with the numerical simulation. Thus, this paper reveals the potential application of this sensor in monitoring low concentration NH3 gas.

Fiber Bragg grating dynamic strain sensor using an adaptive reflective semiconductor optical amplifier source.

In this paper, a reflective semiconductor optical amplifier (RSOA) is configured to demodulate dynamic spectral shifts of a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) dynamic strain sensor. The FBG sensor and the RSOA source form an adaptive fiber cavity laser. As the reflective spectrum of the FBG sensor changes due to dynamic strains, the wavelength of the laser output shifts accordingly, which is subsequently converted into a corresponding phase shift and demodulated by an unbalanced Michelson interferometer. Due to the short transition time of the RSOA, the RSOA-FBG cavity can respond to dynamic strains at high frequencies extending to megahertz. A demodulator using a PID controller is used to compensate for low-frequency drifts induced by temperature and large quasi-static strains. As the sensitivity of the demodulator is a function of the optical path difference and the FBG spectral width, optimal parameters to obtain high sensitivity are presented. Multiplexing to demodulate multiple FBG sensors is also discussed.

Photonic crystal fiber in-line Mach-Zehnder interferometer for explosive detection.

We report a photonic crystal fiber (PCF) in-line Mach-Zehnder interferometer used as a gas sensor device which exhibits high sensitivity to the explosive trinitrotoluene (TNT). The interferometric sensor head is formed by embedding a segment of large-mode-area/grapefruit PCF between standard single-mode fibers via butt coupling, which produces two small air gaps in between terminated fiber ends with ceramic ferrule connectors as coupling regions, which also serve as inlet/outlet for the gas. The spectral response of the interferometer is investigated in terms of its wavelength spectrum. The selectivity to TNT vapor is achieved by immobilizing a molecular recognition ployallylamine layer on the inner surface of the holey region of the PCF. The TNT-induced variations of the interference fringes are measured and the sensing capability of the proposed sensor is demonstrated experimentally.

Long-period fiber grating sensor with a styrene-acrylonitrile nano-film incorporating cryptophane A for methane detection.

This paper presents a novel sensor design and application of long period fiber grating (LPFG) for detection of methane. A styrene-acrylonitrile nano-film incorporating cryptophane A, which is sensitive to methane in close vicinity to the surface, is constructed onto the cladding of long-period grating. For optimal design of the LPFG sensor, the relationship between the resonant wavelength shift and the complex refractive index of sensing film is analyzed based on the coupled-mode theory. The change in refractive index of the sensing film, induced by methane, can easily be obtained as a shift in resonance wavelength. The prepared LPFG sensor with time response of 50 s and good sensitivity (~0.375 nm %(-1)) suitable for the detection of methane below 3.5 vol. % is demonstrated. The response of the sensor (wavelength shift) is linear with methane concentration within our tested range and a detection limit of about 0.2% is estimated for the new sensor.

Efficient encapsulation of chloroform with cryptophane-M and the formation of exciplex studied by fluorescence spectroscopy.

Efficient encapsulation of small molecules with supermolecules is one of significantly important subjects due to strong application potentials. This article presents the interaction between cryptophane-M and chloroform by fluorescence spectroscopy. The sonicated cryptophane-M solution exhibits light green color in chloroform, and the solid obtained from the evaporation of chloroform also has different color from that of cryptophane-M. In contrast, the sonicated cryptophane-M solutions in other solvents are colorless, and the solid obtained from the evaporation of these solvents has the same color as that of cryptophane-M. Furthermore, the freshly prepared cryptophane-M solution in different solvents is almost colorless, and the solid obtained from the evaporation of these solvents displays the same color as that of cryptophane-M. Although the sonicated cryptophane-M solutions in different solvents have very similar absorption spectra, they exhibit quite different emission spectra in chloroform. In contrast, the freshly-prepared cryptophane-M solutions show similar absorption and emission spectroscopy in various solvents. The variation of the fluorescence spectroscopy in binary solvents with the increasing chloroform ratio suggests that cryptophane-M and chloroform form a 1:1 exciplex, and the binding constant is estimated to be 292.95 M(-1). Although all solvents are able to enter into the cavity of cryptophane-M, only chloroform can stay in the cavity of cryptophane-M for a while, which is mostly due to the strong intermolecular interaction between cryptophane-M and chloroform, and this results in the formation of the exciplex between them.