optical fiber with a 4 dB/km loss

Fiber Optic Sensors and Their Applications

Abdul Wafi “Fazelli”
Kabul University, Afghanistan
16 November 2022
abdulwafifazelli@gmail.com
Instructor: Dr.Mohebullah Wali

Abstract them impractical for communications use can be come to

by adopting real-time
This report display an overview of fiber optic sensors and their applications. “high granularity”
beside advantages; approaches
recent advances, and cost
depending on sensors applied to individual PV panels.
reductions of fiber optic materials which has stimulated interest in fiber optical sensing. As offers the possibility of
sensing different parameters like strain, temperature, pressure in harsh environment and remote locations. These kinds of
sensors modulate some features of the light wave in a fiber optic with different techniques such as an intensity, phase and
wavelength modulations and use of fiber optic as a medium for transmitting of information.

1. Introduction
A great interest in optical systems for data
communications started with the invention of the laser in
1960’s, the invention of laser, caused researchers to study
the potential of fiber optics for data communications,
sensing, and other applications. As Laser systems have
the ability to send a much larger amount of data than
microwave, and other electrical systems. The first time
transmission of laser beam was in the air.as well as
Researchers experimented by transmitting the laser beam
through different types of waveguides.so Glass fibers
became the preferred medium for transmission of light. In
the initial time the existence of large losses which was
about 1000 dB/km in optical fibers prevented coaxial
cables to be replaced by optical fibers.
The result of investigation of scientist in 1969 showed
that the availability of impurities in the fiber material
caused the signal attenuation in optical fibers. As these
impurities were removed and construction of low-loss
optical fibers become possible. In 1970, a company by the
name of Corning Glass Works made a multimode fiber
with losses under 20 dB/km. The same company, in 1972,
made a high silica-core multimode optical fiber with a 4
dB/km loss.
The telecommunications industry have been changed by
recent advances of fiber optic technology. The ability of
optical fibers to carry gigabits of information at the speed
of light motivated the researcher to research much more
in optical fibers. Also improvements and cost reductions
in optoelectronic components caused emergence of new
product by the name of fiber optic sensing.
Many of the components associated with optoelectronic
and fiber optic communication industries were often
developed for fiber optic sensor applications.
The advantages of fiber optic sensors over others sensors
are as follow: Easy integration into different structures
and composite materials but due to their small size and
cylindrical geometry cause little interference, No electric
current conduct, Immune to electromagnetic and radio
frequency interferences, lightweight, environmental
ruggedness, High sensitivity, Ability of Multiplexing to
form sensing networks, Abilities of Remote sensing and
multifunctional sensing such as strain, pressure,
corrosion, temperature and acoustic signals. [1]

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2. Fiber Optic Sensors Based on the sensing location, a fiber optic sensor
classified in to extrinsic and intrinsic.
In recent years the technology and applications of optical
fibers have improved very rapidly. Optical fiber is a In an extrinsic fiber optic sensor, the fiber serve as a
physical medium, which is subjected by different conduit used to carry light to and from an external optical
perturbation at all times. It therefore experiences device where the sensing takes place. As Figure 2 shows
geometrical (size, shape) and optical (refractive index, an extrinsic and intrinsic fiber optic sensors [1].
mode conversion) changes to a larger or lesser expanse
In intrinsic sensing, the properties of the fiber itself
which is depending upon the nature and the magnitude of
convert an environmental action into a modulation of the
the perturbation from outside.
light beam passing through it. The modulation may be
In fiber optic sensing, the response to external influence is intensity, phase or polarization. Intrinsic fiber optic
deliberately improved as the resulting change in optical sensing takes place within the fiber itself [2].
radiation can be used as a measure of the external
perturbation. But in communication applications it is tried
to minimize such effects so that signal transmission and
reception is reliable. In communication, the signal passing
through a fiber is already modulated, while in sensing, the
fiber acts as a modulator. It also serves as a transducer
which converts measurements data like temperature,
stress, strain, rotation or electric and magnetic currents
into a corresponding change in the optical radiation.
As light is characterized by amplitude (intensity), phase,
Figure 2. Extrinsic and intrinsic types of fiber optic
frequency and polarization, any one or more of these
sensors.
parameters may undergo a change. The productivity of
the fiber optic sensor therefore depends upon the
Based on the modulation and demodulation process, a
magnitude of such change and our ability to measure and
fiber optic sensor classified in to, intensity, a phase, a
quantify the same reliably and accurately [2].
frequency, or a polarization sensor. All these parameters
Fiber optic sensors have been widely used to monitor a may be changed due to external perturbations. So by
wide range of environmental parameters such as position, detecting these parameters and their changes, the external
vibration, strain, temperature, humidity, viscosity, perturbations can be sensed.
chemicals, pressure, current, electric field and several Based on the application, a fiber optic sensor classified as
other environmental factors. [1] follows:
1- Physical sensors: Used to measure physical properties
like temperature, stress ,etc.
3. Fiber Optic Sensor Principles 2- Chemical sensors: Used for pH measurement, gas
analysis, spectroscopic studies, etc.
The general structure of an optical fiber sensor system is
3- Bio-medical sensors: Used in bio-medical applications
consisted of an optical source (Laser, LED, Laser diode
like measurement of blood flow, glucose content etc. [1]
etc.), optical fiber, sensing or modulator element (which
transduces the measurand to an optical signal), an optical
detector and processing electronics (oscilloscope, optical 4. Fiber Optic Sensor Types
spectrum analyzer etc.)As it is shown in Figure1.
4.1 Intensity Based Fiber Optic Sensors
The variation of the light intensity which is proportional
to the perturbing environment can be detected by sensors.
The sense connected with intensity modulation include
transmission, reflection, and micro bending. Intensity
modulated sensors normally need more light to function
Figure1.Basic components of an optical fiber sensor than phase modulated sensors therefore they use large
system. core multimode fibers or bundles of fibers [3].
Fiber optic sensors classified in to three categories such
Intensity based fiber optic sensors are made by using a
as, the sensing location, the operating principle or
device to convert what is being measured into a force that
modulation / demodulation process, and the application.
bends the fiber and causes attenuation of the signal. The
usefulness of these sensors are: Simplicity of excution,

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low cost, possibility of being multiplexed, and ability to
perform as real distributed sensors [1].
distributed sensors have the ability to measure
temperatures and strain at thousands of points along a
single fiber also it is interesting for the monitoring of
extended structures such as pipelines, flow lines, oil
wells, and coiled tubing. Recent developments in
distributed fiber sensing technology allow the monitoring
of 60 km of pipeline from a single instrument and of up to
300 km with the use of optical amplifiers. [4]
4.2 Wavelength Modulated Fiber Optic Sensors
Changes in the wavelength of light for detection is used
via Wavelength modulated sensors. Fluorescence sensors,
black body sensors, and the Bragg grating sensor are
sample of wavelength-modulated sensors. Fluorescent
based fiber sensors are being widely used for medical
applications, chemical sensing and physical parameter
measurements are like temperature, viscosity and
humidity.
The Bragg grating sensor is the most widely used sensor
in the wavelength based sensor. Fiber Bragg gratings
(FBGs) are formed by constructing periodic changes in
index of refraction in the core of a single mode optical
fiber. The Bragg grating sensor operation is shown in
Figure 3 where light from a broadband source (LED)
whose center wavelength is near to the Bragg wavelength
is started into the fiber. The light propagates through the
grating, and part of the signal is reflected at the Bragg
wavelength. The complimentary part of the process shows
a small sliver of signal removed from the total transmitted
signal. This obviously shows the Bragg grating to be an
effective optical filter. [1]
Figure 3. Bragg grating response
Some distinct advantages of wavelength modulated
optical fiber sensor over other types of sensor are as
follow:
 Accuracy of measurements are independent of
small intensity variations of the source of the
system.
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 A wide dynamic range of the movement of the
sensing fiber which is not limited to only quarter
of a wavelength of a single frequency source.
 The variations of the measurand does not have
any effects on the sensitivity of the sensor.
 A higher measuring precision and accuracy is
obtained. Due to the information about the
measurand is surrounded over a wide band rather
than over a single frequency.
 A single low cost wide band source like LED is
needed rather than expensive quadrature phase-
shifted coherent laser sources.
 Direct measurement of strain and self-calibrating
qualities are obtained for Fabray-Perot
interferometric types of sensors [5].
4.3 phase Modulated Fiber Optic Sensors
The external perturbations cause to change the phase of
the light field so that the fiber optic sensor can also be
built based on the light field’s phase changes. The
relationship between the phase change and the optical
path change can be written as:
2𝜋
∅(𝑟, 𝑡) = 𝐿(𝑟, 𝑡)
𝜆
Where 𝜆 is the light wavelength and 𝐿(𝑟, 𝑡) is represents
the optical path change. As optical wavelength is very
small so by a small change in the optical path may result
in a large change in the phase change. [2]
As Phase modulated sensors use changes in the phase of
light for detection. The optical phase of the light passing
through the fiber is modulated by the field to be detected.
This phase modulation is then detected
interferometerically, by comparing the phase of the light
in the signal fiber to that in a reference fiber. [1]
4.4 Polarization Modulated Fiber Optic Sensors
The direction of the electric field portion of the light field
is defined as the polarization state of the light field.
Different types of polarization states of the light field are
linear, elliptical, and circular polarization states. For the
linear polarization state, the direction of the electric field
always keeps in the same line during the light
propagation. For the elliptical polarization state, the
direction of the electric field changes during the light
propagation. As the refractive index of a fiber undergoing
a certain stress or strain is called induced refractive index.
The induced refractive index changes with the direction of
applied stress or strain. Thus, there is an induced phase
difference between different polarization directions. In
other words, under the external perturbation, such as
stress or strain, the optical fiber works like a linear
retarder. Therefore, by detecting the change in the output
polarization state, the external perturbation can be sensed
[1].
 References

Figure 4. Polarization-based fiber optic sensor [1] Fidanboylu, K and Efendioğlu, H. S, "FIBER OPTIC
SENSORS AND THEIR APPLICATIONS," in 5th
5. Applications of Fiber Optic Sensors International Advanced Technologies Symposium
(IATS’09), Karabuk, Turkey, May 13-15, 2009 .
Fiber optic sensors are used in different areas. Some
applications of them are as follow: [2] Bahareh Gholamzadeh, and Hooman Nabovati, "Fiber
 Measurement of physical properties such as Optic Sensors," International Journal of Electrical,
strain, displacement, temperature, pressure, Computer, Energetic, Electronic and Communication
velocity, and acceleration in structures of any Engineering, Vols. vol:2,No:6, World Academy of
shape or size. Science, Engineering and Technology,2008.
 Monitoring the physical health/quality control of
[3] Naseer Sabri, S.A. Aljunid, M.S. Salim and S. Fouad,
structures in the time of construction.
"Fiber Optic Sensors: Short Review," in Recent
 Buildings and Bridges: Concrete monitoring
Trends in Physics of Material Science and
during construction, crack (length, propagation
Technology, Malaysia,Baghdad, Iraq, Springer
speed) monitoring, prestressing monitoring,
Science+Business Media Singapore,2015.
spatial displacement measurement, neutral axis
evolution, long-term deformation (creep and
[4] Daniele Inaudi, "Long-Range Pipeline Monitoring,"
shrinkage) monitoring, concrete-steel interaction, Journal of Pressure Vessel Technology, Vol. 132 /
and post-seismic damage evaluation. 011701-1, Journal of Pressure Vessel Technology,
 Tunnels: Multipoint optical extensometers,
FEBRUARY 2010.
safety monitoring, joints monitoring and damage
detection. [5] Shah M. Musa, "Real-Time Signal Processing and
 Dams: Foundation monitoring, joint expansion
Hardware Development for a Wavelength," Doctor of
monitoring, spatial displacement measurement,
Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering,
leakage monitoring, and distributed temperature
UMI Number: 9957599, Real-Time Signal Processing
monitoring [1].
and Hardware Development for a Wavelength, June
 Electric power industry: Load Monitoring of
26, 1997.
Power Transmission Lines, Winding
Temperature Measurement.
 Medicine: Blood Monitoring.
 Oil and Gas Industry: Monitoring Pipe Line [2].

6. Conclusion
An overview of fiber optics sensors and their applications
has been discussed. The fiber optic sensors principle and
the major types of sensors based on the modulated
(wavelength, phase and polarization) presented.