Terahertz-range weak reflection fiber optic structures for sensing applications

Document Type

Article

Date of Original Version

3-1-2017

Abstract

This paper describes a series of terahertz-range weak reflection fiber optic structures engineered for distributed temperature and strain sensing applications. Four specific structures are described: an intrinsic Fabry-Perot interferometer, a terahertz-range fiber Bragg grating, a phase-shifted terahertz-range fiber Bragg grating, and a terahertz-range fiber Bragg grating fabricated with an intact optical fiber buffer coating. All four structures were fabricated using a femtosecond laser micromachining system, which inscribed the structures within the core of a single-mode silica optical fiber. Interrogation technique, signal processing, fabrication method, and experimental investigation of each structure are described. The results presented demonstrate that these structures specifically, and terahertz-range optical fiber sensors more generally, hold substantial utility as methods of distributed temperature and strain sensing.

Publication Title, e.g., Journal

IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics

Volume

23

Issue

2

Share

COinS