Fiber distributed Brillouin sensing with optical correlation domain techniques

Abstract

Fiber distributed Brillouin sensing is discussed, focusing mainly on optical correlation domain techniques. By synthesizing a delta-function like optical coherence function between pump and probe lightwave traveling along an optical fiber in opposite directions, which is realized by modulating laser source frequency by an appropriate waveform, stimulated Brillouin scattering can be selectively excited at one specific position along the fiber. The selected position can easily be swept by changing the modulation frequency, so the distributed measurement can be achieved. In the system, Brillouin Optical Correlation Domain Analysis (BOCDA), the position to be measured can be selected randomly along the fiber, which is a special feature of the system. Spatial resolution of 1.6mm and measurement speed of 1000samples/s have already been demonstrated. With a similar way, distribution of spontaneous Brillouin scattering can also be measured along the fiber. Spatial resolution of 10mm and measurement speed of 50samples/s have already been demonstrated in the system, Brillouin Optical Correlation Domain Reflectometry (BOCDR). Brillouin dynamic grating (BDG), which is acoustic-wave generated refractive-index grating caused in the stimulated Brillouin scattering process, was found to cause a Bragg reflection for the orthogonally polarized lightwave in an polarization maintaining fiber. By measuring both the BDG and the Brillouin scattering, discriminative distributed measurement of strain and temperature has been realized by the BOCDA scheme with a 10mm spatial resolution.