Brillouin Optical Time-domain Analysis Research Articles

Integration of BOTDA and φ-OTDR distributed fiber sensing for multiple parameters monitoring

Abstract In this article, the integration of the Brillouin optical time-domain analysis (BOTDA) and the phase-sensitive optical time domain reflectometry (φ-OTDR) distributed fiber sensing systems is discussed. By combining the two systems and sharing common instruments, the cost of the experiments is minimized, enabling the sensing of three parameters: temperature, strain, and vibration on the same 18.7 km fiber. In the BOTDA part, the focus is on temperature and strain analysis. Two 4 m dispersion shifted fibers (DSF) are used to simulate strain at different positions, causing the Brillouin frequency shift (BFS) to shift from 10.88 GHz to 10.52 GHz, allowing for strain sensing. The two 4 m single mode fibers and DSF are separately heated from room temperature to 200 °C, resulting in an R2 value of 0.97654 and 0.99958, respectively, indicating a good linear relationship. In the φ-OTDR section, vibration point frequencies were demodulated using an external interferometer system based on Mach–Zehnder interferometer (MZI). This article presents comprehensive experiments that demonstrate the ability to achieve multi-parameter sensing on a single fiber using a hybrid system, all within a low-cost framework.

Brillouin adaptive self-supervised denoising: a denoising method trained without simulated dataset for Brillouin optical time domain analyzer

Brillouin optical time domain analyzer (BOTDA) is a distributed fiber optic sensor in which noise in the Brillouin gain spectra (BGS) significantly affects sensing range, spatial resolution, and Brillouin frequency shift (BFS) extraction accuracy. To maximize the utility of collected BGS and enhance BOTDA performance, we propose Brillouin Adaptive Self-supervised dEnoising (BASE), which we believe to be a novel denoising method based on self-supervised learning. BASE can directly utilize collected BGS data, generating sufficient training samples even from a limited number of noisy BGS images, to enable robust and efficient denoising. This approach circumvents the reliance on simulated noisy-clean BGS pairs required by supervised learning methods and overcomes the performance limitations of classical denoising methods. Experimental results demonstrate that BASE outperforms classical denoising methods such as anisotropic diffusion, 3D filtering, non-local means, and wavelet denoising. Furthermore, compared to the supervised learning method, BASE achieves a 9.5% reduction in root mean squared error (RMSE) for temperature extraction and a 25.4% alleviated spatial resolution (SR) deterioration. By innovating the learning process to eliminate reliance on simulated datasets and clean ground-truth BGS images, BASE effectively removes complex real-world noise, thereby improving sensor performance without requiring hardware modifications. Its ability to achieve high-fidelity noise reduction under varying noise levels and sampling intervals paves the way for more reliable and precise distributed fiber optic sensing, offering significant potential for practical applications.

Strain Decay Monitoring and Analytical Prediction of RC Columns Using Brillouin Optical Technology and Time-Dependent Deterioration Factor.

This study presents a novel approach to the design and assessment of slender reinforced concrete (RC) columns by integrating Brillouin Optical Time Domain Analysis (BOTDA) for real-time, distributed strain monitoring and introducing a "time-dependent deterioration factor" strain decay (ηdecay). Experimental tests on 200 mm × 200 mm RC columns with lengths of 1800 mm and slenderness ratios of 29.4, reinforced with four 12 mm bars, captured strain variations up to 400 microstrain under an axial load of 1200 kN, demonstrate BOTDA's sensitivity and precision. Unlike conventional strain gauges, BOTDA provided a continuous strain profile along the column height, accurately capturing strain decay with a resolution exceeding 95%, enabling the detection of localized strain reductions often missed by traditional methods. The integration of ηdecay into ACI 318 and Eurocode 2 models conservatively improved predictions, particularly for specimens tested with long-term testing (720 days), with experimental-to-predicted (E/P) ratios of 1.42 and 1.29, respectively, compared to higher discrepancies in the original codes. The ηdecay factor accounts for strain reduction along the column height caused by time-dependent effects such as creep, shrinkage, and material degradation, significantly improving the accuracy of axial load capacity predictions. Finite element analysis (FEA) validated these improvements, showing good agreement with experimental data up to the yield load. Post-yield, the modified equations effectively addressed underestimations caused by microcracking, highlighting the necessity of ηdecay for reliable long-term performance predictions. This research combines advanced BOTDA technology with an innovative ηdecay framework, addressing long-term structural deterioration and refining design codes. It establishes a robust foundation for integrating time-dependent effects into predictive models, enhancing the resilience, safety, and sustainability of RC structures under real-world conditions.

Monitoring Excavation-Induced Deformation of a Secant Pile Wall Using Distributed Fiber Optic Sensors.

This paper investigates the use of the BOTDA (Brillouin Optical Time-Domain Analysis) technology to monitor a large-scale bored pile wall in the field. Distributed fiber optic sensors (DFOSs) were deployed to measure internal temperature and strain changes during cement grouting, hardening, and excavation-induced deformation of a secant pile wall. The study details the geological conditions and DFOS installation process. During grouting, the temperature increased by approximately 69 °C due to cement hydration 30 min post-grouting, while the strain decreased by 0.5% on average due to cement slurry shrinkage. During excavation, the temperature changes were minimal, but the excavation depth significantly influenced the strain distribution, with continuous compressive deformation observed in two monitored boreholes. Two analytical methods, the numerical integration method (NIM) and the finite difference method (FDM), were used to calculate the lateral pile displacement based on the monitored strain data. The results were compared with previous monitoring data, showing that the lateral displacement of the pile was minimal after excavation and was attributed to the high stiffness of the secant pile wall. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of DFOSs and BOTDA technology for monitoring complex pile wall behaviors during construction.

Simultaneous temperature and strain sensing using few-mode fiber in a single-ended BOTDA system

Abstract Few-mode fibers contain a limited number of orthogonal modes, and the Brillouin frequency shift of different modes has different sensitivities to temperature and strain, which provides the possibility of realizing multi-parameter sensing. This paper proposes a novel single-ended Brillouin optical time domain analysis (BOTDA) sensing system that uses Rayleigh backscattered light in the fiber as the probe light, and uses a four-mode graded-index few-mode fiber (4GI-FMF) and a photonic lantern to realize two-parameter sensing. The mechanism of single-ended BOTDA based on FMF is investigated, the modes of 4GI-FMF and the principle of two-parameter measurement are analyzed, and an experimental setup utilizing single-ended BOTDA system with 4GI-FMF is constructed. The performance of the sensing system is analyzed by characterizing and evaluating the Brillouin scattering spectral of different modes and the sensitivity of Brillouin frequency shift to temperature and strain. The proposed sensing system realized reliable temperature and strain discrimination on a 1 km long 4GI-FMF, with temperature and strain accuracies of 1.9 °C and 43.7 με, respectively.

Reference-free distributed monitoring of deflections in multi-span bridges

Reference-free distributed monitoring of deflections in multi-span bridges

FBG and BOTDA Based Monitoring of Mine Pressure Under Remaining Coal Pillars Using Physical Modeling.

Strong mine pressure often emerges when the working face of the lower coal seam in a closely spaced coal seam system passes through the remaining coal pillar in the overlying goaf. This study investigates the law of overburden movement and the manifestation of mine pressure during mining under the remaining coal pillar. A physical model measuring 2.5 × 0.2 × 1.503 m is constructed. Fiber Bragg grating sensing technology (FBG) and Brillouin optical time domain analysis technology (BOTDA) are employed in the physical model experiment to monitor the internal strain of the overlying rock as the working face advances. This study determines the laws of overlying rock fracture and working face pressure while mining coal seams beneath the remaining coal pillar. It analyzes the relationship between the pressure at the working face and the strain characteristics of the horizontally distributed optical fiber. A fiber grating characterization method is established for the stress evolution law of overlying rock while passing the remaining coal pillar. The experimental results indicated that the fracture angle of overlying rock gradually decreases during the mining stage through and after the coal pillar. In the mining stage through the coal pillar, the cycle pressure step distance of the working face is reduced by 33.3% compared to the stage after mining through the coal pillar. Initially, the strain pattern of the horizontal optical fiber is unimodal when pressure is first applied to the working face, and it transitions from unimodal to bimodal during periodic pressure. The peak value of fiber Bragg grating compressive strain and the range of influence of advanced support pressure are 3.6 times and 4.8 times, respectively, before passing through the remaining coal pillar. Finally, the accuracy of the FBG characterization method is verified by comparing it to the monitoring curve of the coal seam floor pressure sensor. The research results contribute to applying fiber optic sensing technology in mining physical model experiments.

Research on Multi-Core Curvature Sensing Measurement Based on PPP-BOTDA.

To address the issue of spatial resolution limitations in traditional Brillouin optical time-domain analysis systems due to phonon lifetime constraints, we employed pre-pumped pulse technology. Additionally, to mitigate the double-peak phenomenon observed in pre-pumped Brillouin optical time-domain analysis systems, we implemented a two-sided band interference method to reduce the linewidth of the double-peak fitting. We conducted bending measurements on three eccentric cores and intermediate cores spaced 120° apart. Our results demonstrate that the system described in this paper can achieve a spatial resolution of 30 cm, with bimodal linewidths of 23.1 MHz and 16.0 MHz. Using the parallel transmission frame algorithm, we determined the curvature of a seven-core fiber with a curvature diameter of approximately 10 cm to be 20.67 m-1, with an error margin of 3.2%.

Optimum sensor configuration for a distributed fiber-optic calorimetric dosimeter

Optimum sensor configuration for a distributed fiber-optic calorimetric dosimeter

Strain response law of large-diameter PCCPs under internal water pressure based on BOTDA

Strain response law of large-diameter PCCPs under internal water pressure based on BOTDA

Effective Noise Reduction Filters for Precise Temperature Measurement Using Brillouin Distributed Optical Fiber Sensors

This study explores the effectiveness of various noise reduction filters in accurately measuring temperature distributions over a 38.2 km single-mode fiber (SMF). Brillouin optical time-domain analysis (BOTDA) sensor is utilized to gather Brillouin gain spectra (BGSs), which are denoised using bilateral filter (BF), guided filter (GF), adaptive Wiener filter (AWF), non-local means filter (NLMF), average filter (AF) and disc filter (DF). The temperature distributions over the SMF are then determined by applying least-squares curve fitting (LSCF). The study assesses the efficacy of noise reduction filters considering signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), uncertainty in temperature measurement (UTM), experimental spatial resolution (ESR) and signal processing speed (SPS). Among six different filters, NLMF outperforms other filters which can provide SNR improvement of 10.22 dB for which the UTM can be improved by 58.93% without deteriorating the ESR of the sensor. The noise reduction using such filter can also provide 6.2% faster SPS. Therefore, NLMF can be considered as an effective noise reduction filter for the precise temperature measurement using BOTDA sensors. DUJASE Vol. 8 (1) 42-50, 2023 (January)

Brillouin expanded time-domain analysis based on dual optical frequency combs

Brillouin Optical Time-Domain Analysis (BOTDA) is a widely-used distributed optical fiber sensing technology employing pulse-modulated pump waves for local information retrieval of the Brillouin gain or loss spectra. The spatial resolution of BOTDA systems is intrinsically linked to pulse duration, so high-resolution measurements demand high electronic bandwidths inversely proportional to the resolution. This paper introduces Brillouin Expanded Time-Domain Analysis (BETDA) as a modified BOTDA system, simultaneously achieving high spatial resolution and low detection bandwidth. Utilizing two optical frequency combs (OFCs) with different frequency intervals as pump and probe, local Brillouin gain spectra are recorded by their spectral beating traces in an expanded time domain. A 2-cm-long hotspot located in a 230 m single-mode fiber is successfully measured in the time domain with a detection bandwidth of less than 100 kHz using dual OFCs with tailored spectral phase, line spacing, and bandwidth.

Performance Enhancement in a Few-Mode Rayleigh-Brillouin Optical Time Domain Analysis System Using Pulse Coding and LMD Algorithm

Rayleigh Brillouin optical time domain analysis (BOTDA) uses the backscattered Rayleigh light generated in the fiber as the probe light, which has a lower detection light intensity compared to the BOTDA technique. As a result, its temperature-sensing technology suffers from a low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and severe sensing unreliability due to the influence of the low probe signal and high noise level. The pulse coding and LMD denoising method are applied to enhance the performance of the Brillouin frequency shift detection and temperature measurement. In this study, the mechanism of Rayleigh BOTDA based on a few-mode fiber (FMF) is investigated, the principles of the Golay code and local mean decomposition (LMD) algorithm are analyzed, and the experimental setup of the Rayleigh BOTDA system using an FMF is constructed to analyze the performance of the sensing system. Compared with a single pulse of 50 ns, the 32-bit Golay coding with a pulse width of 10 ns improves the spatial resolution to 1 m. Further enhanced by the LMD algorithm, the SNR and temperature measurement accuracy are increased by 5.5 dB and 1.05 °C, respectively. Finally, a spatial resolution of 1.12 m and a temperature measurement accuracy of 2.85 °C are achieved using a two-mode fiber with a length of 1 km.

A method for monitoring the uneven settlement of shield tunnels considering the flattening effect using distributed strain data measured from BOTDA sensors

When investigating the uneven settlement monitoring of shield tunnels, the influence of the flattening effect under longitudinal bending is rarely considered, which leads to inaccurate and incomplete settlement monitoring. To address this issue, a method for monitoring the uneven settlement of shield tunnels that considers the flattening effect is proposed, which is achieved using high-density strain data from distributed Brillouin optical time domain analysis (BOTDA) sensors. The high-density measured strain data is used to combine global settlement with the additional influence of the flattening effect, which includes extrusion and shear effects. This approach allows the trend of uneven settlement to be effectively monitored. Furthermore, a finite element model updating process is implemented in advance to improve the accuracy of soil parameters and minimize calculation errors in practical engineering. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method, an application example from the Jinan Rail Transit Line 3 was utilized for numerical simulations and practical tests. The results of the application example reveal that the proposed method has a high accuracy, with measurements comparable to the total station-based method. This indicates that the proposed method is an effective and robust settlement monitoring approach and provides a referential basis for further tunnel operations and maintenance.

Research on key technology to determine the exact maximum allowable current-carrying ampacity for submarine cables

Research on key technology to determine the exact maximum allowable current-carrying ampacity for submarine cables

Research on the construction and verification of evaluation model for borehole collapse in gas extraction

Research on the construction and verification of evaluation model for borehole collapse in gas extraction

Microwave-free BOTDA based on a continuous-wave self-sweeping laser.

This Letter presents the first demonstration, to our knowledge, of a Brillouin optical time domain analysis (BOTDA) system based on a self-sweeping fiber laser. The unique feature of such laser sources is the generation of a narrowband tunable radiation with a small (6 MHz) tuning step and a reasonably large tuning range (3 GHz) making self-sweeping lasers extremely attractive for use in BOTDA systems. Since the wavelength tuning occurs solely due to internal processes occurring in the laser cavity, there is no need to use complex current/temperature control and feedback systems. This makes it possible to completely eliminate microwave devices, such as electro-optic modulators, from the BOTDA design. In this work, distributed temperature measurements with sensing line length of 25 km, spatial resolution of 10 m, and sensitivity of 2°C is demonstrated in a BOTDA system based on an Er-doped self-sweeping laser. The described approaches can reduce the complexity and overall cost of the BOTDA systems.

Combined Radiation and Temperature Effects on Brillouin-Based Optical Fiber Sensors

The combined effects of temperature (from −80 °C to +80 °C) and 100 kV X-ray exposure (up to 108 kGy(SiO2)) on the physical properties of Brillouin scattering and losses in three differently doped silica-based optical fibers, with varying dopant type and concentration (4 wt%(Ge), 10 wt%(Ge) and 1 wt%(F)), are experimentally studied in this work. The dependencies of Brillouin Frequency Shifts (BFS), Radiation-Induced Attenuation (RIA) levels, Brillouin gain attenuation, Brillouin frequency temperature (CT) and strain (Cε) sensitivity coefficients are studied under X-rays in a wide temperature range [−80 °C; +80 °C]. Brillouin sensing capabilities are investigated using a Brillouin Optical Time Domain Analyzer (BOTDA), and several properties are reported: (i) similar behavior of the Brillouin gain amplitude decrease with the increase in the RIA; (ii) the F-doped and heavily Ge-doped fibers do not exhibit a temperature dependence under radiation for their responses in Brillouin gain losses. Increasing Ge dopant concentration also reduces the irradiation temperature effect on RIA. In addition, Radiation-Induced Brillouin Frequency Shift (RI-BFS) manifests a slightly different behavior for lower temperatures than RIA, presenting an opportunity for a comprehensive understanding of RI-BFS origins. Related temperature and strain sensors are designed for harsh environments over an extended irradiation temperature range, which is useful for a wide range of applications.

Vertical Displacement Measurement in a Slow-Moving Sinkhole Using BOTDA

The effectiveness of monitoring and early-warning systems for ground deformation phenomena, such as sinkholes, depends on their ability to accurately resolve the ongoing ground displacement and detect the subtle deformation preceding catastrophic failures. Sagging sinkholes with a slow subsidence rate and diffuse edges pose a significant challenge for subsidence monitoring due to the low deformation rates and limited lateral strain gradients. In this work, we satisfactorily illustrate the practicality of the Brillouin optical time domain analysis (BOTDA) to measure the spatial-temporal patterns of the vertical displacement in such challenging slow-moving sagging sinkholes. To assess the performance of the approach, we compare the strain recorded by the distributed optical fiber sensor with the vertical displacement measured by high-precision leveling. The results show a good spatial correlation with the ability to identify the maximum subsidence point. There is also a good temporal correlation with the detection of an acceleration phase in the subsidence associated with a flood event.

Research on Similarity Simulation Experiment of Mine Pressure Appearance in Surface Gully Working Face Based on BOTDA.

In order to study the mountain deflection characteristics and the pressure law of the working face after the mining of a shallow coal seam under the valley terrain, a geometric size of 5.0 × 0.2 × 1.33 m is used in the physical similarity model. Brillouin optical time domain analysis (BOTDA) technology is applied to a similar physical model experiment to monitor the internal strain of the overlying rock. In this paper, the strain law of the horizontal optical fiber at different stages of the instability of the mountain structure is analyzed. Combined with the measurement of the strain field on the surface of the model via digital image correlation (DIC) technology, the optical fiber strain characteristics of the precursor of mountain instability are given. The optical fiber characterization method of working face pressure is proposed, and the working face pressures at different mining stages in gully terrain are characterized. Finally, the relationship between the deflection instability of the mountain and the strong ground pressure on the working face is discussed. The sudden increase in the strain peak point of the horizontally distributed optical fiber strain curve can be used to distinguish the strong ground pressure. At the same time, this conclusion is verified by comparing the measured underground ground pressure values. The research results can promote the application of optical fiber sensing technology in the field of mine engineering.