Optic Acoustic Sensor Research Articles

Research on a signal demodulation algorithm for fiber optic acoustic sensors based on the amplitude ratio of harmonic components

Fiber optic sensing technology's performance is crucially influenced by the choice of demodulation algorithms. Traditional intensity demodulation methods rely on precisely controlling the working point to the quadrature point (Q point) by adjusting the laser wavelength. However, issues like laser wavelength adjustment accuracy and laser power variations with wavelength affect demodulation accuracy, limiting its application in complex scenarios. Additionally, this method requires sensitivity calibration and has a limited dynamic range. To address these limitations, this paper proposes an amplitude ratio of harmonic components (ARHC) demodulation algorithm. It analyzes the harmonic components of the interference light intensity output by the sensor to calculate Fabry-Perot cavity length changes, achieving real-time demodulation of dynamic signals. Compared to traditional methods, the ARHC algorithm simplifies system adjustment, has a larger demodulation range and higher accuracy, and is more adaptable to environmental changes. Simulations and experiments demonstrate its effectiveness and high-precision, large-dynamic-range signal demodulation capabilities under different interference conditions. The EFPI ultrasonic sensitivity based on the ARHC algorithm is 2.5 nm/Pa@23kHz, and it can linearly demodulate up to a vibration amplitude of 372.8 nm for the sensitive diaphragm, with a demodulation error of less than or equal to 0.8 nm.

A novel optical acoustic fabric based on intensity-modulated flexible air-filled fiber adapter for sound sensing

This study proposes and demonstrates an optical acoustic fabric design method to detect sound, which is based on intensity-modulated flexible air-filled fiber adapter (FAFFA). A FAFFA was woven into the weft center of the polyamide fabric as weft, and the FAFFA was realized by connecting polymer optical fibers at each end of an flexible tube. The principle of the optical acoustic fabric is to allow the flexible tube to deform with the resonance of the polyamide fabric, subsequently changing the light intensity in the FAFFA. The macro-scale finite element method and ray tracing optical simulation investigated the operating principle of optical acoustic fabric and performance of FAFFA structures, and the influence of fabric parameters was evaluated by meso-scale finite element simulation. The yarn of the optical fiber acoustic fabric has low Young’s modulus and high flexibility. The proposed FAFFA structure is simple to prepare and has good maneuverability, which breaks away from the constraints of the traditional optical acoustic sensor membrane structure. This proposed optical acoustic fabric is easy to prepare, simple in principle and highly flexible. Along with wireless devices, the use of the optical acoustic fabric can be further extended to “hearing aids” for special individuals in wearable applications.

Investigation of membrane stress continuously adjustable fiber optic acoustic sensor based on inverse piezoelectric effect

In this paper, a fiber optic acoustic sensor with continuously adjustable membrane stress technology is proposed, in which the stress exerted on the membrane can be flexibly adjusted by employing the inverse piezoelectric effect of lead zirconate titanate (PZT) tubular pedestal. First, the response mechanism of stress on the membrane is investigated theoretically. Based on this principle, the effect of adjustable stress on the flat response region and sensitivity of a single mode-multimode-single mode (SMS) fiber optic acoustic sensor are studied experimentally. The experimental results reveal that the flat response region of the sensor extends from 250 Hz to 450 Hz following the continuous increase in the membrane stress by changing the positive direct current voltage applied on PZT from 0 V to 100 V; meanwhile, the sensitivity decreases gradually from 336.5 mV Pa−1 to 162.7 mV Pa−1. The results also verify that the average minimum detectable pressure of the sensor is maintained at 0.54 mPa Hz−1/2 with a fluctuation of 0.08 mPa Hz−1/2 during the tuning process of membrane stress, which provides a flexible method for performance and applicability improvement of membrane-based fiber optic acoustic sensors.

Magnetic Field Sensing via Acoustic Sensing Fiber with Metglas® 2605SC Cladding Wires

Magnetic field sensing has the potential to become necessary as a critical tool for long-term subsurface geophysical monitoring. The success of distributed fiber optic sensing for geophysical characterization provides a template for the development of next generation downhole magnetic sensors. In this study, Sentek Instrument’s picoDAS is coupled with a multi-material single mode optical fiber with Metglas® 2605SC cladding wire inclusions for magnetic field detection. The response of acoustic sensing fibers with one and two Metglas® 2605SC cladding wires was evaluated upon exposure to lateral AC magnetic fields. An improved response was demonstrated for a sensing fiber with in-cladding wire following thermal magnetic annealing (~400 °C) under a constant static transverse magnetic field (~200 μT). A minimal detectable magnetic field of ~500 nT was confirmed for a sensing fiber with two 10 μm cladding wires. The successful demonstration of a magnetic field sensing fiber with Metglas® cladding wires fabricated via traditional draw processes sets the stage for distributed measurements and joint inversion as a compliment to distributed fiber optic acoustic sensors.

High-sensitivity fiber-tip acoustic sensor with ultrathin gold diaphragm

Miniature acoustic sensors with high sensitivity are highly desired for applications in medical photoacoustic imaging, acoustic communications and industrial nondestructive testing. However, conventional acoustic sensors based on piezoelectric, piezoresistive and capacitive detectors usually require a large element size on a millimeter to centimeter scale to achieve a high sensitivity, greatly limiting their spatial resolution and the application in space-confined sensing scenarios. Herein, by using single-crystal two-dimensional gold flakes (2DGFs) as the sensing diaphragm of an extrinsic Fabry-Perot interferometer on a fiber tip, we demonstrate a miniature optical acoustic sensor with high sensitivity. Benefiting from the ultrathin thickness (∼8 nm) and high reflectivity of the 2DGF, the fiber-tip acoustic sensor gives an acoustic pressure sensitivity of ∼300 mV/Pa in the frequency range from 100 Hz to 20 kHz. The noise-equivalent pressure of the fiber-tip acoustic sensor at the frequency of 13 kHz is as low as 62.8 µPa/Hz1/2, which is one or two orders of magnitude lower than that of reported optical acoustic sensors with the same size.

An Optical Acoustic Sensor Based on Grooved High-Q Ring Resonator Applied to Sub-atmospheric Pressure Environment

An Optical Acoustic Sensor Based on Grooved High-Q Ring Resonator Applied to Sub-atmospheric Pressure Environment

Separating method for multi-source vibration signals in ultra-weak fiber Bragg grating distributed acoustic sensors

Mixing multi-source vibration signals presents a major challenge in target recognition in distributed fiber optic acoustic sensor systems. This article proposes a deep learning method for separating ultra-weak fiber Bragg grating (UW-FBG) distributed acoustic sensor (DAS) multi-source signals. An experimental setup is constructed to create vibration environments for knocking, fan vibration, and steel pipe friction. The UW-FBG DAS system is used to collect single-source vibration signals, as well as two-source and three-source mixed vibration signals. First, a wavelet denoising algorithm is used to preprocess the data. Second, the datasets are constructed for simulated mixed signals and measured mixed signals. The Conv-TasNet deep learning network is utilized to separate DAS vibration signals. Results demonstrate that the proposed method can separate mixed signals of vibration, fan, and steel pipe friction sources, obtaining the corresponding time–frequency entropy similarity of 97.5%, 92.8% and 90.2%, and compared with commonly used multi-source signal separation methods, it has advantages in separation performance and separation time, and exhibits good robustness in different signal environments. This finding the efficacy of the separation method and provides a valuable solution for DAS multi-source signal separation problems in complex environments.

A Wide Frequency Response Fabry–Pérot Acoustic Sensor Based on the Self-Stabilization System

A self-stabilization system based on the operating point is built for measuring the membrane-free optical acoustic sensor constructed of a rigid Fabry-Pérot (F-P) cavity. The system can directly lock and track the quadrature point of the sensor’s spectrum to realize broadband acoustic detection with high sensitivity. Compared with the demodulation system based on phase modulation spectrum technology, the system is simple in construction and has the advantage of fast real-time demodulation rate and wide detection bandwidth. The experimental results show the acoustic sensor achieves a wide frequency response of 700 Hz-411 kHz with a flatness of ±1.78 dB, and a sensitivity of 31.83 mV/Pa, while the maximum detectable sound pressure reaches 136.9 dB. The sensor performs well in broadening the frequency response range, which includes a medium and high frequency range from 700 Hz to 20 kHz for noise monitoring, as well as an ultrasound range from 20 to 411 kHz for aeroacoustics and photoacoustic imaging. The improvement of the frequency band characteristics of the sensor in this research will further contribute to the development of application fields.

SNR Model of Optical Fiber Acoustic Sensing System Based on F-P Structure

The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is a crucial parameter for assessing audio transmission quality and fiber optic acoustic sensors. This study presents a model for predicting the SNR of a fiber optic F-P acoustic sensing system using the Fabry–Perot (F-P) cavity length modulation principle, considering noise and line loss in the optical path. To validate the model, we constructed an F-P acoustic sensor system and measured the SNR in a semi-anechoic room. Additionally, we used MATLAB to simulate the SNR model and compared the results with experimental data. The model accurately predicted the SNR of the fiber optic F-P acoustic sensor system. Our results offer valuable guidance and theoretical support for optimizing system performance.

Improved Optical Path Structure for Symmetric Demodulation Method in EFPI Fiber Optic Acoustic Sensors Using Wavelength Division Multiplexing.

This paper presents a novel improvement in the optical path structure of a three-wavelength symmetric demodulation method applied to extrinsic Fabry-Perot interferometer (EFPI) fiber optic acoustic sensors. The traditional approach of using couplers to construct the phase difference in the symmetric demodulation method is replaced with a new approach that combines the symmetric demodulation algorithm with wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) technology. This improvement addresses the issue of a suboptimal coupler split ratio and phase difference, which can affect the accuracy and performance of the symmetric demodulation method. In an anechoic chamber test environment, the symmetric demodulation algorithm implemented with the WDM optical path structure achieved a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 75.5 dB (1 kHz), a sensitivity of 1104.9 mV/Pa (1 kHz), and a linear fitting coefficient of 0.9946. In contrast, the symmetric demodulation algorithm implemented with the traditional coupler-based optical path structure achieved an SNR of 65.1 dB (1 kHz), a sensitivity of 891.75 mV/Pa (1 kHz), and a linear fitting coefficient of 0.9905. The test results clearly indicate that the improved optical path structure based on WDM technology outperforms the traditional coupler-based optical path structure in terms of sensitivity, SNR, and linearity.

Staging analysis of damage-failure transition in composite materials by optic acoustic sensors

Staging analysis of damage-failure transition in composite materials by optic acoustic sensors

Monitoring the fluidized bed reactor for polyethylene polymerization based on fibre optic acoustic emission sensor

AbstractThis paper presents applications of a new class of fibre optic acoustic emission (FOAE) sensor to monitor the operation of fluidized bed reactors used in polyethylene production. Specifically, the sensor was implemented to detect undesired, abnormal phenomena related to particle agglomeration, wall sheeting, fine overflow, and variations in the superficial gas velocity. The experiments were executed using a fluidized bed cold model setup for polyethylene powders with average particle sizes of 250, 1000, and 2000 μm. The results demonstrated that the presence of agglomerated particles in the fluidized bed reactor increases the kurtosis of the acoustic emission (AE) signal. Furthermore, the overflow of small particles can be detected by mounting the FOAE sensor below the gas distributor plate and monitoring an increase in the root mean square (RMS) of the AE signal. The AE signal RMS increased with the rising superficial gas velocity. Besides, forming a sheet layer on the reactor wall decreased the AE signal RMS. The proposed sensor's main benefits are its simple design, rapid response to abnormal conditions in the fluidized bed reactor, immunity against electromagnetic noise, high‐temperature resistance, and safety in hazardous areas.

Research Progress of Applying Distributed Fiber Optic Measurement Technology in Hydraulic Fracturing and Production Monitoring

With the exploration and development of unconventional oil and gas resources, downhole environmental monitoring and data-analysis technologies are becoming more and more important. Distributed fiber optic measurement technology, as a new monitoring technology to obtain accurate data, has a wide range of applications in hydraulic fracturing and production monitoring. It mainly includes: distributed fiber optic temperature sensors (DTSs) to monitor gas lift, identify in-flow fluid types, interpret flow profiles and monitor production enhancement operations; distributed fiber optic acoustic sensors (DASs) to monitor low frequency strain and microseismic and hydraulic fracturing operations; and distributed fiber optic stress sensors (DSSs) to characterize fractures in the near-well area, which have been well applied in the field. This paper describes the current application status of DASs and DSSs in hydraulic fracturing and production monitoring, respectively, from the principle of distributed fiber optic measurement technology. It also points out the limitations of these measurement technologies and the direction of future development. Distributed fiber optic measurement technology has been making technical breakthroughs in recent years, providing strong technical support for the development of unconventional oil and gas resources.

Underwater Acoustic Wave Detection Based on Packaged Optical Microbubble Resonator

We demonstrate an optical underwater acoustic sensor with high sensitivity and broad bandwidth (10 Hz to 100 kHz), based on the packaged optical microbubble whispering gallery mode resonator, for the first time. The underwater acoustic pressure sensitivity level is as high as −159.3 dB re 1 V/μPa at 1 kHz that benefits from the high optical Q-factor and low refractive index (RI) polymer cladding. The corresponding noise equivalent pressure (NEP) is 66.8 dB re 1 μPa/Hz <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">1/2</sup> , which is equivalently 2.2 mPa/Hz <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">1/2</sup> . The sensitivity is hardly affected by the changes of static pressure and temperature in practical applications. The wide underwater acoustic response directivity is measured and the angular responses have – 6 dB angle range of 75.6° and 105.5° in two orthogonal directions, respectively. This work provides a potential miniature optical acoustic sensor for the broadband underwater acoustic wave detection.

Analysis and Optimization of Acoustic Sensor Based on Fiber Fabry-Pérot Etalon

Fiber optic sensors have been extensively studied in recent years. Due to the advantages of high sensitivity, compact structure, and anti-electromagnetic interference, the sensors based on the Fabry-Pérot (FP) cavity have become a research hotspot. The Fabry-Pérot etalon (FPE) acoustic sensor consists of two Plano-Concave Lenses coated with a highly reflective film, the Graded Index Lenses (GRIN) lenses, the optical fibers and a glass tube. Acoustic detection is realized by detecting the small change in the refractive index of the cavity medium caused by sound pressure, and the phase modulation technology realizes the modulation and demodulation of the acoustic signal. Matlab is used to analyze the influence of refractive index changes on the resonance spectrum and sensitivity curve, so the cavity mirrors with the reflectivity of 99% are selected. The structure of the FPE sensor is optimized using Zemax software. The optimal length of the sensor is 29.973 mm and the diameter is 6 mm. The high quality factor values of experiment and simulation are both 10 <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">6</sup> . At the same time, the experimental results show that the sensor has a response in the range of 50 Hz-20 kHz, with a high Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) of 61.97 dB when the sound pressure is 19.795 Pa, and the sensitivity response is linear, reaching 0.19013 V/Pa. The research results provide useful guidance for the optimal design of the sensor, and the correctness of the theory is verified by the performance test of the optical acoustic sensor.

MEMS fiber optic acoustic sensor and performance testing method based on ultra-small GRIN fiber lens

MEMS fiber optic acoustic sensor and performance testing method based on ultra-small GRIN fiber lens

A Compact and Highly Sensitive Voice-Eavesdropping Microresonator

A compact cantilever-based voice-eavesdropping microresonator is proposed. The dynamic vibration of the cantilever-microresonator system induced by an applied acoustic pressure is converted into a modulation of the cavity resonances. Then, the resonance-shift-induced optical transmission change is utilized to detect the applied acoustic signals. The enhancement of both the vibration and optical response makes the proposed system highly sensitive and have better performance than many other optical acoustic sensors. The noise equivalent pressure of the proposed system at 900 Hz is 52 μPa/Hz <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">1/2</sup> . The system has a favorable broad frequency response range covering 0∼6 kHz. Experimental results prove that the system can acquire and reconstruct a voice signal 7 m away with high sensitivity and reliability, which can meet a variety of needs, such as indoor eavesdropping. Furthermore, the system is easy to fabricate, has low power consumption and is fairly tunable in terms of the frequency response range and sensitivity. This microcavity-based novel acoustic sensor is promising for opening up new possibilities in intrusion detection, voice eavesdropping and many other vibro-acoustic analysis applications.

A multi-frequency fiber optic acoustic sensor based on graphene-oxide Fabry-Perot microcavity

A multi-frequency fiber optic acoustic sensor (FOAS) based on graphene-oxide Fabry-Perot microcavity (GO-FPM) is proposed and demonstrated. The micrometer-size FP cavity is formed by a single-mode-fiber end surface and a layer of GO diaphragm. The GO diaphragm is used as the acoustic sensitive diaphragm to realize the acoustic signal detection. The performance of the GO-FPM FOAS for single-frequency, dual-frequency and triple-frequency acoustic signal detection is experimentally investigated. The influence of the input optical power and wavelength on sensor performance is also investigated. As for single-frequency acoustic signal detection, the signal to noise ratio (SNR) can be as high as 65.2 dB, with a broad frequency response ranged from 400 Hz to 20 kHz and a high linearity of ≈1. The SNRs for the dual-frequency and the triple-frequency acoustic signal detection can be >65.1 dB and >61.8 dB, respectively. The proposed GO-FPM FOAS have potential applications in structural health monitoring, fiber hydrophone, pipeline leakage detection, biomedicine, etc.

Acoustic sensing with light

Optical acoustic sensors have gained interest for use in photoacoustic imaging systems, but can they dethrone conventional piezoelectric sensors altogether?

High Sensitivity and High Stability Dual Fabry-Perot Interferometric Fiber-Optic Acoustic Sensor Based on Sandwich-Structure Composite Diaphragm

A dual Fabry-Perot (FP) interferometric fiber-optic acoustic sensor based on sandwich-structure composite diaphragm is proposed, where fixed phase difference is generated by two FP interferometers (FPIs) with different cavity length. An ellipse fitting differential cross multiplication (EF-DCM) interrogation process is applied for phase demodulation to overcome drawbacks of quadrature point based intensity demodulation, such as temperature drifting, optical power jitter and limited dynamic range. Besides, benefiting from the large area sandwich-structure composite diaphragm, high sensitivity and wide flat frequency response are obtained. Experimental results show that phase sensitivity is -121.11 dB re 1 rad/μPa@250 Hz and sensitivity fluctuation is below 0.8 dB between 2-250Hz. To prove the high stability of the demodulation system, acoustic signal test is performed at different wavelength and different optical power and a fluctuation below 3% is observed. Moreover, profiting from the dual FP sensor structure, the acoustic sensor is get rid of influence of temperature drifting which usually leads to variation of cavity length of fiber optic acoustic sensor. The proposed sensor structure also overcomes drawbacks of traditional dual wavelength demodulation such as extra noise introduced by erbium doped fiber amplifier (EDFA) and high cost.