The current state of the art of optical fiber sensors is reviewed. The principles of operation are detailed and the various types of fiber sensors are outlined. Achievable performance and limitations are discussed and a description of technology used to fabricate the sensor is presented. The characteristics of acoustic, magnetic, gyro, laser diode, and other sensors are described. Trends in the development of this sensor technology and expected application areas are briefly outlined.

Optical fiber sensor technology

A method of homodyne demodulation using a phase generated carrier is described and experimentally demonstrated. The method has a large dynamic range, good linearity, and is capable of detecting phase shifts in the microradian range. The detection scheme obviates the phase tracker resetting problem encountered in active homodyne detection schemes. Two methods of producing the carrier are presented, one employing a piezoelectric stretcher, the other using current induced frequency modulation of the diode laser source. These two methods are compared. The origins of the noise limiting the system are briefly discussed.

Homodyne demodulation scheme for fiber optic sensors using phase generated carrier

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Homodyne Demodulation Scheme for Fiber Optic Sensors Using Phase Generated Carrier

Sensing via fiber optics has occupied R&D groups for over 40 years, and some important transitions into the commercial sector have been achieved. We look at the fundamental concepts involved in the various sensing approaches, and the differentiators which have led to commercial impact. We also look to the future of fiber-optic sensors.

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Fiber-Optic Sensing: A Historical Perspective

The evolution of optical interferometers into extreme resolution large dynamic range sensors implemented in a guided wave form is discussed. The design and performance of fibre optic interferometric sensors optimised for specific periodic and quasi-steady-state measurands such as rotation, magnetic field, temperature, etc., are described.

https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/0022-3735/18/12/001/pdf

Monomode optical fibre interferometers for precision measurement

A new interferometric demodulation technique is described. This technique employs phase swept multicarrier demodulation (synthetic-heterodyne) to optimize the interferometer output.

/pdf/synthetic-heterodyne-interferometric-demodulation-4okgr9ez3e.pdf

J.A. Bucaro

Papers

Synthetic-heterodyne interferometric demodulation