A Fresnel reflection-based optical fiber sensor system for remote refractive index measurement using an OTDR

Abstract

In this paper, we propose a Fresnel reflection-based optical fiber sensor system for remote refractive index measurement using the optical time domain reflectometry technique as an interrogation method. The surrounding refractive index from a long distance away can be measured easily by using this sensor system, which operates based on testing the Fresnel reflection intensity from the fiber-sample interface. This system is a simple configuration, which is easy to handle. Experimental results showed that the range of this measurement could reach about 100.8 km, and the refractive index sensitivities were from 38.71 dB/RIU to 304.89 dB/RIU in the refractive index (RI) range from 1.3486 to 1.4525.

Keywords

Fresnel reflection / optical fiber sensor / remote measurement / OTDR

References

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