Pico-strain multiplexed fiber optic sensor array operating down to infra-sonic frequencies.
An integrated sensor system is presented which displays passive long range operation to 100 km at pico-strain (pepsilon) sensitivity to low frequencies (4 Hz) in wavelength division multiplexed operation with negligible cross-talk (better than -75 dB). This has been achieved by pre-stabilizing and multiplexing all interrogation lasers for the sensor array to a single optical frequency reference. This single frequency reference allows each laser to be locked to an arbitrary wavelength and independently tuned, while maintaining suppression of laser frequency noise. With appropriate packaging, such a multiplexed strain sensing system can form the core of a low frequency accelerometer or hydrophone array.
Littler
Ian C M
IC
Centre for Gravitational Physics, Research School of Physics and Engineering, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia. ian.littler@anu.edu.au
Gray
Malcolm B
MB
Chow
Jong H
JH
Shaddock
Daniel A
DA
McClelland
David E
DE