Fiber optic sensors for environmental monitoring

Abstract

Sensors discussed are designed to register acoustic waves and micro deformations in ground. Sensor technology is based on phase modulation that occurs in optical fiber when it is influenced by outside mechanical disturbance. In our paper we consider two possible ways of registration this phase modulation: fiber optic interferometer and mode to mode interference. These methods can be incorporated with various signal processing technique to obtain maximum efficiency of fiber optic sensor under the certain conditions. It is well known that optical fibers are widely used to transmit high band signals for long distances. In this case fiber sensitivity to environmental disturbances is a bad thing. But from other side the disturbances change propagating light properties (intensity, phase, polarization, etc.). This changes can be registered in the output light and after appropriate signal processing will give information about the parameters of the outside influence on the fiber. This is an idea in brief how optical fibers can be used as physical parameters sensors.