We demonstrate a grating recording method using an excimer KrF UV laser for batch imprinting of distributed feedback (DFB) fiber lasers (FL) with complex profiles and high grating strength (up to K<4 cm-1) for underwater acoustic sensing applications. The specially developed FPGA-controlled stepping algorithm allows for the recording of long (up to 52mm) DFB laser structures with step error compensation, chirping and apodisation for the FL side-lobe suppression at arbitrarily high exposures. Batch recording involving simultaneous exposure of a number of fibers placed in the recording zone, to achieve time and cost reduction during manufacturing is demonstrated. A number of different gratings in a passive fiber as well as DFB FL in Er-doped active fiber have been fabricated and studied. Further ways to improve the recording process are proposed.
In this paper we demonstrate high strength (Κ< 4 cm-1) grating imprinting using excimer KrF UV laser for underwater DFB fiber laser sensing applications. The FPGA-controlled stepping recording system allows for the recording of long (up to 52mm) gratings with error compensation, chirping and apodisation for side-lobe suppression and at arbitrarily high exposures. Batch recording of fibre gratings (4 fibres/mm) was also proposed and demonstrated.
We have developed an 8-element fibre laser seabed array demonstrating state-of-the art performance characteristics for a
fibre laser sensing system. The system employs sea-state-zero sensitivity hydrophones with a flat acoustic response over
a bandwidth exceeding 5kHz and very low inertial sensitivity. The system contains no outboard electronics and few metal
components making it extremely light, compact, and low complexity. The array may be deployed up to 4 km from a land
or sea based platform to a depth of up to 80m. Power delivery and telemetry for all 8 sensors is achieved via a single 2mm
diameter optical fibre cable weighing less than 5kg per km. We report here results of the first field trials of this system.
We have developed an 8-element fibre laser seabed array demonstrating state-of-the art performance characteristics for a fibre laser sensing system and highlighting the advantage this technology provides in the underwater sensing domain. The system employs sea-state-zero sensitivity hydrophones with a flat acoustic response over a bandwidth exceeding 5kHz and very low inertial sensitivity. The system contains no outboard electronics and few metal components making it extremely light, compact, and low complexity. The array may be deployed up to 4 km from a land or sea based platform to a depth of up to 80m. Power delivery and telemetry for all 8 sensors is achieved via a single 2mm diameter optical fibre cable weighing less than 5kg per km. We report here results of the first field trials of this system.
A pressure compensated distributed feedback fibre laser hydrophone is described. Pressure compensation is achieved by
incorporating an air-filled bladder and acoustic filter into the hydrophone making it insensitive to hydrostatic pressures to
depths of up to 50m.
It is known that the strain resolution of fibre laser sensors is determined by frequency noise of the laser sensor element.
We compare the frequency noise of a number of distributed feedback fibre laser sensors and find that all exhibit similar
dominant 1/f noise below 10kHz. Examination of current theories of thermodynamic noise and 1/f noise in fibre lasers
suggests that these lasers may be close to the theoretical limits of strain sensitivity.
We demonstrate an electro-optic phase modulator based demodulation system for acoustic frequency modulated
optical signals. The system is free from polarisation fading and is capable of retrieving high frequency signals,
ultimately limited by the time of flight of the interferometer itself. Digital interrogation method is based on the Carré
algorithm and does not require fine tuning of the introduced phase and is suitable for simultaneous phase retrieval at
multiple wavelengths without the need for correction transfer filters.
A new fibre optic hydrophone based on a distributed feedback fibre laser (DFB FL) sensor is described. The sensor is designed to achieve ocean noise limited pressure sensitivity. Unlike previous fibre laser acoustic sensors, this device is acceleration insensitive making it less susceptible to vibrational noise. Experimental results for one implementation of the sensor are presented.
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