Polymer optical fibers (POFs) doped with organic dyes can be used to make efficient lasers and amplifiers due to the high gains achievable in short distances. This paper analyzes the peculiarities of light amplification in POFs through some experimental data and a computational model capable of carrying out both power and spectral analyses. We investigate the emission spectral shifts and widths and on the optimum signal wavelength and pump power as functions of the fiber length, the fiber numerical aperture and the radial distribution of the dopant. Analyses for both step-index and graded-index POFs have been done.

When it comes to measuring blade-tip clearance or blade-tip timing in turbines, reflective intensity-modulated optical fiber sensors overcome several traditional limitations of capacitive, inductive or discharging probe sensors. This paper presents the signals and results corresponding to the third stage of a multistage turbine rig, obtained from a transonic wind-tunnel test. The probe is based on a trifurcated bundle of optical fibers that is mounted on the turbine casing. To eliminate the influence of light source intensity variations and blade surface reflectivity, the sensing principle is based on the quotient of the voltages obtained from the two receiving bundle legs. A discrepancy lower than 3% with respect to a commercial sensor was observed in tip clearance measurements. Regarding tip timing measurements, the travel wave spectrum was obtained, which provides the average vibration amplitude for all blades at a particular nodal diameter. With this approach, both blade-tip timing and tip clearance measurements can be carried out simultaneously. The results obtained on the test turbine rig demonstrate the suitability and reliability of the type of sensor used, and suggest the possibility of performing these measurements in real turbines under real working conditions.

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Energy saving in telecommunications networks has become a well established topic in the research community. We look at the electrical and optical layers of IP-over-WDM networks, and present a list of evaluation criteria for the Energy-Aware Adaptive Routing Solutions (EA-ARSs) from the perspective of a network operator. Furthermore, we briefly explain the EA-ARSs originating from European Union's TREND, the FP7 Network of Excellence, show saving of energy consumed by Line Cards (LCs) on a reference scenario, and use the evaluation criteria to identify the next steps toward introduction of the EA-ARSs into real operation.

An energy efficiency comparison of conventional path protection schemes for fixed-grid WDM and flexible-grid OFDM-based networks has been carried out. The survivable elastic network with SP scheme was found to offer the best energy efficiency per GHz at any traffic load value.