Long-distance fiber-optic point-sensing systems based on random fiber lasers

Abstract

We find that the random fiber laser (RFL) without point-reflectors is a temperature-insensitive distributed lasing system for the first time. Inspired by such thermal stability, we propose the novel concept of utilizing the RFL to achieve long-distance fiber-optic remote sensing, in which the RFL offers high-fidelity and long-distance transmission for the sensing signal. Two 100 km fiber Bragg grating (FBG) point-sensing schemes based on RFLs are experimentally demonstrated using the first-order and the second-order random lasing, respectively, to verify the concept. Each sensing scheme can achieve >20 dB optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) over 100 km distance. It is found that the second-order random lasing scheme has much better OSNR than that of the first-order random lasing scheme due to enhanced lasing efficiency, by incorporating a 1455 nm FBG into the lasing cavity.

Powerful narrow linewidth random fiber laser

“…Due to its unique features, RDFL has found a large variety of application potentials, such as telecom and remote sensing [19][20][21]. However, most of RDFLs have relatively broad spectra (several nanometers).…”

Output Characterization of Random Fiber Laser Formed by Dispersion Compensated Fiber

“…The work has triggered many experimental and theoretical studies on random fiber lasers (RFLs) [8]- [13]. Besides, lots of attentions have been paid to their potential applications in fiber-optic communication and sensing [14]- [16].…”

Multi-wavelength Switching Using Hybrid Plasmonic Add/drop Multiplexer

“…Conventionally, the multiwavelength switchable function of the fiber laser is determined by the characteristics of the comb filter. Recently, multiwavelength fiber lasers have been widely applied in optical measurement, coherent pulse synthesis, optical spectroscopy, dense wavelength division multiplexed (DWDM) fiber communication systems, fiber optic sensors, and microwave photonics systems [1][2][3][4]. Especially, the use of multiwavelength photonic and multiwavelength erbium-doped fiber lasers (EDFL) has been investigated widely due to their advantages [5][6][7].…”