Ratiometric Temperature Sensing Using Highly Coupled Seven-Core Fibers

Abstract

In this paper, a ratiometric approach to sensing temperature variations is shown using specialty fiber optic devices. We analyzed the transmission response of cascaded segments of multicore fibers (MCFs), and dissimilar lengths were found to generate an adequate scheme for ratiometric operation. The perturbation of optical parameters in the MCFs translates to a rich spectral behavior in which some peaks increase their intensity while others decrease their intensity. Thus, by selecting opposite-behavior peaks, highly sensitive ratiometric measurements that provide robustness against spurious fluctuations can be performed. We implemented this approach using seven-core fiber (SCF) segments of 5.8 cm and 9.9 cm. To test the system’s response under controlled perturbations, we heated one of the segments from ambient temperature up to 150 °C. We observed defined peaks with opposite behavior as a function of temperature. Two pairs of peaks within the interrogation window were selected to perform ratiometric calculations. Ratiometric measurements exhibited sensitivities 6–14 times higher than single-wavelength measurements. A similar trend with enhanced sensitivity in both peak pairs was obtained. In contrast to conventional interferometric schemes, the proposed approach does not require expensive facilities or micrometric-resolution equipment. Moreover, our approach has the potential to be realized using commercial splicers, detectors, and filters.

Highly Coupled Seven-Core Fiber for Ratiometric Anti-Phase Sensing

“…Recently, we reported a ratiometric temperature sensor based on two sections of highly coupled multicore fibers (MCFs) [ 35 ]. The designed sensor reported in [ 35 ] relied on the spectral features of the MCFs, which means that no fluorophore was required.…”

“…Recently, we reported a ratiometric temperature sensor based on two sections of highly coupled multicore fibers (MCFs) [ 35 ]. The designed sensor reported in [ 35 ] relied on the spectral features of the MCFs, which means that no fluorophore was required. Briefly, the sensor’s spectral response is a function of the MCF geometry, MCF fiber lengths, and thermo-optic coefficient of the sensor materials [ 36 ].…”

“…Although optical fiber and fiber devices are inexpensive, the combined costs of an SC light source and an OSA exceed USD 45k, clearly preventing further applications. With that in mind, and in contrast to the approach reported in [ 35 ], we have designed, simulated, constructed, and tested an MCF-based ratiometric temperature sensor implemented with a commercially available and inexpensive light source and optical detectors. By connecting an NIR laser diode to two MCF sections in parallel and carefully selecting the spectral response of individual MCF sections, we obtained ratiometric operation from the voltage registered in two optical detectors.…”