We demonstrate (and are the first to do so) 63 km Brillouin Optical Frequency-Domain Analysis (BOFDA) for temperature and strain monitoring using a 100 km fiber loop. The use of BOFDA for long-range ...applications can be considered a novel approach, as previous investigations focused on the utilization of Brillouin Optical Time-Domain Reflectometry and Analysis (BOTDR and BOTDA, respectively). At 51.7 km, a 100 m hotspot (37 ∘ C) was detected without using distributed Raman amplification or image processing.
We present, to our knowledge for the first time, a 100-km Brillouin Optical Frequency-Domain Analysis (BOFDA) employing a 200-km fiber loop. Compared to our previous publication, enhanced sensor ...length, sensor accuracy and spatial resolution are presented. The performance improvements are achieved by applying distributed Raman amplification (DRA) and a digital high-pass filter. We report on temperature measurements over sensing distances of 75 km and 100 km both with a 12.5-m spatial resolution. Temperature changes of 5 ° C have been measured along 75 km sensing fiber. A temperature change of 30 ° C has been detected at 99.5 km.
In this paper perfluorinated graded-index polymer optical fibers are characterized with respect to the influence of relative humidity changes on spectral transmission absorption and Rayleigh ...backscattering. The hygroscopic and thermal expansion coefficient of the fiber are determined to be C H E = (7.4 ± 0.1) · 10 - 6 %r.h.
and C T E = (22.7 ± 0.3) · 10 - 6 K
, respectively. The influence of humidity on the Brillouin backscattering power and linewidth are presented for the first time to our knowledge. The Brillouin backscattering power at a pump wavelength of 1319 nm is affected by temperature and humidity. The Brillouin linewidth is observed to be a function of temperature but not of humidity. The strain coefficient of the BFS is determined to be C S = (-146.5 ± 0.9) MHz/% for a wavelength of 1319 nm within a strain range from 0.1% to 1.5%. The obtained results demonstrate that the humidity-induced Brillouin frequency shift is predominantly caused by the swelling of the fiber over-cladding that leads to fiber straining.
We report, to our knowledge, for the first time on humidity-induced Brillouin frequency shifts in perfluorinated graded index polymer optical fibers. A linear relation between Brillouin frequency ...shift and humidity was observed. Furthermore, the humidity coefficient of the Brillouin frequency shift is demonstrated to be a function of temperature (-107 to -64 kHz/%r.h. or -426 to -49 kHz m
/g in the range of 20 to 60 °C). An analytical description proves temperature and humidity as two mutually independent effects on the Brillouin frequency shift.
•Two-dimensional optical beam-steering of a band-edge liquid crystal laser.•No variation in wavelength; minimal impact on the intensity.•Liquid-crystal-polymer-based configuration and dynamic ...electrical control.•Demonstration of simulating imperfections in the polarisation grating structure.
In this paper, we demonstrate dynamic optical beam-steering of a band-edge chiral nematic liquid crystal (LC) laser that does not involve any change in the configuration of the helical structure. This beam-steering is achieved by exploiting the circular polarisation of the LC laser in combination with tuneable nematic LC phase shifters and fixed polarisation gratings. Experimental results are presented, showing the optical steering of the LC laser emission to four separate discrete spatial positions and, using simulations based on Jones calculus, we explain the appearance and relative intensities of other minor spots that appear around the primary beam. Compared with other approaches of beam-steering an LC laser, this method does not result in an alteration of the laser wavelength, does not change the internal cavity structure of the laser, and has a minimal impact on the intensity of the laser emission. In addition, the whole system (except for the solid-state pump source) is comprised of thin films that are either liquid crystalline or polymers, which provides a tangible route towards a more compact and integrated optically steerable LC laser.
In this letter, we present a non-mechanical 2D beam-steering system suitable for optical wireless communication. Steering is achieved using polarization gratings combined with nematic liquid crystal ...cells operating as voltage-controlled polarization shifters. These steering elements are combined with a holographic diffuser matched to the discrete steering angles of the polarization grating, enabling continuous angular coverage. Beam-steering is also used at the receiver, allowing a large collection area receiver with a relatively narrow field of view to be used. The approach presented here could, in principle, be applied to a broad range of wavelengths (including visible light and near-infrared wavelengths). Furthermore, the technique does not inherently limit the transmission data rate. Besides, it improves the link margin and offers the potential for a bidirectional steered link using the same beam-steering elements. Details of the approach are set out in the letter, followed by experimental results from a 50 Mbit/s optical link operating over one meter. Future directions are then discussed.
In this paper a fibre free-space fibre link that allows a quantum key distribution (QKD) signal and high-speed data to be transmitted in a single optical beam is presented. This setup has the ...potential to provide ultra-high data rate secure wireless connectivity within indoor spaces. Both quantum and classical channels were transmitted using wavelengths in the C band, over a range of 2.5 m in free space and in the presence of a 200 lx background illumination. Raman noise caused by the light propagating in the optical fibres which provide connections to the free-space segment, together with geometric loss of the free-space link are the major impairments. Results yield secret key rates of 2.343 kbit/s when the QKD signal is sent without high-speed data (and associated Raman noise), and rates of 1.305 - 1.996 kbit/s when high-speed data is also transmitted (depending on spectral separation of QKD and classical information). Further, it is shown that the secret key rate can be optimised by increasing loss to attenuate the Raman noise by misalignment of the link. Improvement of the secret key rate from 1.305 kbit/s to 1.887 kbit/s was shown using this method.
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