From Fiber Layout to the Sensor: Preparation Methods as Key Factors for High-Quality Coupled-Core-Fiber Sensors

During recent years, the optical-fiber-based simultaneous sensing of strain and temperature has attracted increased interest for different applications, e.g., in medicine, architecture, and aerospace. Specialized fiber layouts further enlarge the field of applications at much lower costs and with ea...

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Main Authors: F. Lindner, J. Bierlich, M. Alonso-Murias, D. Maldonado-Hurtado, J. A. Flores-Bravo, S. Sales, J. Villatoro, K. Wondraczek
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-10-01
Series:Sensors
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/24/21/6999
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author F. Lindner
J. Bierlich
M. Alonso-Murias
D. Maldonado-Hurtado
J. A. Flores-Bravo
S. Sales
J. Villatoro
K. Wondraczek
author_facet F. Lindner
J. Bierlich
M. Alonso-Murias
D. Maldonado-Hurtado
J. A. Flores-Bravo
S. Sales
J. Villatoro
K. Wondraczek
author_sort F. Lindner
collection DOAJ
description During recent years, the optical-fiber-based simultaneous sensing of strain and temperature has attracted increased interest for different applications, e.g., in medicine, architecture, and aerospace. Specialized fiber layouts further enlarge the field of applications at much lower costs and with easier handling. Today, the performance of many sensors fabricated from conventional fibers suffers from cross-sensitivity (temperature and strain) and relatively high interrogation costs. In contrast, customized fiber architectures would make it possible to circumvent such sensor drawbacks. Here, we report on the development of a high-quality coupled-core fiber and its performance for sensors—from the initial fiber layout via elaboration of the preform and fiber up to the sensor evaluation. A compact, high-speed, and cost-effective interrogation unit using such a specialized coupled-core fiber has been designed to monitor reflectivity changes while even being able to distinguish the direction of the force or impact. Several fiber core material techniques and approaches were investigated, which made it possible to obtain a sufficient volume of material for the required fiber core number and a specialized fiber core geometry in terms of core distances and radial refractive index profile, whilst handling the non-symmetrical fiber architectures of such modeled, complex structures and balancing resources and efforts.
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spelling doaj-art-06bb9cf527e24f79a2fbd0da493dbf4b2025-08-20T02:49:49ZengMDPI AGSensors1424-82202024-10-012421699910.3390/s24216999From Fiber Layout to the Sensor: Preparation Methods as Key Factors for High-Quality Coupled-Core-Fiber SensorsF. Lindner0J. Bierlich1M. Alonso-Murias2D. Maldonado-Hurtado3J. A. Flores-Bravo4S. Sales5J. Villatoro6K. Wondraczek7Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology (Leibniz IPHT), 07745 Jena, GermanyLeibniz Institute of Photonic Technology (Leibniz IPHT), 07745 Jena, GermanyCentro de Investigaciones en Óptica A.C., Loma del Bosque 115, León de los Aldama 37150, MexicoPhotonics Research Labs, ITEAM Research Institute, Universitat Politècnica de València, 46022 València, SpainDepartment of Communications Engineering, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48013 Bilbao, SpainPhotonics Research Labs, ITEAM Research Institute, Universitat Politècnica de València, 46022 València, SpainDepartment of Communications Engineering, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48013 Bilbao, SpainLeibniz Institute of Photonic Technology (Leibniz IPHT), 07745 Jena, GermanyDuring recent years, the optical-fiber-based simultaneous sensing of strain and temperature has attracted increased interest for different applications, e.g., in medicine, architecture, and aerospace. Specialized fiber layouts further enlarge the field of applications at much lower costs and with easier handling. Today, the performance of many sensors fabricated from conventional fibers suffers from cross-sensitivity (temperature and strain) and relatively high interrogation costs. In contrast, customized fiber architectures would make it possible to circumvent such sensor drawbacks. Here, we report on the development of a high-quality coupled-core fiber and its performance for sensors—from the initial fiber layout via elaboration of the preform and fiber up to the sensor evaluation. A compact, high-speed, and cost-effective interrogation unit using such a specialized coupled-core fiber has been designed to monitor reflectivity changes while even being able to distinguish the direction of the force or impact. Several fiber core material techniques and approaches were investigated, which made it possible to obtain a sufficient volume of material for the required fiber core number and a specialized fiber core geometry in terms of core distances and radial refractive index profile, whilst handling the non-symmetrical fiber architectures of such modeled, complex structures and balancing resources and efforts.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/24/21/6999coupled core fiberdoped silica glassMCVDREPUSILfiber preparationoptical fiber sensors
spellingShingle F. Lindner
J. Bierlich
M. Alonso-Murias
D. Maldonado-Hurtado
J. A. Flores-Bravo
S. Sales
J. Villatoro
K. Wondraczek
From Fiber Layout to the Sensor: Preparation Methods as Key Factors for High-Quality Coupled-Core-Fiber Sensors
Sensors
coupled core fiber
doped silica glass
MCVD
REPUSIL
fiber preparation
optical fiber sensors
title From Fiber Layout to the Sensor: Preparation Methods as Key Factors for High-Quality Coupled-Core-Fiber Sensors
title_full From Fiber Layout to the Sensor: Preparation Methods as Key Factors for High-Quality Coupled-Core-Fiber Sensors
title_fullStr From Fiber Layout to the Sensor: Preparation Methods as Key Factors for High-Quality Coupled-Core-Fiber Sensors
title_full_unstemmed From Fiber Layout to the Sensor: Preparation Methods as Key Factors for High-Quality Coupled-Core-Fiber Sensors
title_short From Fiber Layout to the Sensor: Preparation Methods as Key Factors for High-Quality Coupled-Core-Fiber Sensors
title_sort from fiber layout to the sensor preparation methods as key factors for high quality coupled core fiber sensors
topic coupled core fiber
doped silica glass
MCVD
REPUSIL
fiber preparation
optical fiber sensors
url https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/24/21/6999
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