Strain and temperature characteristics of Brillouin spectra in optical fibers for distributed sensing techniques

Abstract

Brillouin spectra along optical fibers were measured as a function of strain and temperature using an optical coherent detection method. The characteristics are promising as regards improving distributed strain and temperature measurement using Brillouin spectroscopy. We have presented the possibility of simultaneous distributed strain and temperature measurement along optical fibers, by evaluating the dependence of the spontaneous Brillouin frequency shift and Brillouin power on strain and temperature, which we measured using the optical coherent detection method. This means we will be able to develop a high performance OTDR for measuring strain, temperature and optical loss distribution along optical fibers.