Distributed measurement of fluid pressure via optical-fibre backscatter polarimetry

Abstract

The paper describes a new method for the distributed measurement of isotropic pressure acting on an optical fibre. The method utilises backscatter polarimetry to measure the distribution of linear birefringence in a monomode side-hole fibre. The measurement is made with a spatial resolution ~1metre, in a time ~1 minute. The technique can be applied to the distributed measurement of fluid pressure, and is expected to have valuable application in the oil and gas industries. Extensions of the technique also will allow measurement of transverse and twist strains in extended structures.