Strain sensing based on strain to radio-frequency conversion of optical frequency comb

Abstract

We propose an optical frequency comb (OFC)-based strain sensing method, namely OFC sensing cavity, which is capable of radio-frequency (RF)-based strain measurement. We developed a null-method-based strain sensing system with a comb-spacing-stabilized OFC generator. We realized strain measurement from 1.83 µε to 1800 µε with a sensing fiber length of 20 mm. The measurable strain frequency range of the developed strain sensing system was from 0 to 310 Hz. Owing to the use of RF-based strain measurement, our approach would be a useful and powerful tool for sensing of strain or other physical quantities, and the concept of the OFC sensing cavity is a new aspect of OFC technology.