Optical sensors for system monitoring and process control based on point-by-point fs-Laser-written Fiber-Bragg-Gratings (fs-FBG)

Inhalt:
Since decades fibre Bragg gratings (FBG) are widely used as optical temperature, acceleration and strain sensors to replace conventional Pt sensors or thermocouples and electric strain gauges in special and harsh environments. Especially for extended measuring applications with a large number of sensing points, the possibility of serial array configuration and multiplexing capability makes as well as their immunity against electromagnetic interference (EMI) the FBG sensors much easier to deploy, use and maintain. The first generation of fs point-by-point in-scribed FBGs has extended the application range to extreme temperatures and environments including hard radiation and Hydrogen rich atmospheres. So far the polarisation dependence and scattering losses of point-by-point fs-FBGs could be a drawback regarding achievable sensor resolution. Now our sister company FemtoFiberTec GmbH introduces the second generation of fs point-by-point FBGs, which additionally offering extreme measurement resolution due to nearly zero polarization dependence and highest flexibility in sensor arrangement and installation due to lowest scattering losses. Both types of fs-FBGs will be used to develop and assemble customized application-specific optical sensors provided by Loptek, which are successfully tested and implemented in different industrial applications.