Journal
IEEE SENSORS JOURNAL
Volume 21, Issue 2, Pages 2084-2091Publisher
IEEE-INST ELECTRICAL ELECTRONICS ENGINEERS INC
DOI: 10.1109/JSEN.2020.3017083
Keywords
Laser tuning; Optical fiber sensors; Temperature sensors; Fiber lasers; Demodulation; Q-point; VT-DBR laser; Fabry-Perot interferometer; acoustic sensing system
Funding
- National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) [61727816, 61520106013]
- Fundamental Research Funds for Central Universities [DUT18ZD215]
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A self-stabilizing Q-point system based on VT-DBR laser is proposed in this paper, which utilizes a large tuning range and fast wavelength switching capability to develop a stable EFPI sensor system. Experimental results show that this method effectively achieves Q-point stability within the temperature change range.
Drift of Quadrature operating point (Q-point) due to variations in ambient temperature restricts the demodulation accuracy of fiber-optic extrinsic Fabry-Perot interferometer (EFPI) sensors. To overcome this challenge, in this paper, we propose and demonstrate a self-stabilizing Q-point system based on Vernier-tuned distributed Bragg reflectors (VT-DBR) laser, the laser wavelength is locked to a point with the maximum slope on the interference spectrum of fiber-optic EFPI sensor. Taking advantage of large-tuning range (40nm) and fast wavelength switching capability (<20ns), we develop a robust EFPI acoustic sensor system with stable Q-point operation. When the EFPI sensor is subject to ambient temperature variations, we use an FPGA to implement the fast laser wavelength switching of the laser and automatic Q-point locking that ensure Q-point stability. The operating point drift from Q-point is obtained by dc voltage output changes. Experimental results indicate that stabilizing Q-point of the EFPI sensor is effectively realized during the temperature changes between 27-32 degrees C. Without the stabilization method, the deviation is up to 85.5% of dc voltage output at operating point from Q-point value. With the stabilization method, the deviation is less than 0.68%. This self-stabilizing Q-point method based on VT-DBR laser has a strong ability to resist ambient temperature variations, and provides a novel solution to Q-point drift of fiber-optic EFPI sensors.
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