Optical fiber random grating-based multiparameter sensor

A novel multiparameter fiber-optic sensor based on a femtosecond laser micromachined random grating is proposed and demonstrated to realize simultaneous measurement of temperature, axial strain, and surrounding refractive index. A wavelength-division spectral cross-correlation algorithm is adopted to extract the phase variation induced spectral shift responding to different external disturbances. Sensitivities of 10.32 pm/degrees C, 1.24 pm/mu epsilon, and -1520.6 pm/RIU were achieved for temperature, axial strain, and surrounding refractive index, respectively. The fiber random grating without phase mask fabrication and high physical strength is an excellent alternative aiming at simple and compact multifunctional fiber sensors. (C) 2015 Optical Society of America