5154 - Optical Fiber Sensors

Course Description

Introduction of basic concepts and definitions in measurement science. Principles of single point sensors including intensity-based, fiber Bragg gratings, gyroscopic and interferometric fiber devices. Time and wavelength division sensor multiplexing techniques. Distributed fiber sensors based on Rayleigh scattering and other optical nonlinearities.

Why take this course?

Optical fiber sensor technology is becoming mature rapidly after several decades of laboratory research and small scale industrial applications. Its applications in numerous industries are picking up at unprecedented pace. Virginia Tech has been a world leader in the research and development of fiber sensors. This course offers students an opportunity to systematically learn the field. The knowledge learned supports future research and career development.

Learning Objectives

•  Determine bandwidth, resolution, precision and accuracy for a group of measurement data.
• Acquire the knowledge about the principles and design configurations of typical intensity-based, fiber Bragg gratings, polarimetric fiber sensors and interferometric fiber devices.
• Design the multiplexing of single point sensors in one system.
• Analyze Rayleigh and nonlinear optical scattering in fiber.
• Evaluate the performance of distributed fiber optic sensors.
• Apply the principles, methods and techniques learned in this course to develop a sensor system design for a given measurement need.