chapter 1 - Bentham Science
chapter 1 - Bentham Science
chapter 1 - Bentham Science
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FOREWORD<br />
Optical fiber based sensor systems have fascinated the researcher and tantalized the application engineer for over<br />
forty years. The fascination lies within the countless ways through which the technically inclined optical scientist<br />
can cause light guided within an optical fiber to interact with the world outside and the myriad principles through<br />
which these modulation phenomena could be detected. The applications engineer finds the benefits which this<br />
approach offers to be many and intriguing. These include predominantly that the area or point which is to be<br />
measured needs no electrical contact and yet remains in intimate proximity to the parameter of interest. Add this to<br />
ideas like highly multiplexed all electrically passive networks, distributed sensing systems and interrogation ranges<br />
of 10 or more kilometers and a whole new spectrum of applications becomes possible.<br />
Of the multiple techniques which have been explored a few have emerged into reality. The fiber optic gyroscope<br />
now navigates spacecraft and the hydrophone array helps in mapping the seabed. Other techniques are exciting<br />
considerable interest and among these one of the principal contenders for extensive exploration is undoubtedly the<br />
Fiber Bragg grating – the subject of this book.<br />
The Bragg grating is intrinsically a simple device. A periodic structure is written into the core of an optical fiber and<br />
this periodic structure will reflect specific optical wave length dependent on the periodicity. Vary the periodicity,<br />
vary the wavelength. Since this period depends upon environmental temperature and externally applied strains and<br />
pressures we have the basis for a simple sensor which is easily and unambiguously interrogated. Furthermore long<br />
strings of these sensors each operating at a different wave length can be written into a single fiber giving an array<br />
technology linked through just a single fiber giving an array technology which can extend over kilometers.<br />
The basic concepts for the fiber grating go back more than twenty years from early exploratory work undertaken by<br />
Ken Hill and his colleagues in Canada. Since then the grating has attracted significant attention from scientists and<br />
application engineers alike and has demonstrated its applicability in areas ranging from monitoring large and<br />
complex highway bridges to measuring stresses in teeth.<br />
This book explores every nuance of this important sensing concept. The contributors are, without exception,<br />
internationally recognized experts in their field and present the diversity of techniques, applications and perceptions<br />
through which the potential offered by the Bragg grating can be appreciated. This ranges from basic fabrication<br />
processes through the design of the details of the grating structure itself into multiplexing techniques and<br />
technologies, the interrogating electro-optic system and the numerous interfaces into application. Market prospects<br />
and technology roadmaps also feature to complete the overall picture.<br />
The book promises to be an invaluable addition to the sensing engineer’s library and will provide essential<br />
background to stimulate the future prospects for this important and intriguing technology.<br />
i<br />
Brian Culshaw<br />
University of Strathclyde<br />
United Kingdom