A novel, high-resolution, high-speed fiber-optic temperature sensor for oceanographic applications

Weilin Hou, Guigen Liu, Ming Han

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

14 Scopus citations

Abstract

A novel fiber-optic thermometer based on a thick silicon Fabry-Pérot interferometer (FPI) realized on the tip of a cleaved single-mode fiber has been designed and implemented, in order to achieve high resolution and high sampling rate necessary for studying underwater turbulent microstructures. The choice of silicon for its large thermal-optic coefficient and thermal expansion coefficient enables a high sensitivity of 84 pm/°C. A new data processing method, using average wavelength tracking, is proposed to reduce the wavelength noise. The high sensitivity along with the low wavelength noise results in a temperature resolution as high as 0.0009 °C. Furthermore, the good thermal conductivity of silicon endows the proposed sensor with a response time ~ 2 ms, which allows a sampling frequency of 500 Hz. By further optimizing the sensor structure, e.g. size of the silicon FPI, a better temperature resolution and quicker response can be expected. This novel temperature sensor significantly augments underwater sensing capabilities, especially those related to microstructure turbulence mixing process in the ocean. A preliminary experimental demonstration is presented, where the sensor was used to measure the highly dynamic temperature variations induced by a sharp thermo-gradient underwater.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication2015 IEEE/OES 11th Current, Waves and Turbulence Measurement, CWTM 2015
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
ISBN (Electronic)9781479984190
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 29 2015
Event2015 11th IEEE/OES Current, Waves and Turbulence Measurement, CWTM 2015 - St. Petersburg, United States
Duration: Mar 2 2015Mar 6 2015

Publication series

Name2015 IEEE/OES 11th Current, Waves and Turbulence Measurement, CWTM 2015

Other

Other2015 11th IEEE/OES Current, Waves and Turbulence Measurement, CWTM 2015
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySt. Petersburg
Period3/2/153/6/15

Keywords

  • Fabry-Pérot interferometer
  • Fiber-optic thermometer
  • ocean microstructure
  • turbulence

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oceanography
  • Instrumentation

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