Design of distributed Brillouin scattering sensor system for structural health monitoring

Abstract

A fiber optic sensor system based on stimulated Brillouin scattering is realized to measure the strain distribution along the fiber itself as a sensing medium. Prototypes of the system are advanced from the partly integrated system to reinforced cooling system with fully integrated following the schematic diagram which improves the stability of the optical power with polarization maintaining fiber components. Single lock-in detection using optical chopper is used to achieve the high signal to noise ratio. Optical components are separated with optical logger to isolate the heats from electronic components such as electric power, lock-in amplifier, DAQ and lots of controllers. Electronic logger is designed with air cooling system. 3D design of optical and electronic logger is drafted.