Analysis of a distributed fiber-optic temperature sensor using single-photon detectors

Dyer, S.D., Tanner, M.G., Baek, B., Hadfield, R. and Nam, S.W. (2012) Analysis of a distributed fiber-optic temperature sensor using single-photon detectors. Optics Express, 20(4), p. 3456. (doi: 10.1364/OE.20.003456)

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Abstract

We demonstrate a high-accuracy distributed fiber-optic temperature sensor using superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors and single-photon counting techniques. Our demonstration uses inexpensive single-mode fiber at standard telecommunications wavelengths as the sensing fiber, which enables extremely low-loss experiments and compatibility with existing fiber networks. We show that the uncertainty of the temperature measurement decreases with longer integration periods, but is ultimately limited by the calibration uncertainty. Temperature uncertainty on the order of 3 K is possible with spatial resolution of the order of 1 cm and integration period as small as 60 seconds. Also, we show that the measurement is subject to systematic uncertainties, such as polarization fading, which can be reduced with a polarization diversity receiver.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Hadfield, Professor Robert and Tanner, Dr Michael
Authors: Dyer, S.D., Tanner, M.G., Baek, B., Hadfield, R., and Nam, S.W.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Electronics and Nanoscale Engineering
Journal Name:Optics Express
Publisher:Optical Society of America
ISSN:1094-4087
Published Online:01 January 2012
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2012 Optical Society of America
First Published:First published in Optics Express 20(4):3456
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher

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