Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01D—MEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE; ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEASURING TWO OR MORE VARIABLES NOT COVERED IN A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS; TARIFF METERING APPARATUS; MEASURING OR TESTING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • G01D5/00—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable
  • G01D5/26—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light
  • G01D5/32—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light with attenuation or whole or partial obturation of beams of light
  • G01D5/34—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light with attenuation or whole or partial obturation of beams of light the beams of light being detected by photocells
  • G01D5/353—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light with attenuation or whole or partial obturation of beams of light the beams of light being detected by photocells influencing the transmission properties of an optical fibre
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01D—MEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE; ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEASURING TWO OR MORE VARIABLES NOT COVERED IN A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS; TARIFF METERING APPARATUS; MEASURING OR TESTING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • G01D5/00—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable
  • G01D5/26—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light
  • G01D5/32—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light with attenuation or whole or partial obturation of beams of light
  • G01D5/34—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light with attenuation or whole or partial obturation of beams of light the beams of light being detected by photocells
  • G01D5/353—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light with attenuation or whole or partial obturation of beams of light the beams of light being detected by photocells influencing the transmission properties of an optical fibre
  • G01D5/35303—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light with attenuation or whole or partial obturation of beams of light the beams of light being detected by photocells influencing the transmission properties of an optical fibre using a reference fibre, e.g. interferometric devices
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01D—MEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE; ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEASURING TWO OR MORE VARIABLES NOT COVERED IN A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS; TARIFF METERING APPARATUS; MEASURING OR TESTING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • G01D5/00—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable
  • G01D5/26—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light
  • G01D5/32—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light with attenuation or whole or partial obturation of beams of light
  • G01D5/34—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light with attenuation or whole or partial obturation of beams of light the beams of light being detected by photocells
  • G01D5/353—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light with attenuation or whole or partial obturation of beams of light the beams of light being detected by photocells influencing the transmission properties of an optical fibre
  • G01D5/35306—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light with attenuation or whole or partial obturation of beams of light the beams of light being detected by photocells influencing the transmission properties of an optical fibre using an interferometer arrangement
  • G01D5/35309—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light with attenuation or whole or partial obturation of beams of light the beams of light being detected by photocells influencing the transmission properties of an optical fibre using an interferometer arrangement using multiple waves interferometer
  • G01D5/35316—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light with attenuation or whole or partial obturation of beams of light the beams of light being detected by photocells influencing the transmission properties of an optical fibre using an interferometer arrangement using multiple waves interferometer using a Bragg gratings
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01D—MEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE; ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEASURING TWO OR MORE VARIABLES NOT COVERED IN A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS; TARIFF METERING APPARATUS; MEASURING OR TESTING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • G01D5/00—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable
  • G01D5/26—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light
  • G01D5/32—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light with attenuation or whole or partial obturation of beams of light
  • G01D5/34—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light with attenuation or whole or partial obturation of beams of light the beams of light being detected by photocells
  • G01D5/353—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light with attenuation or whole or partial obturation of beams of light the beams of light being detected by photocells influencing the transmission properties of an optical fibre
  • G01D5/35338—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light with attenuation or whole or partial obturation of beams of light the beams of light being detected by photocells influencing the transmission properties of an optical fibre using other arrangements than interferometer arrangements
  • G01D5/35354—Sensor working in reflection
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01J—MEASUREMENT OF INTENSITY, VELOCITY, SPECTRAL CONTENT, POLARISATION, PHASE OR PULSE CHARACTERISTICS OF INFRARED, VISIBLE OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT; COLORIMETRY; RADIATION PYROMETRY
  • G01J3/00—Spectrometry; Spectrophotometry; Monochromators; Measuring colours
  • G01J3/12—Generating the spectrum; Monochromators
  • G01J3/18—Generating the spectrum; Monochromators using diffraction elements, e.g. grating
  • G01J3/1895—Generating the spectrum; Monochromators using diffraction elements, e.g. grating using fiber Bragg gratings or gratings integrated in a waveguide
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01J—MEASUREMENT OF INTENSITY, VELOCITY, SPECTRAL CONTENT, POLARISATION, PHASE OR PULSE CHARACTERISTICS OF INFRARED, VISIBLE OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT; COLORIMETRY; RADIATION PYROMETRY
  • G01J3/00—Spectrometry; Spectrophotometry; Monochromators; Measuring colours
  • G01J3/28—Investigating the spectrum
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01J—MEASUREMENT OF INTENSITY, VELOCITY, SPECTRAL CONTENT, POLARISATION, PHASE OR PULSE CHARACTERISTICS OF INFRARED, VISIBLE OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT; COLORIMETRY; RADIATION PYROMETRY
  • G01J3/00—Spectrometry; Spectrophotometry; Monochromators; Measuring colours
  • G01J3/28—Investigating the spectrum
  • G01J3/42—Absorption spectrometry; Double beam spectrometry; Flicker spectrometry; Reflection spectrometry
  • G01J3/433—Modulation spectrometry; Derivative spectrometry

Definitions

• the present invention relates generally to environmental monitoring systems and methods that employ optical sensors such as Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBGs) whose Bragg wavelength ( ⁇ B ) varies as a function of the environmental effects being monitored.
• optical sensors such as Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBGs) whose Bragg wavelength ( ⁇ B ) varies as a function of the environmental effects being monitored.
• FBGs Fiber Bragg Gratings
• a number of optical sensors including respond to environmental changes by varying a property of an incident radiation. Some example properties that can be varies are transmittance, reflectance, absorbance or polarization of the incident radiation. As a result, systems for monitoring environmental effects using optical sensors such as Fabry-Peron elements and, even more so, Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBGs) have received considerable attention.
• broadband light sources and tunable detectors incurs a number of disadvantages.
• broadband sources intrinsically cover a wide emission spectrum they tend to consume a lot of energy.
• Second, such sources are unable to provide high radiation intensities within the narrow wavelength windows to which the Bragg wavelengths are confined.
• tunable filters tend to have wide and difficult to control passbands. Thus, they are not well suited for precisely monitoring Bragg wavelengths that are very narrow band. This situation is aggravated in cases where the Bragg wavelengths shift quickly and/or by small amounts due to correspondingly rapid or small variations of the environmental factors.
• systems using broadband sources tend to be complex and expensive.
• U.S. Pat. No. 5,401,956 to Dunphy et al teaches a diagnostic system for fiber grating sensor using tunable light sources .
• the system scans the light sources across a predetermined wavelength range and illuminates each sensor. This system can operate in a transmission or reflection mode.
• U.S. Pat. No. 6,204,920 to Ellerbrock et al . entitled Optical Fiber Sensor System teaches the use of one tunable light source, e.g., an LED and a tunable etalon, for delivering light to all sensors. Still more recently, U.S. Pat. No. 6,417,507 to Malvern et al .
• Modulated Fibre Bragg Grating Strain Gauge Assembly for Absolute Gauging of Strain discloses the use of tunable light sources and frequency modulation to determine absolute direction and magnitude of strain from a ratio of reflected intensity values lf:2f, where f is the modulation frequency.
• This invention provides an apparatus for determining a physical parameter affecting an optical sensor or a number of sensors in a network.
• the apparatus has a source for emitting a radiation having a narrow linewidth at an emission wavelength ⁇ e and an arrangement for varying the emission wavelength ⁇ e .
• An optical path is provided for guiding the radiation to the optical sensor and for guiding a response radiation from the optical sensor.
• the apparatus has a detector for generating a response signal to the response radiation and an analysis module for fitting the response signal. More specifically, the analysis module determines the physical parameter from a fitting of the response signal rather than directly from the response signal. More precisely still, the analysis module performs curve fitting for fitting a best fit curve to the response signal and determines the physical parameter from the best fit curve.
• the apparatus uses a narrow linewidth laser as the source of radiation.
• the source can be a tunable laser such as an External Cavity Diode laser (ECDL) , a Distributed Bragg Reflector laser, a fiber laser or other tunable narrow linewidth laser.
• ECDL External Cavity Diode laser
• a Distributed Bragg Reflector laser a fiber laser or other tunable narrow linewidth laser.
• the apparatus is further equipped with a tap, e.g., a directional coupler, a y-junction a beam splitter or some other suitable device for tapping the radiation.
• the tapped radiation is delivered to a wavelength meter for monitoring the emission wavelength ⁇ e .
• the wavelength meter be connected to the apparatus that varies emission wavelength ⁇ e for purposes of providing feedback.
• the apparatus that varies the emission wavelength ⁇ e can be a laser tuner that exercises control over the laser by varying a parameter such as current, temperature or any other suitable parameter or their combination.
• the laser tuner has a scanner for scanning the emission wavelength ⁇ e or a sweeper for sweeping the emission wavelength ⁇ e .
• the optical sensor is a Bragg grating such as a Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) .
• FBG Fiber Bragg Grating
• optical sensors such as Fabry-Perot cavities are used.
• a part of the optical path is preferably formed in an optical fiber.
• the FBG defines a Bragg wavelength ⁇ B in accordance with the Bragg condition and reflects radiation when it equals the Bragg wavelength ⁇ B . In other words, reflected radiation is at the Bragg wavelength ⁇ B .
• the invention provides a method for determining a physical parameter, e.g., an environmental effect such as temperature, strain and pressure by employing an optical sensor that is affected by the physical parameter.
• the optical sensor responds to incident radiation by varying a property of the response radiation.
• the property being varied can be any one or any combination of the following: transmittance, reflectance, absorbance and polarization.
• an optical sensor e.g., a Fiber Bragg Grating or a Fabry-Perot element
• a radiation emitted within a narrow linewidth at an emission wavelength ⁇ e propagates along the optical path to the sensor to produce a response radiation.
• the emission wavelength ⁇ e is varied and a response signal is generated from the response radiation.
• the physical parameter is determined from a fitting of the response signal.
• the fitting preferably comprises a best curve fit and can employ an analysis method selected from among peak detection, Full Width Half Maximum (FWHM) determination and centroid detection.
• the fitting can use a fit selected from the group of polynomial fits, Lorentzian fits and Gaussian fits.
• the emission wavelength ⁇ e is varied continuously, e.g., it is swept. In other embodiments the emission wavelength ⁇ e is varied discontinuously in accordance with a pattern, e.g., a scan pattern.
• a pattern e.g., a scan pattern.
• Fig. 1 is a diagram of an apparatus according to the invention .
• Fig. 2A is a graph illustrating an intensity variation detected by the detector of Fig. 1 during a scan.
• Fig. 2B is a diagram illustrating a step in the analysis of a response signal.
• Fig. 2C is a diagram illustrating a number of analysis methods applied to the response signal of Fig. 2B.
• Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating the fitting of the reflected signal with a best fit curve.
• Fig. 4 are graphs of the response signal at four different Bragg wavelengths.
• Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of an apparatus 10 for determining a physical parameter 12 as envisioned by the present invention.
• Apparatus 10 has a source 14 for emitting a radiation 16.
• Source 14 emits radiation 16 that spans a narrow linewidth and has a high spectral density.
• radiation 16 has a very well-defined emission wavelength ⁇ e and high output power.
• source 14 is selected such that the linewidth is narrow enough to not include wavelengths even a few hundredths of a nanometer different from emission wavelength ⁇ e .
• tunable laser sources such as External Cavity Diode lasers (ECDLs) , Distributed Bragg Reflector lasers, Fiber lasers and other tunable laser sources that can perform wavelength sweeps very rapidly while preserving steady, narrow linewidth emission.
• source 14 is a low-noise ECDL with 1 dBm of output power and low amplified stimulated emission (ASE) , e.g., 70 dB lower than the carrier.
• ASE amplified stimulated emission
• Apparatus 10 has an arrangement 18 for varying emission wavelength ⁇ e of ECDL 14.
• Arrangement 18 has a laser tuner 20 and a control mechanism 22 such as a drive current source.
• control mechanisms 22 including temperature control mechanisms can be used.
• drive current source 22 for rapid variation of emission wavelength ⁇ e it is preferable to use drive current source 22.
• Laser tuner 20 controls current source 22 to vary emission wavelength ⁇ e in a predetermined pattern that is either continuous or discontinuous.
• laser tuner 20 can be a scanner to produce a scan of wavelength ⁇ e in predetermined portions of the spectrum, or a sweeper for producing a sweep of wavelength ⁇ e across a predetermined wavelength range ⁇ .
• laser tuner 20 is a sweeper capable of producing a sweep rate of 100 nm/s and higher.
• ECDL 14 has a lens 24 for in-coupling radiation 16 into a waveguide 26.
• Waveguide 26 is a first waveguide in a network 34 having waveguides 26, 28, 30, 32 for guiding radiation 16.
• Waveguides 26, 28, 30, 32 define an optical path for guiding radiation 16, but in general any suitable optical elements including mirrors, lenses, prisms and diffraction gratings can be used for this purpose and the medium of the optical path can be free space rather than a waveguide. In many embodiments, however, it is preferable to use waveguides such as optical fibers, e.g., single mode or multi-mode optical fibers.
• waveguides 26, 28, 30 and 32 are optical fibers.
• Fiber 28 branches off from fiber 26 at a tap or junction 36.
• Junction 36 is a directional coupler, but it could also be any suitable type of splitter including a y-junction. Junction 36 taps a fraction 38 of radiation 16 for monitoring a characteristic of radiation 16. In the present embodiment this characteristic is wavelength and fiber 28 is connected to a wavelength meter 40 for monitoring emission wavelength ⁇ e of radiation 16. More precisely, since laser tuner 20 is a sweeper, wavelength meter 40 is a sweep meter for monitoring the sweep of emission wavelength ⁇ e across wavelength range ⁇ . Sweep meter 40 is connected to sweeper 20 to provide feedback, e.g., for adjusting the sweep. Preferably sweep meter 40 is a very accurate swept wavelength meter or a dynamic swept wavelength device that preserves its accuracy during the sweep in contrast to wavelength reference devices that perform only in "step and measure" situations.
• a routing element 42 connects fibers 26, 30 and 32 such that radiation 16 propagates from fiber 26 to fiber 30, and any radiation returning from fiber 30 is guided to fiber 32.
• element 42 is a circulator.
• Other elements, including directional couplers can be used to achieve such guiding of radiation 16.
• Apparatus 10 has a number of optical sensors 44A, 44B, ..., 44N for producing a response radiation 46 when illuminated with radiation 16.
• sensors 44A, 44B, ..., 44N each vary a property of radiation 16 as a function of physical parameters 12.
• the property of radiation 16 that can be varied can be transmittance, reflectance, absorbance or polarization.
• Sensors 44A, 44B, ..., 44N that can vary these properties of radiation 16 include, among other, Fabry-Perot elements, etalons and Bragg gratings .
• sensors 44A, 44B, ..., 44N are Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBGs) and the property that is varied is their narrowband reflectance.
• FBGs Fiber Bragg Gratings
• pitch A and effective index n are very sensitive to changes in physical parameters 12, FBGs 44A, 44B, ..., 44N are effective in monitoring them. Specifically, physical parameters 12 such as pressure p, strain ⁇ and temperature t affect FBGs 44A, 44B, ..., 44N by altering pitch A and/or effective index n.
• Reflected radiation 46 contains wavelengths ⁇ ⁇ , ⁇ 2 , ..., ⁇ n corresponding to Bragg wavelengths ⁇ B of FBGs 44A, 44B, ..., 44N as altered by physical parameters 12. All reflected radiation 46 is guided to fiber 32 by circulator 42.
• a detector 48 is connected to fiber 32 for detecting reflected radiation 46 and generating a corresponding response signal 50.
• An analysis module 52 in communication with detector 48 receives response signal 50 for fitting and determining one or more physical parameters 12 from the fitted response signal 50.
• detector 48 is a photodetector .
• Module 52 of detector 48 uses an algorithm that performs an analysis and curve fitting.
• the objective of module 52 is to generate a best curve fit to or of response signal 50.
• analysis module 52 has a curve fitting module for fitting a best fit curve to response signal 50.
• the analysis can include an analysis method such as peak detection, Full Width Half
• the curve fitting can be a fit such as a polynomial fit, a Lorentzian fit or a Gaussian fit.
• a computer 56 and a display 58 are connected to analysis module 52 for displaying the results, i.e., the values of physical parameters 12 determined by fitting response signals 50 obtained from radiation 46 reflected by FBGs 44A, 44B, ..., 44N.
• network 34 is distributed such that FBGs 44A, 44B, ..., 44N are placed at locations where physical parameters 12 are to be monitored.
• fiber 30 is placed in a building structure such that successive FBGs 44A, 44B, ..., 44N measure a strain ⁇ at different locations in the building structure.
• fiber 30 is placed on an airplane wing such that successive FBGs 44A, 44B, ..., 44N measure stresses and strains experienced by the wing.
• fiber 30 is placed in an environment that experiences local temperature changes such that successive FBGs 44A, 44B, ..., 44N measure these temperature changes .
• ECDL 14 emits narrow linewidth radiation 16 at emission wavelength ⁇ e into fiber 26.
• Sweeper 20 controls control mechanism 22 such that emission wavelength ⁇ e is swept over a wavelength range ⁇ at a high rate, e.g., 100 nm/s or faster.
• Fraction 38 of radiation 16 tapped with the aid of tap 36 is delivered to sweep meter 40. Measurement of this fraction by sweep meter 40 is fed back to sweeper 20.
• sweeper 20 can adjust its operation to ensure that the sweep is proceeding as desired, e.g., at 100 nm/s and at a high output power .
• Radiation 16 propagates along the optical path to FBGs 44A,
• Each one of FBGs 44A, 44B, ..., 44N through fiber 30 and undergoes reflection in accordance with the Bragg condition.
• Each one of FBGs 44A, 44B, ..., 44N through fiber 30 and undergoes reflection in accordance with the Bragg condition.
• Each one of FBGs 44A, 44B, ..., 44N through fiber 30 and undergoes reflection in accordance with the Bragg condition.
• wavelengths ⁇ l f ⁇ 2 , ..., ⁇ n of reflected radiation 46 are separated by certain time intervals. Wavelengths ⁇ x and ⁇ 2 are separated by a time interval ⁇ . Therefore, detector 48 produces response signal 50 in which peaks 60 and 62 corresponding to wavelengths ⁇ x and ⁇ 2 are separated by time interval ⁇ , as better illustrated in the graph of Fig. 2A.
• Analysis module 52 receives response signal 50 and performs an analysis including peak detection by selecting a threshold level 66. All peaks with heights or intensities lower than threshold level 66 are ignored. Meanwhile, peaks 60, 62, 64 corresponding to wavelengths ⁇ x , ⁇ 2 , ..., ⁇ n from FBGs 44A, 44B, ..., 44N are further processed by analysis module 52.
• Module 52 identifies or samples a number of data points 68 in evaluating peak 62. Then, module 52 applies algorithms for examining peak 62. The first algorithm applied is a Full Width Half Maximum (FWHM) determination to identify FWHM 70 of peak 62 as shown in Fig. 2C. Then, module 52 applies a centroid detection algorithm to identify a centroid 72 of peak 62. Based on the parameters determined with the algorithms module 52 then uses its a curve fitting module for fitting a best fit curve to peak 62 of response signal 50.
• FWHM Full Width Half Maximum
• the fit selected can be a polynomial fit, a Lorentzian fit or a Gaussian fit.
• module 52 uses a quadratic fit, as shown in Fig. 3.
• the quadratic fit produces a best fit curve 74 indicated in a dashed and dotted line. It is curve 74 that is then used by module 52 for determining physical parameter 12 affecting FBG 44B that produced peak 62 in response signal 50, rather than peak 62 itself.
• the result is sent to computer 56 for display on display 58.
• the remaining peaks contained in response signal 50 are treated analogously.
• the processing can be shared between computer 56 and module 52.
• module 52 can deliver best fit curve 74 to computer 56 for determination of physical parameter 12 affecting FBG 44B.
• determining the most suitable fit module 52 strives to ensure that best fit curve 74 best overlaps the actual shape of the peak. Therefore, although the quadratic fit produces the best result in the present example, a Gaussian fit or a Lorentzian fit can be better for differently shaped peaks. Curve fitting provides not only information about the centroid or center of the shape or peak, but also about its height, width and the slope. This information can also be used by module 52. Furthermore, curve fitting should employ a large number of data points 68 such that sensitivity to noise is reduced and update rate is improved. Additional mathematical techniques for processing data points 68 can also be used, including mathematical transfers such as the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) .
• FFT Fast Fourier Transform
• laser tuner 20 is a sweeper that sweeps a wavelength range ⁇ within which response signal 50 exhibits peaks.
• Fig. 4 illustrates four peaks in response signal 50 obtained from four FBGs at four different wavelengths.
• laser tuner 20 can be a scanner that disregards portions of wavelength range ⁇ where no peaks are expected. However, whether using a scanner or a sweeper it is important to cover the portions of wavelength range ⁇ over which the Bragg wavelengths of FBGs 44A, 44B, ..., 44N are expected to fluctuate in response to physical parameter 12. Additionally, the speed of the sweep or scan can be adjusted based on the time scales on which physical parameter 12 is to be observed.
• apparatus 10 can be used in the transmission mode, such that response signal 50 is produced by a transmitted radiation rather than reflected radiation 46.
• the absorbance of FBGs 44A, 44B, ..., 44N can also be measured.
• FBGs 44A, 44B, ..., 44N can be replaced by polarization-altering optical sensors and a variation produced by physical parameter 12 in the polarization state of a reflected or transmitted radiation can be measured.
• the polarization state being measured can be a polarization angle, a general polarization state, e.g., circular, elliptical or linear, or even a degree of depolarization.
• the apparatus of invention can also be used when the optical path is free space and the sample is a gas sample. In those cases back-scattered radiation can be measured by the optical sensors and the response signal analyzed in accordance with the method of invention.

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