Single-Ended Optical Fiber Stress Monitor

Physical Optics Corp. proposes a new method of stress profiling in optical fiber data links. The proposed method, based on stimulated Brillouin scattering and fiber Bragg gratings, will measure the spectral shift caused by stress changes. The system is single ended, allowing the monitoring station to be at the pay-out end of the fiber. The dual measurement also enables cross calibration against temperature changes. The Phase I effort is expected to result in an improved single ended optical fiber stress profilometer (SEOFS) based on Brillouin scattering and fiber Bragg gratings that measure stresses of about 100 N/m2. The success of this project will lead to SEOFS devices that will measure and prevent stress buildup during winding and unwinding of optical fiber from optical fiber bobbins, preventing breakage. While making deployment of fiber more efficient, the SEOFS device will also meet a crucial diagnostic need in the optical fiber industry.