High density optical fiber enables stress analysis over large areas
Fiber optic sensing techniques make this task easier by combining many sensors on a single fiber. However with the launch of the FBGS ‘All Grating Fiber’ it is now possible to position sensors adjacent to one another, making it possible to monitor changes throughout the complete structure and see how mechanical influences at one point can affect another.
DTG-LBL-1550-AGF is a low bend loss fiber with densely spaced Draw Tower Gratings (DTGs) over the full length of the fiber. It is designed to be used with an OFDR (optical frequency domain reflectometry) system that allows fast and precise measurements over a wide strain or temperature range with spatial resolution down to a few mm over the entire fiber length.
The chain can be configured such that more than 95% of the fiber contains gratings and the wavelength can be adjusted between 1510nm and 1590nm – and can vary within the array. The fiber is produced using a process that combines the drawing of the optical fiber with the writing of a Bragg grating. This process of simultaneously drawing the fiber and writing the grating results in spliceless, high strength FBG chains. The fiber coating is applied directly after the grating inscription and as such the commonly used stripping and recoating process of standard FBG’s is not necessary and the pristine fiber strength is maintained throughout the DTG manufacturing process.
With a breaking strength greater than 5% strain and a temperature operating range from -180°C to +200°C, the DTG fiber are well suited for structural testing within composites, in the aerospace, automotive and the wind industries.
Visit FBGS at www.fbgs.com
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