Development of a 2-channel embedded infrared fiber-optic temperature sensor using silver halide optical fibers

Recent Advances in Plasmonic Sensor-Based Fiber Optic Probes for Biological Applications

The survey focuses on the most significant contributions in the field of fiber optic plasmonic sensors (FOPS) in recent years. FOPSs are plasmonic sensor-based fiber optic probes that use an optical field to measure the biological agents. Owing to their high sensitivity, high resolution, and low cost, FOPS turn out to be potential alternatives to conventional biological fiber optic sensors. FOPS use optical transduction mechanisms to enhance sensitivity and resolution. The optical transduction mechanisms of FOPS with different geometrical structures and the photonic properties of the geometries are discussed in detail. The studies of optical properties with a combination of suitable materials for testing the biosamples allow for diagnosing diseases in the medical field.

Effects of Temperature and X-rays on Plastic Scintillating Fiber and Infrared Optical Fiber

In this study, we have studied the effects of temperature and X-ray energy variations on the light output signals from two different fiber-optic sensors, a fiber-optic dosimeter (FOD) based on a BCF-12 as a plastic scintillating fiber (PSF) and a fiber-optic thermometer (FOT) using a silver halide optical fiber as an infrared optical fiber (IR fiber). During X-ray beam irradiation, the scintillating light and IR signals were measured simultaneously using a dosimeter probe of the FOD and a thermometer probe of the FOT. The probes were placed in a beaker with water on the center of a hotplate, under variation of the tube potential of a digital radiography system or the temperature of the water in the beaker. From the experimental results, in the case of the PSF, the scintillator light output at the given tube potential decreased as the temperature increased in the temperature range from 25 to 60 °C. We demonstrated that commonly used BCF-12 has a significant temperature dependence of −0.263 ± 0.028%/°C in the clinical temperature range. Next, in the case of the IR fiber, the intensity of the IR signal was almost uniform at each temperature regardless of the tube potential range from 50 to 150 kVp. Therefore, we also demonstrated that the X-ray beam with an energy range used in diagnostic radiology does not affect the IR signals transmitted via a silver halide optical fiber.

A fiber-optic sensor using an aqueous solution of sodium chloride to measure temperature and water level simultaneously

A fiber-optic sensor system using a multiplexed array of sensing probes based on an aqueous solution of sodium chloride (NaCl solution) and an optical time-domain reflectometer (OTDR) for simultaneous measurement of temperature and water level is proposed. By changing the temperature, the refractive index of the NaCl solution is varied and Fresnel reflection arising at the interface between the distal end of optical fiber and the NaCl solution is then also changed. We measured the modified optical power of the light reflected from the sensing probe using a portable OTDR device and also obtained the relationship between the temperature of water and the optical power. In this study, the water level was simply determined by measuring the signal difference of the optical power due to the temperature difference of individual sensing probes placed inside and outside of the water. In conclusion, we demonstrate that the temperature and water level can be obtained simultaneously by measuring optical powers of light reflected from sensing probes based on the NaCl solution. It is anticipated that the proposed fiber-optic sensor system makes it possible to remotely monitor the real-time change of temperature and water level of the spent fuel pool during a loss of power accident.