Development of phase-shift grating array and interrogation technique for vibration sensing and distributed feedback fiber lasers

在过去的几十年里，基于光纤布拉格光栅（FBG）的传感器、激光器和仪器的研究和开发导致了许多关键行业中结构健康监测（SHM）技术的快速增长。QPS Photronics Inc位于蒙特利尔的魁北克是开发和商业化FBG传感技术的科技公司之一。该公司已成功地提供和安装了许多传感系统的工程结构，包括大型发电机在加拿大和海外监测结构的安全运行。为了加强其全球竞争力，QPS最近推出了几项新举措，重点是开发一种具有单一窄峰传输的新型p相移FBG和相关检测系统。新的FBG旨在使现有的FBG传感器在其传感能力上实现飞跃。同样的FBG也可以用于窄线宽光纤激光器，用于检测温室气体（GHG）排放，如CO2和CH4泄漏，这是电力，能源和采矿业面临的严重环境挑战。该研究旨在识别、解决和解决与当前FBG传感器缺陷相关的问题，并找到可行的技术方法来提高信号质量、测量灵敏度和准确度。该工作还将致力于QPS的技术适应性和产品商业化。提出的主要方法是基于新的方法，以缩小带宽的FBG峰值下降到皮米级。几个核心设计和工艺将进行研究，开发和实施，包括制作特殊设计的FBG，精确识别的pm带宽峰值和锁定的激光二极管的波长在检测系统中的峰值等建议的研究成果将使QPS保持其目前的领先地位，加强其竞争力和开发新的市场。五名高素质人员（HQP）将通过这项合作研究进行培训，研究相关的光子学和机械问题以及拟议任务的所有技术问题。

In the past decades the research and development in fiber Bragg grating (FBG) based sensors, lasers and instrumentations have led to their rapidly growth in Structure Health Monitoring (SHM) technologies in many key industry sectors. QPS Photronics Inc. in Montreal, Quebec is one of the tech companies that has been developing and commercializing FBG-based sensing technologies. The company has successfully provided and installed many of its sensing systems to engineering structures including large scale electric power generators in Canada and overseas for monitoring the structures' safe operation. To strengthen its global-wide competitiveness the QPS has recently launched several new initiatives focusing on developing a novel p-phase shift FBG with single narrow peak transmission and associated detection system. The new FBG aims to give existing FBG sensor a leap forward in its sensing capability. The same FBG can also be used in narrow linewidth fiber laser for the detection of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions such as CO2 and CH4 leakage, which are serious environmental challenges facing power, energy and mining industries. The proposed research is to identify, address and tackle the issues related to the drawbacks of the current FBG sensors and to find viable technical approaches to improve the signal quality, measurement sensitivity and accuracy. The work will also aim for the technology adaption and product commercialization of QPS. The main methodology proposed is based on the novel approaches to narrow the bandwidth of the FBG peaks down to pico-meter level. A few core designs and processes will be studied, developed and implemented including those of fabricating special designed FBGs, accurately identifying the pm-bandwidth peak and locking the wavelength of a laser diode to the peak in the detection system etc. The outcomes of the proposed research will enable QPS to maintain its current leading position, strengthen its competitiveness and develop new market. Five High Quality Personals (HQP) will be trained through this collaborative research, studying the relevant photonics and mechanic issues as well as all technical issues of the proposed tasks.