Single-end-access distributed strain sensing with wide dynamic range using higher-speed Brillouin optical correlation-domain reflectometry

Single-end-access real-time fiber-optic distributed strain sensing has recently been demonstrated using an ultrahigh-speed configuration of Brillouin optical correlation-domain reflectometry (BOCDR). Its extremely high sampling rate was, however, achieved at the cost of a limited strain dynamic range (<0.2%). Here, by employing a noise-floor compensation technique, we develop a new cost-effective higher-speed configuration of BOCDR with a wide strain dynamic range (up to 2.0%; evaluated by static strain measurement). This value is larger than that of any other BOCDR configuration. Using this configuration, we demonstrate some fundamental distributed strain measurements and breakage detection. (C) 2017 The Japan Society of Applied Physics