Single-shot distributed temperature and strain tracking using direct detection phase-sensitive OTDR with chirped pulses

So far, the optical pulses used in phase-sensitive OTDR (Phi OTDR) were typically engineered so as to have a constant phase along the pulse. In this work, it is demonstrated that by acting on the phase profile of the optical pulses, it is possible to introduce important conceptual and practical changes to the traditional Phi OTDR operation, thus opening a door for new possibilities which are yet to be explored. Using a Phi OTDR with linearly chirped pulses and direct detection, the distributed measurement of temperature/strain changes from trace to trace, with 1mK/4n epsilon resolution, is theoreticaly and experimentaly demonstrated. The measurand resolution and sensitivity can be tuned by acting on the pulse chirp profile. The technique does not require a frequency sweep, thus greatly decreasing the measurement time and complexity of the system, while maintaining the potential for metric spatial resolutions over tens of kilometers as in conventional Phi OTDR. The technique allows for measurements at kHz rates, while maintaining reliability over several hours. (C)2016 Optical Society of America