Optical Salinity Sensor System Based on Fiber-Optic Array

The refractive index of salt water changes corresponding to the variation of salinity. Based on a differential refractometer, the salinity can be measured due to beam deviation, and the influence of temperature on the measurement results is reduced effectively. Beam deviation caused by salinity change is detected by a fiber-optic array and recorded by a charge-coupled device. According to the Gauss distribution theory, the light-spot center can be determined by fitting a Gauss curve using each received light spot intensity and the position of each receiving fiber. With this method, measurement errors caused by light power fluctuation and ambient light disturbance can be avoided effectively. Variation in transmission power loss of each receiving fiber reduces the measurement accuracy of salinity. Therefore, a method of correction for each fiber transmission power loss in the array can effectively improve the salinity measurement accuracy. Experimental results indicate the feasibility of the developed system, and the measurement repeatability error is better than +/- 0.25 parts per thousand.