Magnetic field sensing using standard uniform FBGs

Recent Progress on Electromagnetic Field Measurement Based on Optical Sensors

Electromagnetic field sensors are widely used in various areas. In recent years, great progress has been made in the optical sensing technique for electromagnetic field measurement, and varieties of corresponding sensors have been proposed. Types of magnetic field optical sensors were presented, including probes-based Faraday effect, magnetostrictive materials, and magnetic fluid. The sensing system-based Faraday effect is complex, and the sensors are mostly used in intensive magnetic field measurement. Magnetic field optical sensors based on magnetic fluid have high sensitivity compared to that based on magnetostrictive materials. Three types of electric field optical sensors are presented, including the sensor probes based on electric-optic crystal, piezoelectric materials, and electrostatic attraction. The majority of sensors are developed using the sensing scheme of combining the LiNbO3 crystal and optical fiber interferometer due to the good electro-optic properties of the crystal. The piezoelectric materials-based electric field sensors have simple structure and easy fabrication, but it is not suitable for weak electric field measurement. The sensing principle based on electrostatic attraction is less commonly-used sensing methods. This review aims at presenting the advances in optical sensing technology for electromagnetic field measurement, analyzing the principles of different types of sensors and discussing each advantage and disadvantage, as well as the future outlook on the performance improvement of sensors.

Intrinsic Fabry-Perot Sensors for Magnetic Field Detection

Within the context of ensuring stable nuclear fusion, it is important to monitor and control a number of parametersincluding the magnetic field associated with plasma circulation. Optical fibre sensing techniques have seen a surge in promulgation and research advances in recent years, due to their immunity to electromagnetic radiation and compact dimensions. Prior work has shown that fibre Bragg gratings are one method of recovering the induced magnetic field, with the main point of interest being their use as distributed point sensors. However, Bragg grating inscription leads to the creation of linear birefringence that increases detector noise and could obscure a given signal. We have hypothesised that by using an intrinsic Fabry-Perot cavity comprised of two identical Bragg gratings, we could obtain a more accurate detector with the removal of photo-induced birefringence in the detection region. We present a proof of concept optical fibre sensor based on an intrinsic Fabry-Perot cavity that shows spectrally visible amplitude modulation. Finally, we demonstrate faster data processing that allows real time monitoring of a given scenario.