Quasi-distributed pressure sensor using intensity-type optical coherence domain polarimetry

A quasi-distributed optical fiber sensor is investigated that locates the positions of sensing units along a high-birefringence fiber by using white-light interferometry and measures the physical parameters by directly detecting the measured-induced cross coupling between two polarization modes. Important factors that affect the performance of the system, such as cross-term spurious signals and thermostability, are analyzed. Preliminary experimental results of such a system with 10 pressure sensors are presented.