SELF-REFERENCED OPTICAL FIBRE SENSOR AND RELATED SENSOR NETWORK

摘要

The invention generally pertains to the field of optical fibre sensors including at least one measurement optical fibre (10) containing an optically-pumped doped amplification medium (11) having optical characteristics that are sensitive to a physical value, the fibre including at least one Bragg grating (12). The fibre is adapted so as to generate, in the amplification medium, at least two optical waves (1, 2) having different optical frequencies, propagating in the same direction after reflection on the Bragg grating and transmitted by the amplification medium, wherein the two optical frequencies depend on the physical value. The generation of the two waves can be made using a birefringent polarisation-supporting fibre, or a laser cavity of the DBR (Distributed Bragg Reflector) type. The sensor can particularly be used as a hydrophone.