Development of a system for refractive index measurement using optical fiber periodic structures in an innovative cascade arrangement with reduced sensitivity to polarization changes

Project title: Development of a system for refractive index measurement using optical fiber periodic structures in an innovative cascade arrangement with reduced sensitivity to polarization changes

Agreement number: LIDER14/0151/2023

Edition of the competition: XIV

Project implementation period: 01.02.2024 - 01.02.2027

Project value: 1 760 555,00 PLN

Funds granted for Lublin University of Technology: 1 760 555,00 PLN

Principal Investigator: dr inż. Damian Harasim

Abstract: The project concerns the development of an innovative photonic system for measuring the refractive index of solutions, using fiber optic sensors with reduced sensitivity to changes in the polarization of the introduced radiation. The use of technologies on the borderline of optoelectronics and materials engineering will allow to obtain a globally innovative solution that will allow the measurement of the refractive index using a sensor in the form of a suitably modified optical fiber. As part of the project, optical fiber periodic structures with unique spectral properties will be produced, designed using numerical models. The use of sensors stored in the core of an optical fiber brings a number of advantages, such as a miniature sensor diameter, resistance to electromagnetic interference or the ability to place many sensors on a single fiber at distances of several kilometers from each other. One of the barriers limiting the use of periodic optical fiber structures sensitive to refractive index changes is the dependence of their spectral properties on changes in the polarization angle of the introduced radiation. As part of the project, experimental research will be carried out using Bragg gratings, whose unique internal structure will significantly reduce the dependence of the results on the polarization of the source radiation. Making a prototype of the measuring head will allow to present its most important features and advantages over commercially available refractive index measurement systems. In addition, a dedicated demodulation system for the signal from the sensors used for the measurement will be developed, together with the results acquisition system. The developed measurement system can be used in particular in the food or oil industry, where it is often necessary to test the refractive index at various points of the installation.