Projects / Programmes
Specialty optical fibers for optical sensor systems
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 2.15.01 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Metrology |
Sensors and data acquisition |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| P180 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Metrology, physical instrumentation |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 2.02 |
Engineering and Technology |
Electrical engineering, Electronic engineering, Information engineering |
Optical fibers, optical sensors, optical fiber sensors, doping of optical fibers
Researchers (8)
| no. |
Code |
Name and surname |
Research area |
Role |
Period |
No. of publicationsNo. of publications |
| 1. |
21327 |
PhD Edvard Cibula |
Metrology |
Researcher |
2010 - 2013 |
54 |
| 2. |
26338 |
PhD Stanislav Čampelj |
Materials science and technology |
Researcher |
2012 - 2013 |
63 |
| 3. |
15006 |
PhD Denis Đonlagić |
Metrology |
Head |
2010 - 2013 |
383 |
| 4. |
04357 |
Borut Lenardič |
Telecommunications |
Researcher |
2010 - 2013 |
36 |
| 5. |
34316 |
Boris Macuh |
|
Technical associate |
2013 |
0 |
| 6. |
29743 |
PhD Simon Pevec |
Metrology |
Researcher |
2010 - 2013 |
82 |
| 7. |
31823 |
Borut Preložnik |
|
Technical associate |
2010 - 2012 |
7 |
| 8. |
31613 |
Aleš Trkov |
Manufacturing technologies and systems |
Technical associate |
2010 - 2013 |
0 |
Organisations (2)
Abstract
The proposed project is aimed to research and investigation of possibilities for the design and manufacturing of special sensing optical fibers that will enable direct measurement of physical parameters, for example strain, temperature, pressure, fluid flows and others.
The successful creation of proposed sensing fibers will allow design of a new generation fiber optic sensors that will not only complement existing optical sensing technologies, but will also open new frontiers for fiber sensors in traditional and emerging application fields, such as microfluidics. The proposed sensor fibers will be compatible with standard telecommunication fibers and will be applicable as point sensors or as sensors integrated in quasi distributed optical sensing networks. Besides sensing optical fibers, it is anticipated that research of specialty fibers that will enable effective and low cost processing of signals generated by fiber optic sensors.
To accomplish these goals, new waveguide structures and different kinds of less common dopants will be investigated and applied to the design of proposed sensing and signal processing fibers. In order to practically produce such fibers, the project will include research and development of new fiber manufacturing technologies. Methods that will allow for introduction of high concentration of rarely used dopants in silica glass, such as transition metals or heavy metal ions, will be investigated. Concurrently, technologies for manufacturing of complex waveguide structures within the fiber will also be explored.
Finally, under the framework of the proposed project, a new class of fiber optic sensors and signal conditioners based on proposed specialty optical fibers will be practically demonstrated. Since optical fibers can be produced very economically in large lengths, and since the required lengths to build individual sensors or signal processors are very short, we expect to create new class of cost effective sensing solutions allowing better penetration of novel fiber sensing technologies in into variety of traditional and emerging sensing applications.
Significance for science
Proposed research and development of new and novel specialty optical fibers lead to creation of new and fundamental knowledge enabling original approaches in design of fiber optic sensors and photonic devices. Implemented solutions that all base on micromachining including selective etching are used for development of new generation of optical fiber sensors, presenting an important contribution in the field of photonics and other scientific fields like microfluidics, biomedicine, civil engineering and other technical fields that use and rely upon fiber optic sensing technologies. The proposed concepts are original in their design as well as in practical usability, which enabled direct application of research results in practical applications. Research conducted in the field of new dopants and their impact on optical, thermal and other properties, particularly in high concentrations extends research options in other scientific fields, such as fiber lasers and telecommunication applications. New waveguide structures created inside and on the tip of optical fibers have been opened the novel development approaches for innovative photonic components applicable to numerous other areas of science and technology, where fibers or photonic systems are used. The results of the research work have been published in prominent scientific journals with high impact factor and secured with international patents. Fabrication of prototypes may lead directly to practical industrial products and applications. On base of the research work, results and produced sensors we establish better conditions for cooperation among local and global industrial partners with the aim of assuring better cooperation of scientific sphere with business sector.
Significance for the country
Project linked together more industrial partners from Slovenia, which contribute to the development of industrial partners involved in the project, as well as other industrial partners that cooperate with members of the project group. Like it was expected that developed prototypes are easily convertible into marketable industrial products with suitable after project development. Research of doping technology and process for specialty optical fibers provided fundamental knowledge for future product and technology development in Optacore and possible development of new fabrication equipment and system for doping of optical fiber preforms and similar products, the area of development where Optacore is still one of the main players globally. Success of proposed project provided direct as well as indirect benefits to many Slovenian enterprises, which already use or want to use photonic or optical fiber based solutions. Such companies are ,among others, Hidria, Fotona, Metrel, Optotek, LPKF and Mikrobit. Project group members have already established cooperation with these companies. Since project group members are the only Slovenian companies with profound and extensive knowledge of optical fiber technologies, is very important that group members continue in proposed direction, because in broader area is expected to see even higher interest for optical technology use, which is belong functionality, simplicity and novelty, the base condition for further product commercialization. That can significantly improve competiveness of domestic partners and increase the economic growth. Beneficial effects are also foreseen on the global level. With development of technologies that provide the possibility for more cost effective implementation of sensor systems, based on novel specialty fibers and photonic devices, fiber optic sensing have been gained much wider acceptance in the fields where cost or other characteristics presented a critical limitation (for example in microfluidics, biomedicine, automotive industry, etc).
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2010,
2011,
2012,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2010,
2011,
2012,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
