Implementation of Er-doped random fiber laser self-mixing sensor with ultra-limit sensitivity
Jun Hu, Ruifeng Li, Zhijia Hu, Haosen Li, Yaozhong Yang, Hongtao Li, Jialiang Lv, Qi Yu, Yunkun Zhao, Benli Yu, Liang Lu
Abstract
This study first demonstrates that the random distributed feedback fiber laser (RDFL) can be implemented for sensing detection by using the self-mixing effect as a sensing mechanism. By constructing a compact self-mixing velocimeter based on Er-doped RDFL with the integration of a laser, sensing element, and transmission platform, we successfully measured the minimum detectable feedback intensity of 38.65 fW for the velocity signal, corresponding to 0.55 photons per Doppler cycle, exhibiting ultra-high sensitivity dynamics characteristics. In addition, the velocity measurement of a non-cooperative target at a single-channel distance of 100 km is accomplished because of the natural feature of long-distance transmission for the random distributed feedback fiber lasers, which greatly improves the ultra-long detection range in the field of self-mixing sensing. The proposed sensing scheme not only unveils a fresh perspective on the exploration of random fiber laser sensing but also showcases its diverse and wide-ranging applications within the realm of remote sensing measurements.