Ultra-Low-Frequency Tri-Component Fiber Optic Interferometric Accelerometer

• Published in: IEEE sensors journal Vol. 18; no. 20; pp. 8367 - 8374
• Main Authors: Chen, Jiandong, Chang, Tianying, Yang, Yue, Gao, Wenzhi, Wang, Zhongmin, Cui, Hong-Liang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York IEEE 15.10.2018; The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
• Subjects: Accelerometers; Damping; Dynamic range; Extremely low frequencies; Fiber optic sensors; Fiber optics; geophysical measurement techniques; interferometric accelerometer; Interferometry; Low noise; Noise levels; Noise sensitivity; Optical fiber sensors; Optical fibers; Optical interferometry; Seismic activity; Seismic waves; ultra-low frequency vibration detection; Vibrations
• ISSN: 1530-437X; 1558-1748
• DOI: 10.1109/JSEN.2018.2865894

We demonstrate a high-performance ultra-lowfrequency tri-component fiber optic interferometric accelerometer (FOIA), designed particularly for application in seismic observation of ocean-floor deployment, with high sensitivity, low noise level, and large dynamic range. Experimental results show that the sensitivity of the FOIA is 57 dB re rad/g, and the noise levels of the three orthogonal components are 0.163, 0.181, and 0.153 μg, respectively, within the operating frequency band (0.005-50 Hz). The dynamic range of the system is higher than 117.03 dB. Actual observational results of an M4.3 seismic event show that the prototypical system can clearly record the seismic wave, with unambiguous demarcation of S-wave and P-wave, and locate the hypocenter of the earthquake.