Simplified configuration of Brillouin optical correlation-domain reflectometry

Abstract

We develop a simple and cost-efficient configuration of Brillouin optical correlation-domain reflectometry (BOCDR), the setup of which does not include an additional reference path used in standard BOCDR systems. The Fresnel-reflected light from an open end of a sensing fiber is used as reference light. The limitations of spatial resolution, measurement range, and their ratio are theoretically clarified, and then a distributed strain measurement with a < 100-mm spatial resolution and a 4.1-m measurement range is demonstrated with a high signal-to-noise ratio.