Research on a bimetallic-sensitized FBG temperature sensor

Temperature measurement is of great significance for research in the health monitoring of large structures and earthquake precursors. Against the frequently reported low sensitivity of fiber Bragg grating (FBG) temperature sensors, a bimetallic-sensitized FBG temperature sensor was proposed. The sensitization structure of the FBG temperature sensor was designed, and the sensor sensitivity was analyzed; the lengths and materials of the substrate and strain transfer beam were analyzed theoretically; 7075 aluminum and 4J36 invar were chosen as bimetallic materials, and the ratio of the substrate length to the sensing fiber length was determined. The structural parameters were optimized; the real sensor was developed, and its performance was tested. The results suggested that the sensitivity of the FBG temperature sensor was 50.2 pm/°C, about five times than that of a bare FBG sensor, and its linearity was more than 0.99. The findings offer a reference for developing sensors of the same type and further improving the sensitivity of the FBG temperature sensors.