Abstract
Sensitised Polymer Optical Fibre (POF) sensors have been developed to measure moisture and pH in a variety of environments. This study aims to provide a capability for the monitoring of spatial differences around the root systems of developing plants. Mapping localised variations and temporal changes in moisture and pH provides a method for imaging soil behaviour and the effect of micro-organisms within. Tests are performed using water, foam, sand, and agricultural soil with moisture levels between 10 and 40% W/W, and pH range from 5 to 8 pH units using a length of polymer optical fibre (POF) with a decladded or sensitised region along its length. Continuous wave (CW) optical sources (either laser or LED based) are used to interrogate the fibres and each fibre type is characterised to demonstrate its response to moisture and pH.By alternating various procedures which expose and then remove the decladded or sensitised fibres from the experimental measurement setup, high repeatability and measurement accuracy are demonstrated. This provides an accurate means for deploying either single sensors as an array or puts forward an adequate technique for producing distributed sensors using optical time domain reflectometry (OTDR).
Original language | English |
---|---|
Title of host publication | Proceeding of Photon12 |
Place of Publication | London, UK |
Publisher | IOP Publishing Ltd |
Publication status | Published - 4 Sept 2012 |
Event | Photon 12 - University of Durham, Durham, UK Duration: 3 Sept 2012 → 6 Sept 2012 |
Conference
Conference | Photon 12 |
---|---|
City | University of Durham, Durham, UK |
Period | 3/09/12 → 6/09/12 |