Slope-assisted Brillouin optical correlation-domain reflectometry using high-loss plastic optical fibers

We demonstrate high-speed distributed sensing based on slope-assisted (SA-) Brillouin optical correlation-domain reflectometry (BOCDR) using high-loss plastic optical fibers (POFs). Unlike the case of silica fibers, due to the gradual reduction in the transmitted power along the POF, the strain and temperature sensitivities are found to depend on sensing position. This unique effect is investigated both theoretically and experimentally, and then a correct POF-based distributed measurement is shown to be feasible by compensating this effect.