During the fellow´s incorporation to the research group we developed model based on the Fourier Transform (FT) and a software to control the modulation signal. This software also includes all the instruments’ control protocol. Model results for the modulation signals were validated for two output spectral forms: a multi-wavelength emission and a single wavelength sweep. Next, signals calculated by the model were tested in the optical system. The output spectrum changed as expected but showing lower performance as anticipated in the project proposal. In this way, the modulation of the pump power showed high potential to solve these issues.
Due to the collaboration agreement that UPNA already has with Pamplona´s City Council, tasks related to the technology validation work package -supposed to be at the end of the fellowship- were relocated at the beginning of the fellowship. This was devoted to validate the technology into real applications. Then, in the framework of the collaboration agreement with the City Council, the fellow includes some tasks regarding the installation and validation that enable the future validation of the laser system.
In addition to the project plan, the incorporation of the fellow in the research group lead to synergies and collaborations with other researchers. Due to the previous experience of MB in fibre sensors and lasers, new developments were arisen. Specifically, Mikel participated on the multiplexing strategies to incorporate different sensors in networks and in the development of new and low-cost interrogation systems. Also, he collaborated to develop a distributed interrogation system to measure the moisture-front evolution in soils. Next, as part of a final degree project that the fellow supervised, the under-graduate student, in close supervision of the fellow, developed a simple interrogation system based on the continuous wavelength sweep due to the direct modulation of the current of a laser diode in combination with a temperature change. Finally, he provided support in a research project in collaboration with the company STI Norland S.A. to install FBG sensors and measure the torsion on solar trackers.
Along the full project we generated 10 contributions to the most important conferences in optical fiber sensors international conferences. Besides, it is expected to publish soon a paper in an international high-impact journal such as Optics Express, Optics Letters and Laser Physics Letters (open access version available for all of them). Currently, two papers are in generation progress to be submitted to high-impact journals. Also, this project stimulated an original idea that at the end of the grant is in patent preparation and it shows high potential to be transferred to market through a spin-off company.
