Robust and High-Sensitivity Brillouin Time-Domain Sensing With Branched-Fiber Configuration

We describe branched-fiber sensing with a novel Brillouin time-domain analysis configuration for temperature or strain sensing within a 2-D expanded area. By using a branch configuration with an appropriate number of branches and the newly proposed multiprobe pulse arrangement, the system dynamic range may surpass that of the conventional Brillouin time-domain analyzer, which employs a unicursal fiber configuration. The proposed Brillouin sensing would be useful particularly when the sensed area is 2-D, rather than when the area expands 1-D.