A Hetero-Core Spliced Fiber Optic SPR Sensor Network for Extensive-area Natural Environment Monitoring

This study discusses the development of a simple and cost-effective natural environment monitoring system constructed using a hetero-core spliced fiber optic SPR sensor by which simultaneous data communications and sensing functions can be achieved on the same line. In order to verify the data communication and sensing function of sensor in an extensive-area of 2000 meters, laboratory experiments employ a SPR sensor with 50-3-50μm core type hetero-core structure which is coated with gold (Au) at 25nm and tantalum pentoxide (Ta2O5) at 60nm. The proposed system has been developed such that the data communication and sensing function are successfully demonstrated.