RT info:eu-repo/semantics/article T1 Fiber-based distributed bolometry A1 Teixeira Magalhaes, Regina Manuela A1 García Ruiz, Andrés A1 Fidalgo Martins, Hugo A1 Pereira, João A1 Margulis, Walter A1 Martín López, Sonia A1 González Herráez, Miguel K1 Fiber optics sensors K1 Rayleigh scattering K1 Remote sensing and sensors K1 Optical time domain reflectometry K1 Electrónica K1 Electronics AB Optical fibers are inherently designed to allow no interaction between the guided light and the surrounding optical radiation. Thus, very few optical fiber-based technologies exist in the field of optical radiation sensing. Accomplishing fully-distributed optical radiation sensing appears then as even more challenging since, on top of the lack of sensitivity explained above, we should add the need of addressing thousands of measurement points in a single, continuous optical cable. Nevertheless, it is clear that there exist a number of applications which could benefit from such distributed sensing scheme, particularly if the sensitivity was sufficiently high to be able to measure correctly variations in optical radiation levels compatible with the earth surface. Distributed optical radiation sensing over large distances could be employed in applications such as Dynamic Line Rating (DLR), where it is known that solar radiation can be an important limiting factor in energy transmission through overhead power cables, and also in other applications such as thermo-solar energy. In this work, we present the proof-of-concept of the first distributed bolometer based on optical fiber technology and capable of detecting absolute changes of irradiance. The core idea of the system is the use of a special fiber coating with high emissivity (e.g. carbon coating or black paint). The high absorption of these coatings translates into a temperature change that can be read with sufficiently high sensitivity using phase-sensitive reflectometry. To demonstrate the concept, we interrogate distinct black-coated optical fibers using a chirped-pulse PhiOTDR, and we readily demonstrate the detection of light with resolutions in the order of 1% of the reference solar irradiance, offering a high potential for integration in the aforementioned applications. SN 1094-4087 YR 2019 FD 2019 LK http://hdl.handle.net/10017/35842 UL http://hdl.handle.net/10017/35842 LA eng NO European Commission DS MINDS@UW RD 25-abr-2024