The Photonics Laboratory shows extensive research activity in the field of fiber-optic sensing using fiber Bragg grating technology at the intersection of research and application. The main focus lies on the development of high precision sensor elements and the associated metrology and the evaluation processes, which are optimal adapted to the particular application. This includes all applications in a rough environment, such as high temperatures, high electromagnetic fields or in medicine and applications in which the use of commercial electrical sensors is critical.

The main research areas are:

• Regenerated FBG sensor elements for high-temperature sensing
• Optical instrumentation of gas turbines up to 800°C
• High spatial resolution (e.g., 15 sensors on 30mm)
• Sensor packaging according to requirements
• Embedded sensor elements in fiber-optic smart casts
• Materials: aluminum (~700°C) and copper (~1200°C)
• Measurement of temperature and strain evolution / gradients during solidification
• Structural health monitoring with embedded FBGs
• Hydrogen sensing with palladium-coated pi-shifted FBGs
• Hydrogen leakage detection
• Concentration distribution measurements with multipoint sensors
• Temperature-dependent hydrogen calibration
• Indentation of articular cartilage with high precision FBGs
• Measurements of stiffness and relaxation times
• Resolution of 0.1mN