Patent ID: 8400640
Filing Date: 2013-03-19
Classification: G01D,G01J

Abstract:
1. An optical sensor interrogation system comprising: a light source unit which matches a round-trip time of light with a wavelength tunable cycle time of light in a resonator and emits light; a sensing unit which receives an optical signal, in which a center wavelength is periodically tuned, from the light source unit and changes reflection according to the center wavelength of the optical signal based on externally applied physical changes; and a signal processing unit which receives the optical signal reflected from the sensing unit, detects data, and images the data, wherein the light source unit comprises: an amplifier which provides a predetermined optical gain in the resonator; a delaying unit which is installed in the resonator and delays the round-trip time of light provided from the amplifier; a tunable filter which periodically scans a wavelength of light in the resonator and tunes the wavelength of light; and an output coupler which outputs and feeds back light having the tuned wavelength in a predetermined ratio and continuously oscillates light, wherein the delaying unit and the tunable filter are used to match the round-trip time of light with the wavelength tunable cycle time of light wherein the length of the delaying unit is determined la the ratio of a speed of light in a core of the delaying unit with a predetermined refractive index to an operating frequency of the tunable filter.