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THE TECHNOLOGY OF THE FUTURE
 
Optical fibers are usually associated with telecommunications applications. They are currently an essential part of the infrastructure that transmits information over long distances. We typically use optical fibers when  using the Internet or making phone calls, but their possibilities are much greater. InPhoTech works towards unravelling the full potential of optical fibers in a broad range of areas of our life and work.
Below are some descriptions of some of the key photonic technologies developed by InPhoTech. Our technologists - the teams of specialists in many fields from advanced glass processing, through chemistry, mechanics, optics, optoelectronics to data analysis and programming – perform the required research. Based on our technologies, we create the solutions and products suited to your needs in order to improve the efficiency of your production, the security of your infrastructure and the competitiveness of your business on the market.
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DISTRIBUTED FIBER SENSORS

In this technology, the entire optical fiber becomes a sensor that can measure various physical parameters with high precision over a large area. Depending on the chosen parameters and the type of optical fiber, it can be used in places unavailable for traditional sensors (e.g. due to limited space, a harmful electromagnetic field, the risk of sparking, very high temperature, a chemically aggressive environment or radioactivity).

 


HOW DOES IT WORK?
The distributed fiber sensor can be used to measure temperature, deformation, pressure or even sound in your environment. A distributed measurement means that the user simultaneously receives information about the measured conditions along the whole length of the optical fiber at each point independently. In this way, we can, for example, measure the temperature of each centimetre of an engine block or the deformation of each meter of pipeline and show how the individual results are distributed over the entire measured object in real time. It is also possible to measure several physical conditions simultaneously with the same sensor. Subsequently, one fiber optic sensor can replace hundreds of thousands of conventional electrical sensors.

HOW DO WE DO IT?
Ordinary telecommunications fiber can be used for staggered measurements. This allows for extending the functionality of the existing ICT network by using it as a measurement system. Much greater possibilities in terms of range, accuracy or type of measurements can be achieved owing to the use of special optical fibers. The unique expertise and know-how of InPhoTech experts makes it is possible to manufacture an optical fiber that allows the measurement of unusual physical qualities to be made, even in hostile conditions.
The operation of the sensor is based on introducing appropriately modulated light into the fiber and observing the return signal. The light propagating through the optical fiber scatters to a small extent on the imperfections of the structure. Part of the energy dissipated in this way returns to the source and is recorded.
Temperature, deformation, pressure and other external factors can change the optical properties of the optical fiber, and thus the way the light propages. By observing the resulting modified scattered light modified, we can measure the changes that have occurred. Appropriate processing of the data obtained in this way makes it possible to measure the environmental conditions very accurately.

Examples of the use of such sensors include FOPTEC and DTS systems.
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FIBERS WITH METAL COATING 

Extreme conditions call for extremely robust solutions. Metal-coated optical fibers enable information transfer and parameter monitoring in the most hostile environments, often unavailable for standard applications.

HOW DOES IT WORK?
Traditional optical fibers are generally coated with polymethyl methacrylate. This material is vulnerable to high temperatures and aggressive chemical environments. Therefore, we have developed a series of optical fiber coatings that are resistant to aggressive conditions (temperature above 300 ° C, high-energy radiation, concentrated acids, bases, oxidants and reducing agents) with improved mechanical strength capabilities.

Fibers enhanced this way, characterized by excellent optical parameters, are perfect as key components for distributed sensors or resistant Information and Communication Technology links in heavy, chemical and space industry applications.

HOW DO WE DO IT?
InPhoTech’s research and development department has developed a unique technology for coating optical fibers with metals in order to enhance the fiber’s resistance and durability. The process of covering a glass fiber with metal, such a completely different material, requires caution and very high precision – an optical fiber is thinner than a human hair. This expertise enables our specialists to coat any type of optical fiber with various metals.

For more information, see HERO Fiber.
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SPECIALTY OPTICAL FIBERS

Standard optical fibers are widely used in telecommunications. However, signal transmission in ICT networks is only one of the many uses for optical fibers. A properly adapted optical fiber (specialty optical fiber) can be used, for example, for measurements, laser power supply or the detection of hazardous substances. Specialty fibers can be designed and manufactured in many ways, and their production is almost as flexible as the fiber itself. By incorporating various dopants, microstructures, modifications and types of glass, we can create fibers that work for us the way we want.

HOW DO WE DO IT?
Our specialist physicists, using specialized software, carry out the necessary numerical analysis and simulations to create designs of optical fibers for various tasks. The appropriate combination of glass doping, geometry and internal structure make it possible to obtain fibers with characteristics unattainable for standard optical fibers.

HOW DOES IT WORK?
Special dispersion properties, low or extraordinarily high sensitivity to some parameters, multiple transmission channels - these are just some of the features of our optical fibers. Some of the applications for specialty fibers are listed below:

Sensors for industry
The use of specialty, specifically designed optical fibers make it possible to measure various parameters - temperature, stress, vibration or pressure - with even greater accuracy and under previously unattainable conditions.

The use of multi-core optical fibers in conjunction with appropriate signal analysis techniques enable shape detection, i.e. reading the current shape and position of the object to which the fiber has been attached. Such applications can be implemented, for example, in industrial robot control systems or in on-board sensors in modern aircraft.

More information about our sensors.

Telecommunication
Specially designed multi-core optical fibers used in telecommunications, enable the network bandwidth capacity to be dramatically increased, even by a factor of several times, while maintaining the standard fiber dimensions. Thus, a cable with an ordinary diameter can transfer much more data, saving space in the already packed telecommunication wells.

Our flagship product in the field of telecommunications is the IPT-CORE.

Cosmos
The use of optical fibers in spacehas been limited so far, due to the high risk of fiber damage by radiation. The use of special additives in the glass from which the fiber is made makes it is possible to create an enhanced optical fiber resistant to the harmful effects of radiation. The use of such optical fibers and optical fiber components developed by InPhoTech allows the infrastructure to be upgraded from standard, electric cables, and thus reduce the weight and increase the efficiency of the on-board systems.

You can find more on this topic here.