Theoretical analysis of the impact of Rayleigh noise on the performance of distributed Raman temperature sensors

Abstract

We present a theoretical model to analyze the impact of Rayleigh noise on Raman distributed temperature sensors (RDTS), which use the anti-Stokes and Stokes light or anti-Stokes component only as the demodulation signals. Based on this model, the effects of Rayleigh noise on temperature accuracy, sensitivity, and resolution are investigated both at only one point and in a section of the fiber. The analysis indicates that for RDTS demodulated by anti-Stokes light only, the temperature accuracy, sensitivity, and resolution decrease by about 1°C, 10%, and 0.25°C on the assumption that the Rayleigh noise accounts for 10% of the anti-Stokes intensity. Moreover, for RDTS demodulated by Stokes and anti-Stokes light, the temperature accuracy, sensitivity, and resolution decrease by about 1°C, 10%, and 0.2°C assuming that the Rayleigh noise in two paths is equal to 10% of the intensity of anti-Stokes and Stokes light. The analysis demonstrates that the impact of Rayleigh noise on sensing capacities of RDTS is non-negligible, thus providing a major contribution to the elimination of Rayleigh noise in RDTS.

Keywords:

• distributed Raman temperature sensor
• Rayleigh noise
• anti-Stokes scattering
• Stokes scattering
• theoretical analysis