Linking Distributed and Integrated Fiber-Optic Sensing

Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) has become a popular method of observing seismic wavefields: backscattered pulses of light reveal strains or strain rates at any location along a fiber-optic cable. In contrast, a few newer systems transmit light through a cable and collect integrated phase delays over the entire cable, such as the Microwave Frequency Fiber Interferometer (MFFI). These integrated systems can be deployed over significantly longer distances, may be used in conjunction with live telecommunications, and can be significantly cheaper. However, they provide only a single time series representing strain over the entire length of the fiber. This work discusses theoretically how a distributed and integrated system can be quantitatively compared, and we note that the sensitivity depends strongly on points of curvature. Importantly, this work presents the first results of a quantitative, head-to-head comparison of a DAS and the integrated MFFI system using pre-existing telecommunications fibers in Athens, Greece.

Automated summary

Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) and integrated MFFI system are two popular methods for observing seismic wavefields, which acquire strain information from fiber-optic cables in different ways. This paper quantitatively compares these two methods through theoretical study and practical experiments, highlighting the importance of sensitivity depending on curvature points.