Fiber optic sensors, European training network FINESSE

FINESSE was a project within the EU's Marie Skłodowska-Curie program. 26 of Europe's leading organizations in fiber optic sensors collaborated to train 15 young researchers in the field.

In this project, RISE participated with development of new optical fibers, and research and development in fiber optic sensing technologies. 

One of our expertise areas in specialty fibre manufacturing for sensing is fibres with internal electrodes, in particular fibers for electro-optic devices. In FINESSE, we developed fibers and sensor solutions adapted for monitoring along high-voltage cables.

In the project, we were also involved in other activities such as development of fibres for bolometry, hydrostatic pressure, and gas concentration. 

RISE was also represented in the executive board of FINESSE and led the work package dealing with dissemination of research results and outreach activities in FINESSE.

About the project
The objective behind FINESSE (FIbre NErvous Sensing SystEms) was to mimic the nervous system of living bodies by turning man-made and natural structures into objects that are sensitive to external stimuli owing to advanced distributed fibre-optic sensor technology, with the objective to either give early warning in case of possible danger or occurrence of damage, or to optimise the operation of the structure to allow for a sustainable use of natural resources and assets.

Enabling such functionalities can greatly contribute to realizing a safe, secure and energy efficient Europe, which is an identified societal concern.

RISE publications in FINESSE

• "Optically poled fibers for electro-optic applications", PhD thesis, Joao Pereira (2022) (link)
• “Fiber-based distributed bolometry,” Magalhães R., et al, Opt. Express 27, 4317-4328 (2019) 
• "Distributed Detection of Optical Radiation using Chirped-Pulse Phase-Sensitive Optical Time Domain Reflectometry", Magalhães R., et al, Poster In 26th International Conference on Optical Fibre Sensors (OFS-26), Lausanne, Switzerland, September 2018.
• “Hermetic All-Fiber Phase Modulators Using Joule Heating in Carbon-Coated Fibers”, Garcia-Ruiz, A., et al, In 26th International Conference on Optical Fibre Sensors (OFS-26), Lausanne, Switzerland, September 2018
• "Electrical field measurements with poled optical fibers", Pereira, J.M.B., et al, Poster at Optics & Photonics in Sweden 2017 (OPS); 2017 Oct 18-19; Kista, Sweden
• "Real-time distributed fiber microphone based on phase-OTDR", Franciscangelis C., et al, Optics express. 2016 Dec 26;24(26):29597-602.
• "Real-time multiple machines sound listening using a phase-OTDR based distributed microphone", Franciscangelis C, et al, In Microwave and Optoelectronics Conference (IMOC), 2017 SBMO/IEEE MTT-S International, 2017 Aug 27 (pp. 1-3). IEEE.
• "Vibration measurement on composite material with embedded optical fiber based on phase-OTDR", Franciscangelis C, et al, In Sensors and Smart Structures Technologies for Civil, Mechanical, and Aerospace Systems, 2017 Apr 12 (Vol. 10168, p. 101683Q). International Society for Optics and Photonics.

FINESSE was funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement n° 722509