Wavelength coded fiber optic sensors for verification of identity

Charles K. Gary; Josh Rubin

doi:10.1117/12.255371

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25 October 1996 Wavelength-coded fiber optic sensors for verification of identity

Charles K. Gary, Josh Rubin

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Proceedings Volume 2839, Fiber Optic and Laser Sensors XIV; (1996) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.255371
Event: SPIE's 1996 International Symposium on Optical Science, Engineering, and Instrumentation, 1996, Denver, CO, United States

Abstract

In this paper we present a fiber-optic sensing system designed to verify the identity of objects or personnel. The spectrum of a fiber-optic Bragg grating can store information, which can then be accessed simply by examining the reflection spectrum of the grating. Typically, fiber- optic Bragg grating sensors measure perturbations in the spectrum of the grating caused by the environment. However, spectral information can also distinguish various Bragg gratings, a principle that is used to wavelength division multiplex limited numbers of Bragg gratings sensors. Going one step further, a very large number of gratings can be distinguished by their spectra. In this paper, we present the experimental validation of a system capable of distinguishing over 1000 sensor heads. The fiber-optic Bragg gratings can be thought of as keys, or ID cards, that can be read by a detector to limit access to secure information or places. The system can readily expand to provide the capability of distinguishing over a million keys. In addition, the keys can also function as sensors.

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Charles K. Gary and Josh Rubin "Wavelength-coded fiber optic sensors for verification of identity", Proc. SPIE 2839, Fiber Optic and Laser Sensors XIV, (25 October 1996); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.255371

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