Simplified Brillouin distributed sensing scheme using ultra-high extinction ratio RF pulses

We introduce a novel Brillouin optical time domain analysis (BOTDA) sensor in which pump pulses are shaped in the electrical instead of the optical domain. A single electro optic modulator is driven by RF pulses to generate a pulsed pump with ultra-high extinction ratio (80dB). Therefore, the spectral distortions and measurements inaccuracies induced by pulse leakage in BOTDA setups that pulse the pump using optical devices are completely avoided. Moreover, no additional active components are needed to obtain the pump and probe signals, thus the cost of the setup, which is one of the major drawbacks of Brillouin distributed sensors, is reduced and its commercial feasibility enhanced. We report a 10Km temperature distributed sensor with 0.8°C temperature resolution and 24m spatial resolution with no distortion caused by pulse leakage.