Large-scale multiplexed fiber optic arrays for geophysical applications

Fiber optic sensors are becoming a well-established technology for a range of geophysical applications, and static pressure and temperature sensors in particular are now comparatively well developed. However, rather less attention has been paid to systems for measuring dynamic quantities such as acoustic and seismic signals. Furthermore, the very large multiplexing potential of fiber optic sensing systems has yet to be fully explored for geophysical applications. However, development of fiber optic sonar systems for military applications has proven the viability of large multiplexed arrays, and demonstrated advantages which include electrically passive arrays, long term reliability and the potential for operation in very deep ($GTR3000m) water. This paper describes the applications for large scale fiber optic sensing arrays in geophysical metrology. The main applications considered here are ocean bottom cables and streamers for marine seismic, and downwell seismic systems. Systems can require up to several thousand channels and the use of multi- component sensors, which include 3-axis geophones and hydrophones. The paper discusses the specific requirements for each application, and shows how these requirements can be met using a system approach based on time and wavelength multiplexing of interferometric sensors. Experimental and theoretical studies at DERA into the performance of highly multiplexed systems are also described, together with initial development work on fiber optic hydrophones and geophones.