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Lifetime of Fiber Bragg Grating Sensors - FBG Probes and Probes' Normal Usage Duration
This article discusses the longest lifetime of fiber bragg grating (FBG) sensors we've known, and introduces the OFSCN® Capillary Seamless Steel Tube Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors (FBG probes, FBG probes) by utilizing a patented all-metal packaging structure. The patented all-metal packaging structure enhances the encapsulation protection for FBG and FBG string/array connection. This leads to the inference that these FBG sensors (FBG temperature, strain, and stress sensors) have an undoubtedly long lifetime.
1. Lifetime of Traditional Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) Sensors
Fiber bragg grating sensors (temperature, strain, and stress sensors) have only been in existence for a few decades, and various packaging types and structures have been continuously evolving. Therefore, it is challenging to provide an exact widely accepted lifetime for fiber bragg grating sensors based on historical usage.
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From now on, the longest-used fiber bragg grating sensor I am aware of was produced 20 years ago, which is a fiber bragg grating temperature sensor. It was primarily used for experiments in a friend's laboratory rather than continuous temperature measurement in the field. Nonetheless, achieving a 20-year lifespan is remarkable, considering the packaging structure from two decades ago, which contained various materials (for an analysis of traditional structure fiber bragg grating sensors, please refer to the following article:"Introduction of OFSCN® Capillary Seamless Steel Tube Fiber Bragg Grating Sensors").
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2. Tracking the normal usage duration of OFSCN® Capillary Seamless Steel Tube Fiber Bragg Grating Sensors (FBG probes, FBG probes)
The physical realization of the OFSCN® Capillary Seamless Steel Tube Fiber Bragg Grating Sensors has not exceeded one year (as of June 2019, the time of writing this document). This product has been used by many customers, and no reports of damages have been received. We will continue to monitor its performance.
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OFSCN® Capillary Seamless Steel Tube Fiber Bragg Grating Sensors adopt a stainless steel seamless tube packaging, which completely isolates the fiber bragg grating and its series connection from the surrounding air, moisture, humidity, and water, providing excellent protection.
Therefore, unless the usage environment exceeds the specified temperature range or the sensor experiences external mechanical damage, its lifetime should be relatively long. However, we cannot provide an exact opinion on how long the lifetime of OFSCN® Capillary Seamless Steel Tube Fiber Bragg Grating Sensors can be. After all, practice is the ultimate test for any theory.
Update as of July 8, 2020:
To date, all fiber bragg grating sensors sold by DCYS have been used normally without any damages reported.
Our philosophy is: "OFSCN®, make optical fiber stronger!"
DCYS is a professional fiber bragg grating sensor manufacturer, providing information such as the service life of FBG temperature sensors, the use time of FBG strain sensors, the working time of FBG stress sensors, and the advantages of FBG sensors; FBG sensor brand with long life is "OFSCN".