Distributed humidity sensing based on Rayleigh scattering in polymer optical fibers

In this document a new distributed sensor based on Rayleigh scattering in polymer optical fibers (POF) is proposed and first measurement results of the proposed sensor are shown. Different from Silica glas optical fibers POF absorb high quantities of water resulting in a change of their molecular structure and thereby reducing the present small scattering centers in areas of high humidity. The interdependence between scattering intensity and relative humidity is being investigated in case of steady cycles as well as stepwise changes of humidity and in the presence of moisture. A quantitative measure of humidity and scattering is presented.