Abstract

We designed and developed a Lab on fiber sensor for seismic monitoring applications. The sensor is composed of a micro-opto-mechanical cavity on the fibre tip, forming an extrinsic Fabry-Perot cavity with the fibre end facet. The micromechanical structure, featuring a dual-beam cantilever with a proof mass, was designed to exhibit competitive performance with commercial seismic accelerometers. The sensor response was first characterized in laboratory. To demonstrate the sensor capability to operate in a realistic seismic surveillance system, the developed sensors were continuously used in combination with a commercial seismic sensing network for several weeks. During the trial, the fibre optic sensor accurately sensed and registered the ground acceleration associated with the seismic sequence that struck central Italy on 2016.

© 2018 The Author(s)