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One technology.
Numerous applications. 

Dispersion Compensation

Proximion's Dispersion Compensation Modules use a long, chirped Fiber Bragg Grating to reverse the chromatic dispersion that affects long-haul fiber network links. The dispersion correction is continuous across the full spectrum and so is channel independent.

With a Proximion DCM added to a network, error-free higher data rates are enabled.

Learn more about Dispersion Compensation

Dispersion Emulation

The same chirped Fiber Bragg Grating technology used in a Proximion Dispersion Compensation Module can be used to create a custom Dispersion Emulation Module (DEM).

Such a custom DEM creates the chromatic dispersion effects of a specific long fiber network and enables a network designer to develop and test the complex DSP algorithms needed for chromatic dispersion management on that network.

Optical Layer Monitoring

Proximion has combined the features of an optical spectrum analyzer and a fast optical channel monitor within WISTOM, the market's most advanced optical layer monitoring product series.

WISTOM allows operators to monitor their networks for performance and security compromises in real time.

Learn more about Optical Layer Monitoring

Sensing applications

Proximion's fiber optic sensor systems are providing value in many applications where one or more of the below unique benefits of Fiber Bragg Grating technology apply. In these cases, Proximion solutions can be used where equivalent, conventional electronic sensing solutions are either impractical or impossible.

  • Highly distributed linear, area or volumetric measurement
  • High measurement speed and accuracy
  • Inherently safe EX operation
  • Insensitive to electro-magnetic fields
  • All optical sensors usable in extreme harsh environments
  • Measurement over large (multi-km) distance
  • Truly miniature sensing fibers
  • One, or few conductors replacing hundreds for traditional electronic installations
  • Lower cost than high-count traditional monitoring

Proximion use cases include monitoring the condition of roller bearings, watching for defects in molten steel as it is cast, and monitoring the thermodynamics inside chemical reactors. Details of many of these use cases must be withheld to preserve our clients' competitive advantage; however, some information is shared below to illustrate the power of a Proximion fiber optic sensing solution.

Close-up of steel production and a hot glowing piece of steel.
Steel
white-paper-rolls
Pulp and paper
chemical-plant
Chemical
airplane-aerospace
Aerospace
rotating-equipment
Rotating equipment
cryogenics
Cryogenics
electrical-cables
Electrical

Steel casting process optimisation

Proximion’s distributed fiberoptic temperature monitoring solutions are being used to optimize the continuous steel casting process.

Pulp and paper

The real-time fluid and stratification levels in tall oil storage tanks are being monitored by Proximion systems to aid sulphate soap extraction.

 

Chemical

Proximion’s solutions have been proven in real
time monitoring and optimization of exothermic chemical reactions

Aerospace

Since 2015, Proximion has been involved in a strategic contract with a Tier1 airframer to supply advanced fiber optical sensors to the aerospace industry based on Proximion's proprietary FBG design and manufacturing technology.

Proximion's cryogenic monitoring capabilities are also being used in the development of future green aircraft fuelled by liquid hydrogen.

Rotating equipment

Proximion are supporting SKF AB with the development and manufacture of fiber optic load sensing integrated into bearings to support the SKF promise to offer reliable rotation to its customers.

See more about the SKF application

Cryogenics

Proximion has developed a unique capability to measure distributed temperatures as low as 20 Kelvin, a capability which is being used in the process and storage of liquid fuels.

Electrical

The electromagnet immunity and non dielectric benefits of Proximion’s technology unlocks use cases it the condition monitoring of the electrical windings or motors, generators and transformers.

Chirped pulse amplification

In certain applications, it is often required to amplify the narrow, high amplitude output of a laser. Such amplification is far easier to achieve if the laser power is first spread into a broader, lower amplitude spectrum.

This can be conveniently done with two chirped FBGs before and after the amplifier, as shown to the right.

Microwave photonics

Microwave photonics is a rapidly developing field that combines photonic devices with high-speed electronics in microwave system applications.

Photonic devices enable the implementation of new functions in microwave systems by utilizing the broad bandwidth, high frequency, and low loss offered by modern photonics. CFBGs can be utilized in developing high-performance microwave photonic filters, ultrafast optical pulses, and time delay beamforming.

Distributed strain or temperature sensing

Quasi-distributed strain and temperature sensing is performed with arrays of different wavelength FBGs at discrete positions. However, in some circumstances a truly distributed measurement is required. Proximion has demonstrated how its long, continuously chirped FBG can provide high resolution distributed strain and/or temperature measurement along its length.

Infra-red spectroscopy

Infra-red spectroscopy identifies the chemical composition of sample matter by analysing the absorption of different light wavelengths. Traditional IR spectrometers can be expensive and sensitive to environmental factors.

An alternative method of time stretched spectroscopy, where the spectral information is encoded into a time series by a long CFBG and then decoded by a single fast photodetector, offer a low cost and highly robust spectrum analyser.

Optical Coherence Tomography

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is a key technique for medical research. OCT benefits from fast imaging and speed increases have been gained using rapidly tuned mechanical optical filters, but to achieve the target speeds of 10 MHz non-mechanical tuning is required.

A Proximion chirped FBG has been proven to be a suitable part of a 9.4 MHz pulsed 1300 nm source of a stretched-pulse active mode-locking (SPML) OCT. 

Learn more in this paper by a Proximion customer