Comparative analysis of distributed acoustic sensing responses across different optical fiber types for engineering geological exploration

Abstract Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) has emerged as a revolutionary technology in seismic exploration, offering a novel approach to data acquisition. Despite its widespread adoption, the deployment of DAS in surface engineering exploration faces significant challenges, particularly concerning signal-to-noise ratio limitations and spatial resolution constraints. We conduct a comparative analysis of DAS responses using various types of optical fibers commonly employed for sensing purposes. We evaluate fibers of type A (tight-buffered fiber and strain-sensitive fiber) and type B (communication optical fiber, loose tube optical fiber, and temperature measurement optical fiber), as well as fibers in a helical configuration with different armoring materials. The deployment of optical fibers for this comparison includes both surface layouts and borehole integrations. Conventional geophones and hydrophones serve as benchmarks to contextualize the analysis and validate the performance of the DAS system data. This comparative approach highlights the utility of DAS for engineering seismic prospecting.