Water absorption effects on distributed temperature sensing using polyimide-coated optical fiber

Polyimide-coated fibers are becoming more popular for distributed temperature sensing (DTS) because this coating can withstand much higher temperatures than the standard acrylate coating. As a hygroscopic material, polyimide can absorb water from the air, changing its properties, which may result in a modified temperature response of the sensing fiber. This study investigates the effect of water absorption on the performance of polyimide-coated optical fibers with different sizes and properties. The thermal response of these fibers was determined experimentally from 20°C to 90°C at a broad relative humidity level ranging from 10% to 90%. The results show that all the fibers experienced a decrease in temperature sensitivity as humidity increased, with the most noticeable non-linear spectral shift observed at higher humidity levels. These findings highlight the importance of optimizing fiber design and coating properties to balance stability and sensitivity, ensuring the reliable performance of DTS systems under extreme environmental conditions.