Sensor and disturbance measurement method using the same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a sensor or the like having a structure that enables accurate temperature measurement in a wide temperature range including a low-temperature region and is suitable for independently and accurately determining temperature variations and strains appearing in an object to be measured. The sensor comprises a laser light source, a sensor section that has a plurality of waveguides transmitting a laser light from the laser light source therethrough, a detecting section, and an analyzing section. The detecting section detects a plurality of Brillouin spectra obtained from the sensor section. The analyzing section determines at least one measurement value of a temperature in the sensor section and a strain generated in the sensor section, based on fluctuations of parameters defining the respective detected Brillouin spectra. In particular, the sensor section has a structure such that the variation of the Brillouin spectrum in response to a disturbance differs between the waveguides. Thus, by simultaneously monitoring the Brillouin spectra that varying a different manner in a plurality of waveguides, it is possible not only to measure accurately the temperature in a wide temperature range including a low-temperature region, but also to make distinction between the strain and temperature.