Fire frequency analysis in Portugal (1975-2005), using Landsat-based burnt area maps

Fire frequency in 21 forest planning regions of Portugal during the period 1975–2005 was estimated from historical burnt area maps generated with semi-automatic classification of Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) satellite imagery. Fire return interval distributions were modelled with the Weibull function and the estimated parameters were used to calculate regional mean, median and modal fire return intervals, as well as regional hazard functions. Arrangement of the available data into three different time series allowed for assessment of the effects of minimum mapping unit, time series length and use of censored data on the Weibull function parameter estimates. Varying the minimum mapping unit between 5 and 35 ha had a negligible effect on parameter estimates, whereas changing the time series length from 22 to 31 years substantially affected the estimates. However, the strongest effect was caused by censored data. Its exclusion led to substantial overestimation of fire frequency and of burning probability dependence on fuel age. We estimated a countrywide mean fire interval of 36 years and an annual burnt area of 1.2%. Regional variations in fire frequency descriptors were interpreted in terms of land cover and land use practices that affect the contemporary fire regime in Portugal

Hermetic carbon coatings for electro-thermal all-fiber phase modulators

Joule effect and thermal response of several carbon-coated fibers are modelled and analysed. An electro-thermally driven all-fiber phase modulator based on these principles is proposed and a proof of concept of it is characterized. This kind of fibers could be the basis for developing all-fiber components aimed to operate in environments where the strength increase and impermeability to hydrogen diffusion guaranteed by the carbon coating is crucial.European CommissionMinisterio de Economía y CompetitividadComunidad de Madri

Hermetic All-Fiber Phase Modulators Using Joule Heating in Carbon-Coated Fibers

26ª edición del congreso internacional Optical Fiber Sensors (OFS26), 24/09/2018-28/09/2018, Lausanne, Suiza.Certain applications of fiber sensors (e.g. avionics, oil industry) imply extreme operating conditions spurring the development of hermetic all-fiber devices. We present a hermetic all-fiber phase modulator based on Joule heating in a carbon-coated fiber.European CommissionMinisterio de Economía y CompetitividadComunidad de Madri