Simplifying the design of microstructured optical fibre pressure sensors

Abstract In this paper, we propose a way to simplify the design of microstructured optical fibres with high sensitivity to applied pressure. The use of a capillary fibre with an embedded core allows the exploration of the pressure-induced material birefringence due to the capillary wall displacement...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Jonas H. Osório, Giancarlo Chesini, Valdir A. Serrão, Marcos A. R. Franco, Cristiano M. B. Cordeiro
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Publishing Group 2017-06-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-03206-w
Description
Summary:Abstract In this paper, we propose a way to simplify the design of microstructured optical fibres with high sensitivity to applied pressure. The use of a capillary fibre with an embedded core allows the exploration of the pressure-induced material birefringence due to the capillary wall displacements and the photoelastic effect. An analytical description of pressure-induced material birefringence is provided, and fibre modal characteristics are explored through numerical simulations. Moreover, a capillary fibre with an embedded core is fabricated and used to probe pressure variations. Even though the embedded-core fibre has a non-optimized structure, measurements showed a pressure sensitivity of (1.04 ± 0.01) nm/bar, which compares well with more complex, specially designed fibre geometries reported in the literature. These results demonstrate that this geometry enables a novel route towards the simplification of microstructured fibre-based pressure sensors.
ISSN:2045-2322