High sensitivity strain sensors based on single-mode-fiber core-offset Mach-Zehnder interferometers. (August 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Avila-Garcia, Maria Susana; Bianchetti, Marco; Le Corre, Ronan; Guevel, Alexis; Mata-Chavez, Ruth Ivonne; Sierra-Hernandez, Juan Manuel; Jauregui-Vazquez, Daniel; Reyes-Ayona, José Roberto; Estudillo-Ayala, Julian Moises; Rojas-Laguna, Roberto
• Is Part Of: Optics and lasers in engineering. Volume 107(2018)
• Page Start: 202
• Page End: 206
• Publication Date: 2018-08
• Subjects: Mach–Zehnder -- Interferometer -- Strain sensor -- Single mode fiber; Lasers in engineering -- Periodicals; Optical measurements -- Periodicals; Optics -- Periodicals; Lasers en ingénierie -- Périodiques; Mesures optiques -- Périodiques; Optique -- Périodiques; 621.36605
• DOI: 10.1016/j.optlaseng.2018.02.008
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0143-8166

Abstract

Highlights: High sensitivity strain sensor. Single-mode fiber core-offset Mach–Zehnder interferometers. Geometry controlled and splice-only Mach–Zehnder interferometers. Abstract: Mach–Zehnder interferometers make highly sensitive sensors of physical quantities based on the accumulated phase difference between two or more optical paths. In this work, the application of single-mode-fiber core-offset Mach–Zehnder interferometers as strain sensors is reported. Three in-line modal Mach–Zehnder interferometers were manufactured by splicing three pieces of single mode fiber with well-defined offset and orientation of the cores and a well-defined length of its middle section. These interferometers were characterized as strain sensors, and a maximum sensitivity of 7.46 pm/µε was obtained over the linear range 0–1754 µε. Compared to other strain sensors, the ones reported in this work achieve a high sensitivity using inexpensive single mode fiber and an easy manufacturing process.