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Wideband Optical Detector of Ultrasound for Medical Imaging Applications
Published on: May 11, 2014
Embedded fiber-optic Fabry-Perot ultrasound sensor
J J Alcoz1, C E Lee, H F Taylor
1Dept. of Electr. Eng., Texas AandM Univ., College Station, TX.
Summary
A novel fiber-optic ultrasound sensor utilizes a Fabry-Perot interferometer to detect acoustic pressure. This innovation enables precise ultrasound measurements within composite materials, offering a new tool for material analysis.
Area of Science:
- Optoelectronics
- Materials Science
- Acoustics
Background:
- Fiber-optic sensors offer advantages in harsh environments.
- Ultrasound detection is crucial for non-destructive testing and material characterization.
- Existing ultrasound sensing technologies have limitations in certain applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and demonstrate a novel fiber-optic ultrasound sensor.
- To investigate the sensor's performance in composite materials.
- To explore the strain-optic effect for acoustic pressure sensing.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a Fabry-Perot interferometer within a single-mode optical fiber using electric arc fusion splicing and TiO(2) films.
- Embedding the fiber-optic sensor in plastic and graphite composite materials.
- Experimental testing with ultrasound waves ranging from 100 kHz to 5 MHz.
Main Results:
- Successful implementation of a fiber-optic ultrasound sensor.
- Demonstrated modulation of reflected light power due to acoustic pressure via the strain-optic effect.
- Achieved an optical phase shift amplitude of 0.5 rad at 200 kHz for a 1.1-cm interferometer in plastic.
Conclusions:
- The developed fiber-optic sensor effectively detects ultrasound waves.
- The sensor shows promise for integration into composite materials for structural health monitoring.
- The strain-optic effect is a viable mechanism for fiber-optic acoustic sensing.
