Dynamic pressure sensing with a side-hole birefringent optical fiber.

Area of Science:

• Optoelectronics and Sensor Technology
• Fiber Optics
• Metrology

Background:

• Accurate dynamic pressure measurement is crucial in various scientific and industrial applications.
• Traditional pressure sensors face limitations in harsh environments or for specific measurement ranges.
• Optical fiber sensing offers potential advantages due to its immunity to electromagnetic interference and remote sensing capabilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a novel dynamic pressure sensor utilizing a birefringent side-hole optical fiber.
• To investigate the feasibility of an interferopolarimetric method for dynamic pressure sensing.
• To assess the performance of the developed sensor within a specific pressure range.

Main Methods:

• A birefringent side-hole optical fiber was employed as the sensing element.
• An interferopolarimetric technique was utilized for signal transduction.
• A superluminescent diode was used as the light source, producing white-light-type interferograms.
• Experiments were conducted using standard commercial electronics.

Main Results:

• The optical fiber sensor successfully measured dynamic pressure in the range of 10(-2) to 10(3) Pascal (Pa).
• The sensor's measurements showed good agreement with two calibrated piezoelectric dynamic pressure sensors.
• The use of a superluminescent diode enabled white-light interferometry compatible with coherence multiplexing.

Conclusions:

• The proposed interferopolarimetric method with a birefringent side-hole optical fiber is a viable technique for dynamic pressure measurement.
• The sensor demonstrates good accuracy and performance within the tested pressure range.
• The system's compatibility with standard electronics and coherence multiplexing enhances its practical applicability.