Miniaturized fiber-optic Michelson-type interferometric sensors.

Area of Science:

• Photonics and optical sensing technologies.
• Interferometry and sensor development.
• Materials science for optical coatings.

Background:

• Traditional Michelson interferometers are susceptible to temperature drifts, limiting their stability and application range.
• Miniaturization of fiber-optic sensors is crucial for diverse sensing applications.
• Accurate detection of surface acoustic waves, microdisplacements, and magnetic fields requires robust sensing platforms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a miniaturized Michelson-type fiber-optic interferometric sensor.
• To enhance sensor stability by minimizing temperature drift effects.
• To demonstrate the sensor's capability in detecting various physical parameters.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a fused-biconical tapered fiber coupler.
• Selective coating of one fiber core with a reflective surface to create a reference arm.
• Utilizing the second fiber core as the sensing arm for detecting surface acoustic waves, microdisplacements, and magnetic fields.
• Characterization of sensor performance and stability against temperature variations.

Main Results:

• The novel sensor exhibits relative insensitivity to temperature drifts.
• Successful detection of surface acoustic waves, microdisplacements, and magnetic fields was achieved.
• High stability was demonstrated compared to classic homodyne, uncompensated Michelson interferometers.
• Signal-to-noise ratios of 65 dB were obtained, indicating high sensitivity.

Conclusions:

• The developed miniaturized fiber-optic sensor offers a stable and sensitive platform for multiple sensing applications.
• The sensor design effectively mitigates temperature-induced errors, improving reliability.
• This technology holds promise for advanced optical sensing in various fields requiring precise measurements.