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Extrinsic optical-fiber ultrasound sensor using a thin polymer film as a low-finesse Fabry-Perot interferometer
Applied Optics
|November 12, 2010
Summary
This study introduces an optical-fiber ultrasound sensor using a polymer film Fabry-Perot cavity. It shows performance comparable to traditional hydrophones, offering a flexible alternative for ultrasound detection.
Area of Science:
- Photonics
- Acoustics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Ultrasound detection typically relies on piezoelectric devices.
- Existing technologies may have limitations in sensitivity, bandwidth, or design flexibility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the theoretical and experimental aspects of an extrinsic optical-fiber ultrasound sensor.
- To evaluate its performance against established piezoelectric hydrophones.
Main Methods:
- Developed an optical-fiber sensor using a thin polymer film as a low-finesse Fabry-Perot cavity.
- Mounted the cavity at the end of a multimode optical fiber.
- Compared sensor performance to a polyvinylidene dinuoride-membrane (PVDP) hydrophone.
Main Results:
- Achieved sensitivity comparable to PVDP hydrophones (61 mV/MPa).
- Demonstrated an acoustic noise floor of 2.3 KPa over a 25-MHz bandwidth.
- Exhibited a frequency response extending to 25 MHz.
Conclusions:
- The optical-fiber sensor offers wideband sensitivity and design flexibility.
- It presents a potential alternative to piezoelectric devices for ultrasound detection and measurement.
