Optical pressure sensor based on the combined system of a variable liquid lens and a point diffraction interferometer

Area of Science:

• Optics
• Sensor Technology
• Interferometry

Background:

• Accurate pressure measurement is crucial in various scientific and industrial applications.
• Existing optical pressure sensors often face limitations in dynamic range and complexity.
• Variable liquid lenses offer a promising platform for novel sensor designs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and demonstrate an efficient optical pressure sensor.
• To utilize a variable liquid lens and a modified point diffraction interferometer for pressure sensing.
• To achieve adjustable dynamic ranges and high accuracy in pressure measurements.

Main Methods:

• The sensor operates by correlating pressure-induced changes in liquid lens curvature and focal length.
• Interferometric imaging is employed to track and measure these optical changes.
• The dynamic range is adjusted through simple axial movement of optical components.

Main Results:

• The sensor demonstrated performance across three distinct working ranges: 0-1 kPa (0.01 kPa accuracy), 0-7 kPa (0.05 kPa accuracy), and 0-30 kPa (0.3 kPa accuracy).
• The system's ability to adjust its dynamic range was experimentally validated.
• The proposed method provides a robust and efficient approach to optical pressure sensing.

Conclusions:

• The developed optical pressure sensor offers an efficient and adaptable solution for pressure measurement.
• The combination of a variable liquid lens and point diffraction interferometry enables precise and tunable pressure sensing.
• This technology has potential applications in fields requiring accurate and flexible pressure monitoring.