Stress homogenization effect in multicore fiber optic bending sensors

Area of Science:

• Optical Fiber Sensing
• Materials Science and Engineering
• Applied Physics

Background:

• Fiber optic bending sensors are commonly tested under compression-bending loads.
• Understanding stress distribution in optical fibers is critical for sensor performance, especially in multicore fibers where stress can vary significantly between cores.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the stress distribution in optical fibers subjected to compression-bending loads.
• To investigate the phenomenon of stress homogenization with increasing bending.
• To provide a simplified approach for assessing multicore fiber optic bending sensors.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing column theory for stress analysis.
• Conducting experimental validation with a three-coupled-core multicore optical fiber.
• Comparing results with existing experimental data on other multicore fibers.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated progressive stress homogenization across the optical fiber as bending increases.
• Identified a homogeneous stress regime dominated by bending.
• Observed stress homogenization effects consistent across different multicore fiber configurations.

Conclusions:

• The study provides a foundational understanding of stress homogenization in bent optical fibers.
• The developed approach simplifies the analysis of multicore fiber optic bending sensors.
• This work facilitates more accurate performance assessments of spectrally operated fiber sensors without extensive simulations.