POLARIMETRIC OPTICAL-FIBER WEIGHT SENSOR

We present the design of a weight sensor which is based on the polarim etric properties of optical fiber. Our design consists of an optical f iber embedded between two metallic plates with a hole filled with epox y. Both high and low birefringence fibers are investigated. Our experi mental results compare very well to theory. The optical power conserva tion law is used to check the accuracy of the measurement. The fiber o ptical sensors using low birefringence fibers are calibrated to measur e a weight up to 12 metric tons. The sensitivity of the sensors and it s dependence on parameters such as the epoxy hole size and the sensing length are discussed. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reser ved.