AXIAL AND ANGULAR DISPLACEMENT FIBEROPTIC SENSOR

An intensity-based fiber-optic sensor for measuring axial and angular displacement has been designed and tested in a controlled laboratory e nvironment. In addition, a mathematical model allowing the simultaneou s calculation of the three desired parameters needed to characterize t he tilt and the position of a surface under investigation is described . Preliminary tests show good agreement between the theory and the exp erimental results and show the sensor's potential for application in t he manufacturing industry for position and vibration control. The sens or shows significant improvement in angular range over previously repo rted methods. An axial displacement range of 2 mm, with an accuracy of 40 mu m, and an angular displacement range of 40 mrad, with an accura cy of 0.5 mrad, are demonstrated. Suggestions for further improvement of the range and the sensitivity of the sensor are also described. (C) 1998 Optical Society of America.