Ba. Grzybowski et al., Thermally actuated interferometric sensors based on the thermal expansion of transparent elastomeric media, REV SCI INS, 70(4), 1999, pp. 2031-2037
In this article the fabrication and characterization of two thermally actua
ted optical devices for the measurement of temperature and power are descri
bed. A transparent polymer having a high coefficient of thermal expansion-p
oly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS)-was used as the temperature- sensitive medium.
Changes in the dimensions of the polymer on heating caused the observed op
tical responses of both devices. The temperature sensor based on the Fabry-
Perot cavity measures temperature differences to a precision of 0.005 degre
es C within the linear working ranges of the device. The power sensor uses
the architecture of a Mach-Zender interferometer; it is suitable for measur
ements of powers in them W/cm(2) range, delivered optically to the surface
of the device in the visible wavelength region. The devices are inexpensive
, easy to fabricate, and mechanically rugged. They offer alternatives to ot
her sensors for measuring temperature and power. (C) 1999 American Institut
e of Physics. [S0034-6748(99)05004-2].