FIBEROPTIC STRAIN-DISPLACEMENT SENSOR EMPLOYING NONLINEAR BUCKLING

A new class of intrinsic fiber-optic strain-displacement sensors based on the precisely controlled nonlinear buckling of optical fibers and the resulting optical bend loss is introduced. A multimode fiber versi on of the sensor is described that exhibits a sensing range convenient for many structural monitoring applications (<100 nm to several milli meters). linear response over a wide range of displacements, and excel lent repeatability. It is extremely simple to fabricate and employs in expensive optoelectronics. A high-temperature version of the sensor is capable of operation at temperatures as high as 600 degrees C. (C) 19 97 Optical Society of America.