Design Evaluation of a High Birefringence Single Mode Optical Fiber-Based Sensor for Lateral Pressure Monitoring Applications

This paper reports an analysis of the design and potential of a fiber optic-based sensor designed to monitor lateral pressure, and with the birefringence characteristics of a polarization-maintaining fiber, enabling the measurement of a transverse force applied to the fiber. This evaluation involves the consideration of several key parameters of the system, including the effect of the fiber structure, the magnitude and the direction of the applied external force that can be sensed, and the fiber length used, a combination of which determines the pressure sensitivity of the fiber when it is used as a pressure sensor. In the system design, to interrogate the birefringence variation of the sensor when it is subjected to the force causing the transverse pressure variation, the fiber loop mirror technique is employed following the results of an analysis using mode-coupling theory. The design created in this paper is based on sound theoretical principles and is generic and thus suitable for use with any fiber structure with high birefringence, for sensor applications. The data obtained from this design study are in good agreement with those from an experimental verification carried out, demonstrating its suitability for measurements of pressure and applied forces through an appropriate and tailored sensor based around exploiting the properties of high birefringence fibers.