Coil-shaped Optical Fiber Sensor for Compression Measurements

¹ Applied Electromagnetism Laboratory, Federal University of Pará, R. Augusto Corrêa, 01, Belém, Brazil
² Laboratory of Photonics, Military Institute of Engineering, Praça Gen. Tibúrcio, 80, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
³ Dept. of Physics and Astronomy, Faculty of Sciences of U.Porto, R. do Campo Alegre, 687, Porto, Portugal
⁴ Inst. for Systems and Computer Engineering, Technology and Science, R. do Campo Alegre, 687, Porto, Portugal
⁵ Polytech. Inst. of Viana do Castelo, R. Escola Industrial e Comercial de Nun’Álvares, Viana do Castelo, Portugal

^* romeiro.amanda@gmail.com, victorcard@ufpa.br

Published online: 15 October 2024

Abstract

This study investigated the effectiveness of a coil-shaped optical fiber interferometric sensor, with a diameter of 13 mm, for measuring compression. The sensor’s design utilizes the principles of interferometry to create a pattern that changes with applied pressure. This configuration significantly amplifies the sensor’s sensitivity to compression due to the extended optical path length within the compact form factor. The experimental results demonstrated that even small compressive forces caused detectable alterations in the interference pattern, allowing for precise quantification of pressure changes. The 13 mm diameter proved to be particularly advantageous, providing a balance between sensitivity and practical integration into various systems, from structural health monitoring to biomedical devices. This study also highlights the sensor’s robustness against electromagnetic interference and environmental variations, attributing this to the intrinsic properties of optical fiber. Overall, the findings suggest that coil-shaped optical fiber interferometric sensors are highly effective for accurate and reliable compression sensing, with potential for broad application across multiple industries.