Optical fiber sensors having long active lengths, systems, and methods

US8655117B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• University of Maribor · SI

Inventors

• Denis Donlagic · Maribor, SI
• Simon Pevec · Rogaška Slatina, SI
• Edvard Cibula · Ptuj, SI

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 11, 2011
• Grant date: Feb 18, 2014
• Expiry date: Sep 14, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01B2290/25
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Optical fiber sensors adapted to measure strain or pressure are disclosed. The optical fiber sensor has a lead-in optical fiber having an end surface at a forward end, and a first optical element having a body with an outer dimension, Do, a front end surface coupled to the lead-in optical fiber, a pedestal including a retracted surface that is spaced from the front end surface, the retracted surface at least partially defining an optical cavity, a gutter surrounding the pedestal, the gutter having a gutter depth defining an active region of length, L, the first optical element further exhibiting L/Do≧0.5. Also provided are systems including the optical fiber sensor, and methods for manufacturing and using the optical fiber sensor. Numerous other aspects are provided.