An S-Shaped Core M-Z Interferometer Induced by Arc-Discharging for Strain Sensing
Xiaoyang Li,
Jiarui Chen,
Shengjia Wang,
Yongjun Liu,
Tao Geng
Affiliations
Xiaoyang Li
Key Laboratory of Photonic Materials and Devices Physics for Oceanic Applications, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China, College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001, China
Jiarui Chen
Key Laboratory of Photonic Materials and Devices Physics for Oceanic Applications, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China, College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001, China
Shengjia Wang
Key Laboratory of Photonic Materials and Devices Physics for Oceanic Applications, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China, College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001, China
Yongjun Liu
Key Laboratory of Photonic Materials and Devices Physics for Oceanic Applications, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China, College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001, China
Tao Geng
Key Laboratory of Photonic Materials and Devices Physics for Oceanic Applications, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China, College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001, China
In this study, a kind of in-fiber Mach–Zehnder interferometer (MZI) is designed and experimentally examined. The MZI is composed of two in-fiber S-shaped cores (SSCs), which enhance strain sensitivity. To prepare the SSCs, a high-frequency CO2 laser is first utilized to polish grooves on the symmetrical surface of a single-mode fiber (SMF). The polished area is then subjected to arc-discharging by a commercial fusion splicer, and the core of the fiber bends towards the polished grooves due to the self-roundness of the cladding and the heating effect of discharge. The results of the experiments demonstrate that the sensor achieves high strain sensitivities of −66.5 pm/με and −40.1 pm/με within the strain range of 0 με to 350 με. By solving the matrix equation, simultaneous online measurements of temperature and strain can be performed. With the advantages of easy fabrication, low cost, high sensitivity, and compactness, the proposed sensor is a competitive candidate in strain sensing.
