This work presents a novel fiber optic Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) sensor that can measure curvature due to its structure. This structure employs a 2-section MZI filter constructed from SMF-28 fiber using the core offset technique. The source in the 1480-1600 nm range shows intermodal energy interference between the core and the cladding and exhibits six spacing notches for sensing applications. The sensibility obtained was of 0.00018 nm/uW when curvature is applied. However, by including a thin film based on Zinc Oxide (ZnO) and another with Aluminum-doped zinc oxide (AZO) in the sensing arrangement, an increase in the sensitivity was detected with a value of 0.00015 nm/uW and 0.00016 nm/uW, respectively. This sensor can be used for applications in various fields, such as environmental monitoring, engineering, and process control.
In-line fiber Mach-Zehnder interferometers have become more popular than traditional electric sensors because of their small size, low cost, easy fabrication, resistance to electromagnetic interference, durability against extreme environments, and ease of use. This paper discusses the development, characteristics, and properties of a curvature-based Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI). The MZI comprises a filter made by splicing core-offset sections of a special mode fiber (SSMF) with a cladding diameter of 70 μm in an SMF-SSMF-SMF-SSMF-SMF (1m/25mm/30mm/25mm/1m) configuration. The SSMF splices act as the arms of the MZI, while the mismatch diameter sections serve as optical fiber couplers. The MZI was characterized by measuring the optical spectrum response when a broadband source of 1537.5 to 1600 nm was launched with a power of 10 dBm to transmit light through the arrangement. The optical spectrum analyzer (OSA) detects the transmitted light and analyzes its optical transmission characteristics, showing 5 notches of modal interferences into the longitude region. As a result of the experimental arrangement, the displacement and curvature sensitivities are 0.003 nm/μm and 0.509 nm/μm-1, respectively. The proposed sensor has potential advantages for measuring refractive index, pH, torsion, curvature, and temperature.
Access to the requested content is limited to institutions that have purchased or subscribe to SPIE eBooks.
You are receiving this notice because your organization may not have SPIE eBooks access.*
*Shibboleth/Open Athens users─please
sign in
to access your institution's subscriptions.
To obtain this item, you may purchase the complete book in print or electronic format on
SPIE.org.
INSTITUTIONAL Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.
PERSONAL Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.