In this article we present experimental demonstrations of a self-writing polymer waveguide strain sensor that can selfrepair
after failure. The original sensor is fabricated between two multi-mode optical fibers by ultraviolet (UV)
lightwaves in the photopolymerizable resin system via a self-writing process. After the original sensor fails, the repaired
sensor is grown from the existing waveguide to bridge the gap between the two optical fibers. Multiple self-repairs of a
single sensor were demonstrated. When the sensor was packaged within a polyimide capillary, the cyclic response
showed almost no hysteresis and the response over the entire strain range was monotonic.
This article presents experimental demonstrations of a self-repairing strain sensor waveguide created by self-writing in a
photopolymerizable resin system. The sensor fabricates between two multi-mode optical fibers via lightwaves in the
ultraviolet (UV) wavelength range and operates as a sensor through interrogation of the power transmitted through the
waveguide in the infrared (IR) wavelength range. After failure of the sensor occurs due to loading, the waveguide rebridges
the gap between the two optical fibers through the UV resin. The response of the original sensor and the selfrepaired
sensor to strain are measured and show similar behaviors.
This article presents experimental demonstrations of a self-writing waveguide in a photopolymerizable resin system. The
waveguide will be embedded in a structure and serve as a self-repairing strain sensor. The sensor would fabricate via
lightwaves in the ultraviolet (UV) wavelength range and operate as a sensor in the infrared (IR) wavelength range.
Optimized self-written waveguides are obtained by varying the input UV laser power and testing the repeatability of the
waveguide fabrication between two optical fibers. An IR laser output is then transmitted between two MM fibers during
the fabrication process to quantify the response of the self-repaired optical sensor by measuring the transmitted IR
power. The IR power is successfully transmitted through a self-written waveguide; however problems with optical fiber
alignment and bending of the waveguide can induce loss of IR transmission.
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.