Compact strain fiber sensor based on Fabry-Perot microstructural air cavity

A Fabry-Perot air chamber was prepared at the splicing point of two single-mode fibers by the heating-expansion of liquid glycerin. The morphology of the Fabry-Perot air chamber was optimized by the splicing parameters (drawing process, discharging location, time and intensity) and the fibers' end-face (plane or arc). The in-line Fabry-Perot interferometer was employed to determine the tensile strain from 0 to 1.2 N. A sensitivity of 3.628 nm/N and the resolution of similar to 0.005 N were experimentally demonstrated. The reported Fabry-Perot strain sensor is easy to fabricate, low cost, and flexible to connect with other fibers.

Automated summary

The Fabry-Perot strain sensor prepared through the heating-expansion of liquid glycerin demonstrates high sensitivity and resolution, making it easy to use, low in cost, and flexible to connect with other fibers.