Acceleration and Strain

Interferometers are widely used in

science and industry for the
measurement of small
displacements, refractive index
changes and surface irregularities

 Interferometry makes use of the principle

of superposition to combine waves in a
way that will cause the result of their
combination to have some meaningful
property that is diagnostic of the original
state of the waves.
This works because when two waves with
the same frequency combine, the resulting
intensity pattern is determined by the
phase difference between the two waves
waves that are in phase will undergo
constructive interference while waves that
are out of phase will undergo destructive
interference.

Fiber Optic Accelerometer

A fiber optic accelerometer can
replace an application where the
conventional metal accelerometer
will not work.
These sensors are designed to work
in harsh environments.
This includes gas and oil drilling, and
large generators and electric motors.

 With two shutters, it allows a differential

acceleration measurement.
Each shutter is designed to couple half of
the light from the input of the fiber with
the output of the fiber through the air gap
at zero acceleration.
Depending on which way the acceleration
is detected, the mass will be displaced to
either the left or right.
For example, when the mass is displaced
left, the coupling between the two left
fibers is decreased, which allows more
light to be couple between the optical
fibers on the right side.

Fiber Bragg Grating

Fiber Bragg grating is a type of
distributed Bragg reflector that is
created within segments of an optical
fiber.
It reflects particular wavelengths of
light, and it transmits all other
wavelengths. To do this, is creates
periodic variations in the refractive
index of core of the fiber.

 When the grating is done on the inside

of an optical fiber, wavelengths that
satisfy the Bragg condition are reflected,
while
all
other
wavelengths
are
transmitted.
When the fiber is exposed to strain, both
the spacing between the gratings and
the refractive index will change.
This strain causes changes in the
reflected beams wavelength.
It also modulates the reflected beam
proportional to the strain

FBG-based
Accelerometers
FBG sensors can be used as an

accelerometer.
There is a mechanical mass that is couple
with any acceleration.
Depending on the amount of acceleration,
there is a resulting wavelength shift.
Acceleration is measured by the FBG sensor
as the mass applies a force onto the optical
fiber.
This change in inertia causes a strain on the
fiber.

 The ability to measure a wavelength

shift using a FBG-based
accelerometer is similar to
measuring voltage change in a
standard accelerometer.

Fiber Optic Strain Gauges

Fiber optic strain gauges can be used
when a more conventional type of
strain gauge cannot be used.
These sensors can also be based on
Bragg gratings.
This means that they can potentially
be
used
in
highly
explosive
atmospheres and are insensitive to
electromagnetic fields.

 They also do not suffer mechanical

failure of
sensor material when undergoing
extreme
vibration.
Because these sensors can withstand
harsh environments, they are ideal for
detecting strain within tunnel linings,
bridges, and various struts and bracing.

 When stressed, the period of the

wavelength is increased because of
the physical stretching of the fiber.
In turn, this causes a shift in the
Bragg wavelength.