High-resolution photoelastic pressure sensor using low-birefringence fiber

The effect of birefringence induced in a single-mode fiber by a lateral force has been applied to measure the absolute value of force or pressure with high resolution. A sensor configuration with an extended detecting surface has been investigated by means of calibrated weights. The sensor is sensitive to an incremental force of 2 x 10(-3) N, independently of the length of the fiber. The maximum force applied was 10 N/m of fiber length.