Compact Omnidirectional Multicore Fiber-Based Vector Bending Sensor
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Date
2021-03-16Author
Antonio López, José Enrique
Schulzgen, Axel
Zubia Zaballa, Joseba Andoni
Amezcua Correa, Rodrigo
Villatoro Bernardo, Agustín Joel
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Scientific Reports 11(1) : (2021) // Article ID 5989
Abstract
We propose and demonstrate a compact and simple vector bending sensor capable of distinguishing any direction and amplitude with high accuracy. The sensor consists of a short segment of asymmetric multicore fiber (MCF) fusion spliced to a standard single mode fiber. The reflection spectrum of such a structure shifts and shrinks in specific manners depending on the direction in which the MCF is bent. By monitoring simultaneously wavelength shift and light power variations, the amplitude and bend direction of the MCF can be unmistakably measured in any orientation, from 0 degrees to 360 degrees. The bending sensor proposed here is highly sensitive even for small bending angles (below 1 degrees).