Development of a polarimetric optical fiber sensor for electronic measurement of high pressure

The theoretical understanding of the principle of pressure-induced polarization coupling is discussed, and the improved construction, operation, and temperature desensitization of a high-pressure (up to 100 MPa) fiber-optic sensor in two configurations is described. The sensor exploits the effect of polarization coupling between two orthogonally polarized eigenmodes of a highly birefringent, polarization-preserving optical fiber which serves as the sensing element. An idea of temperature desensitization of the sensor output signal is demonstrated. The requirements for an electronic measurement system based on the sensor are discussed, including indentification of the parametric and functional specifications and constraints of such a system.>