Prototype fiber optic liquid crystalline sensor for pressure monitoring

This paper presents results of initial tests performed on a new prototype fiber optic liquid crystalline sensor for hydrostatic pressure monitoring, which employs pressure-induced deformations in twisted nematic liquid crystal cells. The prototype pressure sensor is based on polarization effects occurring in the reflective configuration of the liquid crystal cells under the Mauguin limit. Results indicate that the prototype sensor offers high response to pressure with reduced temperature sensitivity and, depending on the replaceable liquid crystalline sensing element, can be adjusted for monitoring of low hydrostatic pressures up to 4 MPa.