Side-hole cane waveguide sensor

摘要

A side-hole optical cane for measuring pressure and/or temperature is disclosed. The side-hole cane has a light guiding core containing a sensor and a cladding containing symmetrical side-holes extending substantially parallel to the core. The side-holes cause an asymmetric stress across the core of the sensor creating a birefringent sensor. The sensor, preferably a Bragg grating, reflects a first and second wavelength each associated with orthogonal polarization vectors, wherein the degree of separation between the two is proportional to the pressure exerted on the core. The side-hole cane structure self-compensates and is insensitive to temperature variations when used as a pressure sensor, because temperature induces an equal shift in both the first and second wavelengths. Furthermore, the magnitude of these shifts can be monitored to deduce temperature, hence providing the side-hole cane additional temperature sensing capability that is unaffected by pressure. Additionally, the side-hole cane can be used to measure a differential pressure between a first pressure ported to the side-holes and a second external pressure.

主权项

1. An apparatus for measuring a differential pressure, comprising:
an optical cane waveguide having first and second ends, comprising:
a core; anda cladding surrounding the core, the cladding comprising an outer surface and containing at least two side-holes parallel to the core; a cap abutting the first end; and a housing comprising:
a first porthole in fluid communication with the side-holes at the second end via a first volume; anda second porthole in fluid communication with the outer surface of the cladding via a second volume.