Highly sensitive fiber optic temperature and strain sensor based on an intrinsic Fabry-Perot interferometer fabricated by a femtosecond laser.

Abstract

In this Letter, we report on a simple, but highly sensitive sensor based on two intrinsic Fabry-Perot interferometers (FPIs) inscribed in a standard single-mode optical fiber. A brief theoretical study on the Vernier effect is presented, in which a simulation of the sensitivity magnification factor dependence on the FPI's length is performed. Based on the simulation results, the FPIs were fabricated using a custom micromachining setup that integrates a near-infrared femtosecond laser and a motorized XYZ platform. Using the Vernier effect, sensitivities of 145 pm/με and 927 pm/°C were obtained for strain and temperature, respectively. The sensor's performance combined with its versatile and customizable configuration allows real-time and in situ strain and temperature monitoring under harsh environments.