Highly sensitive strain sensor based on tapered few-mode fiber

Abstract

A high sensitivity strain sensor using a sandwich structure of “single mode fiber (SMF)—few mode fiber (FMF)—single mode fiber (SMF)” was proposed and experimentally validated. The designed sensor is achieved by splicing a segment of FMF between two segments of SMFs, and then using a fiber optic fusion tapering machine to double the length of FMF. Introducing tapered optical fibers into the structure to excite more evanescent waves improves the sensitivity of the sensor to the surrounding environment. In addition, due to the fact that the FMF is tapered into a very fine shape, the tensile stress applied to the FMF will increase. Therefore, conical FMF has excellent stress concentration ability, which is easily deformed under stress, thus achieving a high strain sensitivity of −23.9 pm/με. Finally, a cascaded FBG was used to compensate for the temperature cross-sensitivity of the sensor. This strain sensor with an extremely simple structure and high sensitivity has wide application value in the industry.