Stable miniaturised self-aligned fibre optic fabry-perot cavities for sensor applications

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Project objective

Research objectives and content The aim of this project is to improve the miniaturisability, manufacturability, and stability of fibre-optic based interferometric temperature and vibration sensors by the procedure of fusing a glass fibre to a substrate rod. This will be performed with minor modifications to a fused biconical tapered coupler fabrication facility. The cavity will then be formed by micro-sawing out a notch from the fibre, or by simply cleaving the fibre, leaving the substrate intact to support the cavity in its self-aligned state. The dimensions of the notch may be varied to suit the application The device will operate as a sensor by mechanically vibrating, or thermally expanding or deforming. Mechanical vibration leads to opening and closing of the gap by small amounts. Because the device will work interferometrically, very small movements may be detected even with low-reflectivity surfaces. The small movements in fibre face angle are not envisaged to affect significantly cavity losses. Deformation due to thermal expansion will similarly cause the cavity width to change. Other procedures such as metallisation to form mirror surfaces will also be explored. Training content (objective, benefit and expected impact) The technical impact is expected to be a new type of sensor element of interest to European industry and research communities. The project will help me further my work on the development of optical fibre devices and sensors, as well as introduce me to new applications from mechanical engineering, such as vibration and thermo-dynamics. I will also bring to the host institution many ideas learnt during the current post-doctoral fellowship, in the areas of optics, interferometry, and optical fibre sensors and applications Links with industry / industrial relevance (22) There is no direct link at present, though companies linked with the host institution have expressed interest in the project

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Participants

• Aristotle University of Thessaloniki · ThessalonikiCoordinatorGreece

Links

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