Polarimetric fiber optic sensor for the measurement of strain

In this thesis, development of a Polarimetric Fiber-Optic strain sensor is presented. The sensor uses the phenomenon that strain can deform the probing part of the fiber and hence change the polarization of the transmitted light signal. By counting the resulting fringes, we can measure the exact strain in the material. Calibration of the sensor was achieved by setting up tension tests. Optical fibers were glued on the surface of the specimen. Reference strain gages were used to record the strain in the specimens. Resulting fringes from the fiber optic sensors were then related to the strain measured by the strain gages. As compared to strain gages and the Interferometric sensors, Polarimetric sensors offer many advantages. They are extremely sensitive, easy to install, and most importantly they offer geometric flexibility and embeddment capabilities. They are immune to electrical and electromagnetic interferences, and can be operated from remote locations