Damage detection in structural materials using a polarimetric fiber optic sensor

We describe a novel but simple method of detecting Lamb waves through the measurement of the changes in the polarimetric state of light propagating through an optical fibre which has been either embedded into or bonded onto the plate to be tested. The directional properties of the sensor are described, as is its ability to detect a hole produced in the plate. We also show how the relative sizes of the detected signal amplitudes from the source PZT and from the hole vary according to the alignment of the source with the sensor axis