Stretchable fiber-Bragg-grating-based sensor

Opt Lett. 2018 Jun 1;43(11):2503-2506. doi: 10.1364/OL.43.002503.

Abstract

A fiber-Bragg-grating-(FBG)-based sensor is a very popular fiber optic sensor due to its simplicity, mature fabrication technology, and sensitivity to a number of physical stimuli. However, due to the stiff nature of optical fiber, it is impossible to heavily stretch a FBG sensor. A stretchable sensor is highly desired in soft robotics, human motion detection, and biomedical applications, which could involve motions like tension, bending, and twisting. In this Letter, we demonstrate a stretchable FBG-based fiber optic sensor by embedding a FBG-written optic fiber sinusoidally in a soft silicone film at an off-center position. This unique structure enables 30% of elongation in length that facilitates tension, bending, and twisting measurement.

MeSH terms

  • Equipment Design
  • Fiber Optic Technology / instrumentation*
  • Fiber Optic Technology / methods
  • Optical Fibers*
  • Optical Phenomena*
  • Refractometry