<title>Polarization mode dispersion effects in embedded fiber optic strain sensors</title>

Abstract

The strain of an optical fiber, embedded in a composite laminated plate, was measured using radio frequency iiiterferometery. While the response of a similar fiber glued to the plate was linear with the applied loading, the strain experienced by the embedded fiber exhibited significant fluctuations around the linear expected trend. This phenomenon is qualitatively described in terms ofpolarization mode dispersion associated with excess fiber birefringence, which was introduced during the manufacturing process of the laminated plate.

Polarization mode dispersion in radio-frequency interferometric embedded fiber-optic sensors

“…These polarization states are called the principal states of polarization (PSPs), and the difference between their group delays is called the differential group delay (DGD) [2]. In a recent paper [3], we studied the effect of birefringence on the performance of a fiber-optic radio-frequency (RF) interferometeric strain sensor. This sensor monitors the average strain in an embedded optical fiber by measuring the group delay of a modulated optical carrier that is transmitted through the fiber [4].…”