Optical Bend Sensor Based on Eccentrically Micro-Structured Multimode Polymer Optical Fibers

Leffers, Lennart; Locmelis, Julia; Bremer, Kort; Roth, Bernhard; Overmeyer, Ludger

doi:10.1109/jphot.2021.3111298

Cited by 8 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…The sensor itself is created by UV-patterning of a polymer optical fiber core with the phase mask method [6] as described in Figure 1. Since the sensor does not have a cladding and a coating it is inserted in a fiber cable jacket with a diameter size of 0.2 mm to protect it from damage.…”

Section: Prototype Productionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Polymer-optical sensor glove prototype based on eccentric FBGs

Leffers

Roth²,

Overmeyer³

2023

Optical Components and Materials XX

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We report on the development, test and comparison of a prototype sensor glove for 3D shape detection of the human hand. The prototype is based on polymer optical fibers with eccentrically inscribed Bragg gratings, which are mantled with a simple jacket woven into a textile fabric glove. All of these elements are lightweight and flexible, taking away the drawback of motion handicaps, that sensor gloves usually come with due to material stiffness. The sensor glove is tested with a set of approximately 15 different and simply defined hand gestures, which incorporate iconic and everyday gestures like grasping a cylindrical shape or showing numbers with fingers, assisted with 3D printed models. Hence a set of gestures is defined, subsequently we compared two commercial systems based on optical sensors from 5DT (Data Glove 5/ 14 Ultra) with the prototype. The prototype is not capable to measure motion accurately yet, due to its long integration times as of now, it is, however, advanced in the measurement accuracy, especially regarding the direction of the shape deformation, which is rendered possible by the structure of the FBG sensor. In the next steps, the integration time of the sensor, as well as its illumination and the evaluation will be improved. For that step, the light source, the optical spectrum analyzer and the computer will be replaced by integrated devices like LEDs, photodiodes and single-board microcontrollers. In the future, the gloves, as well as the used technology of the sensor, offer the potential for application in logistics, virtual and augmented reality as well as medical diagnostics and general observation.

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Section: Prototype Productionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Polymer-optical sensor glove prototype based on eccentric FBGs

Leffers

Roth²,

Overmeyer³

2023

Optical Components and Materials XX

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“…Subsequently, the remaining fiber core is structured with a UV-laser (Atlex FBG-300, ATL Lasertechnik GmbH) and the phase mask (Ibsen Photonics A/S; Phasemask Technology, LLC) technique to create eccentric FBGs (Figure 1) [5]. The FBGs are inscribed with a laser pulse frequency of 15 Hz for a period of 256 seconds into the outer region of the fiber core over a length of 3 mm [6]. The optical measurement setup consists of an optical spectrum analyzer (OSA, Anritsu MS9740B), a broadband light source (Thorlabs SLS201 L/M), a 50:50-splitter (Thorlabs TM105R5F1B) and the sensor, as shown in Figure 2.…”

Section: Sample Preparationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterisation of a polymer-based eccentric FBG 3D shape deformation sensor

Leffers

Roth²,

Overmeyer³

2023

Optical Components and Materials XX

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We report on the systematic investigation of a polymer-optical fiber Bragg grating (POFBG) sensor for shape deformation with regard to its temperature and humidity sensitivity under various bending conditions and additionally with regard to strain and torsion, which are all relevant effects in the designated application in a novel 3D shape detection sensor system. The concept relies on the fast and simple inscription of Bragg gratings in graded-index multimode cyclic transparent optical polymer (CYTOP) fibers with the phase mask method and a krypton-fluoride excimer laser in the UV. When the fibers undergo deformation such as strain, torsion or bending or are affected by environmental effects, the lattice constant of the FBGs as well as the optical components can change and the spectral position of the Bragg peak shifts accordingly into the red or blue wavelength region. While the cross-sensitivity to humidity is relatively small over the full range from 10% to 98% relative humidity and, therefore, negligible, the cross-sensitivity to temperature is relevant and lies in the range from 17.2 pm/K (straight position) to 45.6 pm/K (upward bending position). The effect of strain on the sensor can be observed by the shift of the Bragg peak to the red wavelength region. Also, the impact from torsion on the sensor is clearly observable, even after multiple turns of the fiber, and the functionality of the sensor is preserved when plastic deformation occurs. The presented results offer the potential to use the sensor in everyday applications and specifically to track the motion of human hands. For example, sensor gloves can be used to detect early stage of motion impairment of focal dystonia patients in medical diagnostics or for augmented and virtual reality devices.

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“…Moreover, the grating can be manufactured not only alongside the fiber but also at various angles around the fiber axis. [61] The value of many parameters can be tuned by fusing the POF, e.g., the attenuation can be lower when the sensitivity of the POF to temperature can be increased. This effect was initially discovered and described by Mizuno et al [62] in 2014, and it has piqued the curiosity of several research groups since then.…”

Section: Polymer Fiber Optic Sensorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Temperature Sensors based on Polymer Fiber Optic Interferometer

Jędrzejewska‐Szczerska¹

2022

Preprint

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Temperature measurements are of great importance in many fields of human activities, including industry, technology, and science. For example, obtaining a certain temperature value or a sudden change in it can be the primary control marker of a chemical process. Fiber optic sensors have remarkable properties giving a broad range of applications. They enable continuous real-time temperature control in difficult-to-reach areas, in hazardous working environments (air pollution, chemical or ionizing contamination), and the presence of electromagnetic disturbances. The use of fiber optic temperature sensors in polymer technology can significantly reduce the cost of their production. Moreover, the installation process and usage would be simplified. As a result, these types of sensors would becoming increasingly popular in industrial solutions. This review provides a critical overview of the latest development of fiber optic temperature sensors based on Fabry-Perot interferometer made with polymer technology.

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Optical Bend Sensor Based on Eccentrically Micro-Structured Multimode Polymer Optical Fibers

Cited by 8 publications

References 33 publications

Polymer-optical sensor glove prototype based on eccentric FBGs

Polymer-optical sensor glove prototype based on eccentric FBGs

Characterisation of a polymer-based eccentric FBG 3D shape deformation sensor

Temperature Sensors based on Polymer Fiber Optic Interferometer

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