Development and investigations of a fiber optic technique for on-line monitoring of the quality of polish of rice

Optical sensing techniques are well known for precise and non-intrusive measurements. With the availability of optical fibers and fiber optic components in recent years, fiber optics based sensing has emerged as a rapidly growing field with several potential benefits over the conventional electrical and electronic sensors. Intensity modulation based fiber optic sensors are conceptually simple, ruggedised and cost-effective as they can be implemented using less expensive multimode fibers and their assemblies and other components. Experimental investigations have been carried out and a reflectance modulation based fiber optic technique developed for on-line monitoring the quality of polish/whiteness of rice. The paper discusses the aspects of design, implementation & characteristic investigations of the said technique for monitoring the quality of polish of rice and highlights its salient technical features