Effects of different parameters on the performance of a fiber polarimetric sensor for smart structure applications

Studies of the effects of various parameters like pre-stress, input azimuth, fiber turns etc. on the polarimetric fiber optic sensing system for smart structure applications are presented. The presence of the smart structure modifies the output characteristics of the highly birefringent fiber due to elastic properties of the structure. Experimental procedures are repeated for Single Mode and the bow-tie HiBi fibers with different optical configurations. Both carbon fiber reinforced (CFRP) and glass fiber reinforced (GFRP) specimens are studied in detail. These experimental evaluation clearly point out that the sensitivity of such embedded polarimetric sensors are affected by the above mentioned parameters. Hence these parameters are optimized for making the smart sensing systems with specific objectives. Keeping the modulated signal at the optimum sensitivity range for defect detection in the composite laminates will also be discussed in this paper.