Longitudinal misalignment based strain sensor

A practical fiber optic strain sensor has been developed to measure strains in the range of 0.0 to 2.0 percent strain with a resolution ranging between 10 and 100 microstrain depending on sensor design choices. This intensity based sensor measures strain by monitoring strain induced longitudinal misalignment in a novel fiber interconnection. This interconnection is created by aligning fibers within a segment of hollow core fiber. Related splice loss mechanisms are investigated for their effect on resolution. The effect of gauge length and launch conditions are also investigated.