Influence of process route on mechanical and sensing performance of fiber Bragg grating optical sensors

Cathy Y. Wei; Stephen W. James; Chen-Chun Ye; Ralph P. Tatam; P. E. Irving

doi:10.1117/12.349727

31 May 1999 Influence of process route on mechanical and sensing performance of fiber Bragg grating optical sensors

Cathy Y. Wei, Stephen W. James, Chen-Chun Ye, Ralph P. Tatam, P. E. Irving

Proceedings Volume 3670, Smart Structures and Materials 1999: Sensory Phenomena and Measurement Instrumentation for Smart Structures and Materials; (1999) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.349727
Event: 1999 Symposium on Smart Structures and Materials, 1999, Newport Beach, CA, United States

Abstract

Fiber Bragg gratings were fabricated in commercially available photosensitive optical fiber, using a phase mask and UV irradiation at 245.6 nm and 266 nm. Prior to irradiation, the acrylate buffer coating was removed from the fiber using different stripping methods: chemical solvent, hot-acid and heat. The tensile strength of the fiber was measured at various stages of the fabrication process: with buffer coating intact, with the buffer coating chemically removed, and following UV irradiation. A Fabry-Perot demodulation system monitored the wavelength shift of the reflected peak from the FBG during the tensile loading, from which the strain to failure of FBG sensors has been determined. Each set of strength data has been plotted by applying the Weibull statistics. The results indicate that the removal of the buffer coating degrades the strength of optical fibers. The Weibull analysis indicates two failure mechanisms. Bare fibers show a high Weibull modulus, above 24, if no mechanical flaws have been introduced, while the fibers with surface flaws fail at low stress with the Weibull modulus as low as 2.78. UV irradiation has been found to further reduce the fiber strength. Most irradiated fibers fractured within the sensor gauge length. It is believed that a stress concentration or surface stress is induced by the UV energy, which results in mechanical degradation.

Citation Download Citation

Cathy Y. Wei, Stephen W. James, Chen-Chun Ye, Ralph P. Tatam, and P. E. Irving "Influence of process route on mechanical and sensing performance of fiber Bragg grating optical sensors", Proc. SPIE 3670, Smart Structures and Materials 1999: Sensory Phenomena and Measurement Instrumentation for Smart Structures and Materials, (31 May 1999); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.349727

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