Title :
Optical interferometer using a high-birefringence optical fiber
Author :
Minoni, Umberto ; Docchio, Franco ; Sansoni, Giovanna
Author_Institution :
Dipartimento di Elettronica per l´´Autom., Brescia Univ., Italy
fDate :
4/1/1993 12:00:00 AM
Abstract :
A prototype of a new displacement measuring system based on an optical interferometer using a polarization-maintaining optical fiber is presented. The proposed configuration makes it possible to separate the laser head and the detectors from the actual interferometer (i.e., the measuring head). In this way, the interferometric head can be miniaturized and used to gauge targets which are difficult to access. The resolution provided by the electronic fringe counter is equal to λ/8 (~ 80 nm), and the overall accuracy is 1 μm over a measuring range of 20 mm
Keywords :
displacement measurement; fibre optic sensors; light interferometers; measurement by laser beam; 20 mm; He-Ne laser; displacement measuring system; electronic fringe counter; high-birefringence optical fiber; interferometric head; laser head; measuring head; optical interferometer; polarization-maintaining optical fiber; Displacement measurement; Fiber lasers; Laser beams; Magnetic heads; Optical fiber polarization; Optical fibers; Optical interferometry; Optical sensors; Prototypes; Thermal stresses;
Journal_Title :
Instrumentation and Measurement, IEEE Transactions on