Pressure-induced birefringence in a coated highly birefringent optical fiber

An attempt is made to explain the pressure-induced birefringence in a birefringent fiber based on a consideration of the effect due to the difference between the elastic properties of the stress-applying regions and the cladding of the fiber. The elastic properties and the thickness of a single fiber coating are also incorporated into the analysis. Numerical results for some typical coating materials are presented and compared with existing experimental data. The implications of the results with regard to sensor applications are also discussed. A polarimetric sensor using a suitably coated highly birefringent fiber should be useful for the detection of static and low-frequency acoustic pressures