Title :
Fiber-Optic Liquid Level Sensor
Author :
Antonio-Lopez, José E. ; May-Arrioja, Daniel A. ; LiKamWa, P.
Author_Institution :
Opt. Dept., INAOE, Puebla, Mexico
Abstract :
A fiber-optic liquid level sensor based on multimode interference (MMI) effects is proposed and demonstrated. We show that MMI and self-image effects can be effectively applied for multiplexed liquid level sensing, because the natural response as a band-pass filter for each sensor is clearly distinct from each other, in the case for several sensors working at the same time. Using a standard 105/125 step-index multimode fiber (MMF) a simple discrete level sensor was fabricated, that can also discriminate the refractive index (RI) of the liquid during the level measurement. The MMI liquid level sensors are not only inexpensive, but their fabrication is simple.
Keywords :
band-pass filters; fibre optic sensors; level measurement; light interference; optical fibre fabrication; optical filters; optical images; refractive index; band-pass filter; fiber-optic liquid level sensor; level measurement; multimode interference effects; multiplexed liquid level sensing; refractive index; self-image effects; step-index multimode fiber; Erbium; Liquids; Multiplexing; Optical fiber sensors; Optical fibers; Liquid-level sensor; multimode interference (MMI); optical fiber sensors;
Journal_Title :
Photonics Technology Letters, IEEE
DOI :
10.1109/LPT.2011.2170058
