Fiber-Optic Accelerometer Investigation.
Abstract
A fiber-optic accelerometer concept based on the radial displacement of a hollow cylinder subject to acceleration is experimentally investigated. The accelerometer configuration consists of two PZT cylinders wrapped with 2.3 meters of high birefringent single mode fiber placed in a differential configuration. Cylinder radial displacement induces an axial strain into the fiber which stretches the fiber, causing a simultaneous optical path length and index of refraction change. The result is an overall phase change of the light propagating in the fiber, causing a simultaneous optical path length and index of refraction change. Acceleration is hence measured by ac detecting and scaling the phase change. Optical common mode rejection is achieved via a 90 degree fiber rotation and splice. Polarization, phase, and temperature stability for the system with and without optical common moding is investigated. A theoretical system scale factor and is calculated and used to determine the minimum detectable acceleration sensed for a 50 volt dc step input simulating induced acceleration. System noise is examined and compared to the photon shot noise limit.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1987
- Accession Number
- ADA185359
Entities
People
- Waldemar Zukauskas
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology