Bending vector sensor based on Mach–Zehnder interferometer using S type fibre taper and lateral-offset

Abstract

A novel, simple and highly sensitive bend vector sensor is proposed and experimentally demonstrated for directional bending measurement. This sensor consists of a lateral-offset and an S fibre taper processed through special fusion splicing method. The asymmetrical fibre structure of S fibre taper and lateral-offset determined a pair of directions along which the bending response to the transmission spectrum is different. Thus, it can be used for bending vector measurement. For a curvature range from −4 to +4 m−1, the bending sensitivities near 1550 nm reach 0.70807 and 0.99695 nm/m−1, respectively.