Optical Harmonic Vernier Effect: A New Tool for High Performance Interferometric Fiber Sensors

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2019

Authors

Gomes, AD (Author) Other; Ferreira, MS (Author) Other; Bierlich, J (Author) Other; Kobelke, J (Author) Other; Rothhardt, M (Author) Other; Bartelt, H (Author) Other; Frazao, O (Author) FCUP

Journal

Title: Sensors

Vol. 30

Final page: 5431

ISSN: 1424-3210

Publisher: MDPI

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 1 Citation

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00R-HG4

DOI: 10.3390/s19245431

Abstract (EN): The optical Vernier effect magnifies the sensing capabilities of an interferometer, allowing for unprecedented sensitivities and resolutions to be achieved. Just like a caliper uses two different scales to achieve higher resolution measurements, the optical Vernier effect is based on the overlap in the responses of two interferometers with slightly detuned interference signals. Here, we present a novel approach in detail, which introduces optical harmonics to the Vernier effect through Fabry-Perot interferometers, where the two interferometers can have very different frequencies in the interferometric pattern. We demonstrate not only a considerable enhancement compared to current methods, but also better control of the sensitivity magnification factor, which scales up with the order of the harmonics, allowing us to surpass the limits of the conventional Vernier effect as used today. In addition, this novel concept opens also new ways of dimensioning the sensing structures, together with improved fabrication tolerances.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 18