An Optical Fiber Sensor for Axial Strain, Curvature, and Temperature Measurement Based on Single-Core Six-Hole Optical Fiber

Abstract

In this paper, the field distribution and effective refractive index of transmission modes in single-core six-hole optical fiber were researched by modeling and simulation experiments. Based on the simulation results, a new type of sensor for axial strain, curvature, and temperature applications measurement was designed and fabricated. The experimental results showed that the axial strain sensitivities at different dips were −0.97 pm/με and −1.05 pm/με in the range from 0 to 2000 με, and the temperature sensitivities were 35.17 pm/°C and 47.27 pm/°C in the range from 25 to 75 °C. In addition, the proposed sensor also detected the curvature change with sensitivities of 7.36 dB/m−1 and 20.08 dB/m−1 from −2.582 m−1 to −1.826 m−1, respectively. Finally, through theoretical analysis, it can be deduced that this has potential application in the field of simultaneous measurement of strain and temperature.