Tensile Testing Based on the Polarization-maintaining Fiber Powered by an SM Optical Fibre

Optical fibre sensors are currently used to detect many non-electrical phenomena. The latest sensors analyze the polarization properties of light inside an optical fiber. Unlike interferometric methods, this method uses the interference of two planes of polarization at the output of the optical fibre. The sensors are divided into linear polarizer sensors or multi-fibre interference sensors based on different ways of converting the polarization state into a change in the intensity of the optical radiation. These sensors are particularly suitable for low frequency vibration measurements due to the transformation of beats into the longitudinal deformation of the optical fibre. The aim of the presented measurements was to demonstrate that these polarization vibration sensors have excellent sensitivity and are thus suitable for vibration detection. This paper demonstrates that polarization sensors have excellent sensitivity, are convenient and inexpensive to install, and, due to their non-electric nature, are suitable for hazardous environments. In addition, it is possible to employ these sensors as intrusion detection and prevention systems and remotely power them at a distance of tens of kilometers. The motivation for this research was the lack of information and equipment for vibration testing of optical fibres and the associated polarization changes.