A Cascaded Fabry–Pérot Interferometric Fiber Optic Force Sensor Utilizing the Vernier Effect

An optical fiber force sensor based on the Vernier effect in cascaded Fabry-Perot interferometers (FPIs) formed by a barium tantalate microsphere and a section of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) optical fiber is proposed and investigated. Optical fiber sensors offer numerous advantages over their electronic counterparts, including immunity to electromagnetic interference and suitability for harsh environments. Despite these benefits, current optical fiber force sensors often face limitations in sensitivity, reliability, and fabrication costs. The proposed sensor has the potential to address these issues. Simulations and experimental results demonstrate that the sensor achieves a sensitivity of 9279.66 nm/N in a range of up to 3 mN. The sensor also exhibits excellent repeatability, making it a promising candidate for high-performance force monitoring in various challenging environments.