Optical fiber sensors having long active lengths, systems, and methods
First Claim
1. An optical fiber sensor, comprising:
- a lead-in optical fiber having an end surface at a forward end;
a first optical element having a body with an outer dimension, Do, a front end surface coupled to the lead-in optical fiber, a pedestal including a retracted surface that is spaced from the front end surface, the retracted surface at least partially defining an optical cavity, a gutter surrounding the pedestal, the gutter having a gutter depth defining an active region of length, L, wherein L is defined by a forward end of the lead-in optical fiber and a bottom of the gutter, the first optical element further exhibiting L/Do≧
0.5 wherein the gutter includes an inner gutter wall and an outer gutter wall, such that the inner gutter wall and the outer gutter wall are tapered relative to an optical element longitudinal axis so as to define a generally conical-shape to the pedestal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Optical fiber sensors adapted to measure strain or pressure are disclosed. The optical fiber sensor has a lead-in optical fiber having an end surface at a forward end, and a first optical element having a body with an outer dimension, Do, a front end surface coupled to the lead-in optical fiber, a pedestal including a retracted surface that is spaced from the front end surface, the retracted surface at least partially defining an optical cavity, a gutter surrounding the pedestal, the gutter having a gutter depth defining an active region of length, L, the first optical element further exhibiting L/Do≧0.5. Also provided are systems including the optical fiber sensor, and methods for manufacturing and using the optical fiber sensor. Numerous other aspects are provided.
25 Citations
23 Claims
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1. An optical fiber sensor, comprising:
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a lead-in optical fiber having an end surface at a forward end; a first optical element having a body with an outer dimension, Do, a front end surface coupled to the lead-in optical fiber, a pedestal including a retracted surface that is spaced from the front end surface, the retracted surface at least partially defining an optical cavity, a gutter surrounding the pedestal, the gutter having a gutter depth defining an active region of length, L, wherein L is defined by a forward end of the lead-in optical fiber and a bottom of the gutter, the first optical element further exhibiting L/Do≧
0.5 wherein the gutter includes an inner gutter wall and an outer gutter wall, such that the inner gutter wall and the outer gutter wall are tapered relative to an optical element longitudinal axis so as to define a generally conical-shape to the pedestal. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. An optical fiber sensor, comprising:
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a lead-in optical fiber having an end surface at a forward end; at least one optical element having an outer dimension, Do, a front end surface coupled to the lead-in optical fiber, a pedestal including a retracted surface that is spaced from the front end surface, the retracted surface at least partially defining an optical cavity, a gutter that penetrates forward into a solid support base and surrounds a reflective surface and the pedestal, the gutter having a gutter depth defining an active region of length, L, wherein L is defined by a forward end of the lead-in optical fiber and a bottom of the gutter, the at least one optical element further exhibiting L/Do≧
0.5,wherein an axial elongation of the active region relative to an optical element longitudinal axis corresponds to a length change of dimension (d) of the cavity. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An optical fiber sensor, comprising:
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a lead-in optical fiber having an end surface at a forward end; a first optical element having a body with an outer dimension, Do, a front end surface coupled to the lead-in optical fiber, a pedestal including a retracted surface that is spaced from the front end surface, the retracted surface at least partially defining an optical cavity, a gutter surrounding the pedestal, the gutter having a gutter depth defining an active region of length, L, the first optical element further exhibiting L/Do≧
0.5,wherein the first optical element includes an outer annulus surrounding the gutter, the first optical element having a composition of;
P2O5-doped silica in an axial region adjacent to the gutter;
doped silica in the pedestal having a refractive index increasing dopant; andsubstantially-pure silica in the outer annulus. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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23. An optical fiber sensor, comprising:
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a lead-in optical fiber having an end surface at a forward end; a first optical element having a body with an outer dimension, Do, a front end surface coupled to the lead-in optical fiber, a pedestal including a retracted surface that is spaced from the front end surface, the retracted surface at least partially defining an optical cavity, a gutter surrounding the pedestal, the gutter having a gutter depth defining an active region of length, L, wherein L is defined by a forward end of the lead-in optical fiber and a bottom of the gutter, the first optical element further exhibiting L/Do≧
0.5 and wherein the first optical element includes a tail portion extends beyond the forward end of the gutter by a distance greater than or equal to 10Do.
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Specification