Mach-Zehnder optical fiber interferometers for the detection of ultrasound

Kathryn Atherton; Fengzhong Dong; S. Gareth Pierce; Brian Culshaw

doi:10.1117/12.388118

12 June 2000 Mach-Zehnder optical fiber interferometers for the detection of ultrasound

Kathryn Atherton, Fengzhong Dong, S. Gareth Pierce, Brian Culshaw

Proceedings Volume 3986, Smart Structures and Materials 2000: Sensory Phenomena and Measurement Instrumentation for Smart Structures and Materials; (2000) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.388118
Event: SPIE's 7th Annual International Symposium on Smart Structures and Materials, 2000, Newport Beach, CA, United States

Abstract

Ultrasonic Lamb waves have been extensively investigated for non-destructive testing of materials. Embedded or surface bonded optical fiber, acting as the signal arm of a Mach- Zehnder interferometer, is one method previously utilized to detect the Lamb waves. Optical fibers therefore have potential as permanent sensors for structural monitoring of damage and defects in materials. A greater understanding of the ultrasound interaction with the optical fiber sensor will bring application closer. In order to probe this interaction we built a two channel interferometer allowing ultrasound traveling through a material to be monitored simultaneously by a Mach-Zehnder interferometer and also a Michelson interferometer. The Michelson interferometer allows a non- constat measurement to be made of the absolute surface displacement associated with an ultrasonic Lamb wave. Comparison of the ultrasound signals detected by the two different interferometers provides a greater insight into the detection mechanism and sensitivity of the Mach-Zehnder interferometer. The work is then extended to look at embedded fibers in composite materials and damage detection.

Citation Download Citation

Kathryn Atherton, Fengzhong Dong, S. Gareth Pierce, and Brian Culshaw "Mach-Zehnder optical fiber interferometers for the detection of ultrasound", Proc. SPIE 3986, Smart Structures and Materials 2000: Sensory Phenomena and Measurement Instrumentation for Smart Structures and Materials, (12 June 2000); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.388118

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