TY - JOUR

T1 - Durable shape sensor based on FBG array inscribed in polyimide-coated multicore optical fiber

AU - Bronnikov, Kirill

AU - Wolf, Alexey

AU - Yakushin, Sergey

AU - Dostovalov, Alexandr

AU - Egorova, Olga

AU - Zhuravlev, Sergey

AU - Semjonov, Sergey

AU - Wabnitz, Stefan

AU - Babin, Sergey

PY - 2019/12/23

Y1 - 2019/12/23

N2 - The paper presents a novel three-dimensional quasi-continuous shape sensor based on an FBG array inscribed by femtosecond laser pulses into a 7-core optical fiber with a polyimide protective coating. The measured bending sensitivity of individual FBGs ranges from 0.046 nm/m−1 to 0.049 nm/m−1. It is shown that the sensor allows for reconstructing 2- and 3-dimensional shapes with high accuracy. Due to the high value of the core aperture and individual calibration of each FBG we were able to measure the smallest reported bending radii down to 2.6 mm with a record accuracy of ∼1%. Moreover, we investigate the magnitude of the errors of curves reconstruction and errors associated with measurement of curvature radii in the range from 2.6 to 500 mm. The main factors affecting the accuracy of measurements are also discussed. The temperature resistance of both the inscribed FBG structures and of the protective coating, along with the high mechanical strength of the polyimide, makes it possible to use the sensor in harsh environments or in medical and composite material applications.

AB - The paper presents a novel three-dimensional quasi-continuous shape sensor based on an FBG array inscribed by femtosecond laser pulses into a 7-core optical fiber with a polyimide protective coating. The measured bending sensitivity of individual FBGs ranges from 0.046 nm/m−1 to 0.049 nm/m−1. It is shown that the sensor allows for reconstructing 2- and 3-dimensional shapes with high accuracy. Due to the high value of the core aperture and individual calibration of each FBG we were able to measure the smallest reported bending radii down to 2.6 mm with a record accuracy of ∼1%. Moreover, we investigate the magnitude of the errors of curves reconstruction and errors associated with measurement of curvature radii in the range from 2.6 to 500 mm. The main factors affecting the accuracy of measurements are also discussed. The temperature resistance of both the inscribed FBG structures and of the protective coating, along with the high mechanical strength of the polyimide, makes it possible to use the sensor in harsh environments or in medical and composite material applications.

KW - POINT-BY-POINT

KW - BRAGG GRATINGS

KW - INSCRIPTION

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85077288098&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1364/OE.380816

DO - 10.1364/OE.380816

M3 - Article

C2 - 31878610

AN - SCOPUS:85077288098

VL - 27

SP - 38421

EP - 38434

JO - Optics Express

JF - Optics Express

SN - 1094-4087

IS - 26

ER -