A Novel Liquid Core Fiber Temperature Sensor for Smart Structure Applications

In this paper we describe the principles of operation and performance of a novel, liquid core fiber (LCF) temperature sensor for possible applications in smart struc ture environments. The sensor consists of an optical, time domain, monitoring station and a liquid core fiber probe that contains fluids with very large thermo-optic coefficients. This design makes the sensor fiber very sensitive to temperature fluctuations that have been measured by monitoring induced optical pulse delay. Operating temperature ranges are ex pected to span from —55 to +400°C, with ultimate temperature measurement resolution in the order of 0.05°C/m. Limitations such as sensor packaging and fiber loss/dispersion are also addressed.