Influence of Curvature Radius on Curved Plastic Optical Fiber Sensors

Authors:
Publisher website
Google Scholar
Abstract
This work investigates the influence of curvature radius on the response of plastic optical fiber (POF) sensors. Using polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) fibers, sensors with different bending radii were fabricated through a controlled heating and cooling process. Their sensitivity was evaluated by immersing the curved fibers in sodium chloride solutions of varying concentrations and measuring the transmitted optical signal using a 650 nm LED and a photodetector. Results indicate a near-linear relationship between refractive index and output voltage for intermediate radii, with a maximum sensitivity of 13.613 V/RIU observed at a 4 mm curvature. Smaller radii enhance sensitivity due to increased signal interaction with the external medium, though at the cost of greater optical losses. Larger radii exhibit reduced sensitivity and narrower detection ranges. These findings underscore the importance of curvature optimization in designing refractive index sensors and provide valuable insights for selecting appropriate radii based on specific application requirements.

This publication has 10 references indexed in Scilit: