Abstract

The ultimate performance of a fiber optic (FO) interferometer depends on its ability to resolve small differential optical phase shifts. Due to advances in FO technology it has become possible to fabricate interferometers with optical phase resolution of < 1 μrad/√Hz (f >100 Hz) [1]. Such FO interferometers have been successfully utilized in making extremely high resolution acoustic and electromagnetic field sensors [1]. Since the optical phase shift in the fiber is directly proportional to the induced strain in the material bonded to the optical fiber the FO interferometer is also well suited for studying the dynamic strain response of magnetostrictive, piezoelectric and electrostrictive materials [2].

© 1992 Optical Society of America