Abstract

Considerable effort has been directed toward Integrating piezoelectric polymers and single-mode optical fibers in the development of an electric field sensor.^1-3 Described here is a fiber-optic electric field detector consisting of a single-mode fiber embedded in a poled vinylidene fluoride and tetrafluoroethylene copolymer film. This device represents a self-contained detector in which the copolymer film serves the dual function of protecting the optical waveguide and providing the piezoelectric activity. This fabrication technique is amenable to the production of long lengths of fibers with piezoelectric jackets. An electric field is applied to the fiber-copolymer composite by capacitor plates whose spacing is large compared with film thickness.

© 1983 Optical Society of America