Open AccessShape sensing using multi-core fiber optic cable and parametric curve solutions
Author(s) -
Jason P. Moore,
Matthew D. Rogge
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.20.002967
Subject(s) - optics , curvature , core (optical fiber) , optical fiber , fiber bragg grating , graded index fiber , parametric statistics , fiber , polarization maintaining optical fiber , physics , mathematical analysis , fiber optic sensor , materials science , mathematics , geometry , statistics , composite material
The shape of a multi-core optical fiber is calculated by numerically solving a set of Frenet-Serret equations describing the path of the fiber in three dimensions. Included in the Frenet-Serret equations are curvature and bending direction functions derived from distributed fiber Bragg grating strain measurements in each core. The method offers advantages over prior art in that it determines complex three-dimensional fiber shape as a continuous parametric solution rather than an integrated series of discrete planar bends. Results and error analysis of the method using a tri-core optical fiber is presented. Maximum error expressed as a percentage of fiber length was found to be 7.2%.