title: Compact fiber-optic vector inclinometer.
abstract: What we believe to be a novel fiber-optical inclinometer based on a dual-path core-to-cladding mode coupling mechanism is demonstrated. Both the amplitude and tilt direction of bends about a 2-mm-long flexure joint in an optical fiber can be determined. The sensor head consists of a nonadiabatic abrupt taper cascaded with a weakly tilted fiber Bragg grating. Measured bend angles of up to 12 degrees are demonstrated, as well as a method to increase the sensitivity for bend angles smaller than 4 degrees.
authors.affiliation: Department of Electronics, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1S 5B6. liyangshao@gmail.com
authors.forename: Li-Yang
authors.initials: LY
authors.lastname: Shao
authors.forename: Jacques
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Albert