Abstract: An optical fiber sensor having a central core, a cladding layer disposed about the central core, and a thin film of lithium niobate positioned between the core and the cladding layer. Each of the cladding layer and the central core are made from glass materials having different indices of refraction. The refractive index of the lithium niobate film changes when stress is applied to the optical fiber sensor. Accordingly, stress may be detected and measured by detecting and measuring the modulation of light passing through the optical fiber sensor while the stress is occurring.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to Lithium-Niobate fiber optical sensors (“LNCF”) and systems for detection of load or pressure and strain or deformation changes that occur in a host material. The host material can be a component of a system, such as a part of a bridge, or a selected material, such as a geofoam, that provides a protective and compliant medium to which the LNCF would be securely attached.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to Lithium-Niobate fiber optical sensors (“LNCF”) and systems for detection of load or pressure and strain or deformation changes that occur in a host material. The host material can be a component of a system, such as a part of a bridge, or a selected material, such as a geofoam, that provides a protective and compliant medium to which the LNCF would be securely attached.

Abstract: An optical fiber having a thin layer of gold positioned between the core and cladding. The gold layer is vacuum deposited on a rotating clean glass rod which will become the fiber core. The rod is inserted into a tube that will form the cladding of the fiber. The tube is sealed and placed in a hot tin bath inside a stainless steel pressure chamber that is pressurized and heated to collapse the cladding around the gold-coated core, thereby forming a fiber perform that may be pulled to form the gold metal cylinder fiber of the present invention. The fiber may be cleaved at one end and etched to expose a gold cylinder, thereby forming a highly responsive sensor.