Abstract: An optical measurement assembly includes a tissue suspension device having two cantilevers between which a biological tissue can be suspended. This assembly further an optical waveguide having an end that faces a surface part of one of the two cantilevers. The surface part is optically reflective so that the optical waveguide and the surface part form an interferometric cavity. This interferometric cavity has a spectral response that varies as a function of a degree of flexion of the cantilever of which the surface part faces the optical waveguide.

Abstract: An optical sensing device includes a support with an aperture. The optical sensing device can removably hold a sample against the support around the aperture. Accordingly, a portion of the sample is free to deform through the aperture in response to a change in an environmental condition. An optical waveguide is fixedly arranged with respect to the support whereby an end of the optical waveguide faces the aperture. The end of the optical waveguide forms an optical interferometric cavity with a refractive index discontinuity at a surface of the portion of the sample that is free to deform through the aperture.

Abstract: A hydrophone has a mandrel with a shell and a cylindrical cavity inwardly adjacent to the shell. A passage provides fluid communication between the cylindrical cavity and an exterior environment surrounding the mandrel. The hydrophone further has an optical fiber having an optical sensing section that is at least partially wound on the mandrel. The optical sensing section has an optical characteristic that varies as a function of a radial dimension of the mandrel. The mandrel has a core of solid material having a bulk modulus lower than 0.1 GPa. The cylindrical cavity is between the core and the shell.

Abstract: An optical fiber-based sensor system includes a sensing optical fiber having fiber gratings that reflect light at respective wavelengths. A first fiber grating reflects light at a first wavelength. A second fiber grating reflects light at a second wavelength. The system also has a reference optical fiber. An optical read-out arrangement generates light at the first and second wavelengths. The light is injected in the sensing optical fiber and in the reference optical fiber. A first phase difference is measured between light at the first wavelength emanating from the sensing optical fiber and the reference optical fiber. In addition, a second phase difference is measured between light at the second wavelength emanating from the sensing optical fiber the reference optical fiber. A measurement result is based on a difference between the first phase difference and the second phase difference.

Abstract: An optical sensor system includes an optical sensor arrangement that includes a Fabry-Perot structure having two reflective surfaces spaced apart at a distance from each other. A spectral acquisition arrangement acquires successive spectral responses from the optical sensor arrangement during successive time intervals. A spectral analysis arrangement detects a periodicity in at least one of the successive spectral responses that have been acquired. The spectral analysis arrangement further detects a phase evolution of the periodicity throughout the successive spectral responses. The phase evolution of the periodicity provides a relatively precise measurement of a variation in an optical path length between the two reflective surfaces of the Fabry-Perot structure. A variation in a physical quantity can cause the variation in the optical path length. Accordingly, a relatively precise measurement of the physical quantity can be achieved.

Abstract: An optical fiber-based sensor system includes a sensing optical fiber having fiber gratings that reflect light at respective wavelengths. A first fiber grating reflects light at a first wavelength. A second fiber grating reflects light at a second wavelength. The system also has a reference optical fiber. An optical read-out arrangement generates light at the first and second wavelengths. The light is injected in the sensing optical fiber and in the reference optical fiber. A first phase difference is measured between light at the first wavelength emanating from the sensing optical fiber and the reference optical fiber. In addition, a second phase difference is measured between light at the second wavelength emanating from the sensing optical fiber the reference optical fiber. A measurement result is based on a difference between the first phase difference and the second phase difference.

Abstract: An optical sensor system includes an optical sensor arrangement that includes a Fabry-Perot structure having two reflective surfaces spaced apart at a distance from each other. A spectral acquisition arrangement acquires successive spectral responses from the optical sensor arrangement during successive time intervals. A spectral analysis arrangement detects a periodicity in at least one of the successive spectral responses that have been acquired. The spectral analysis arrangement further detects a phase evolution of the periodicity throughout the successive spectral responses. The phase evolution of the periodicity provides a relatively precise measurement of a variation in an optical path length between the two reflective surfaces of the Fabry-Perot structure. A variation in a physical quantity can cause the variation in the optical path length. Accordingly, a relatively precise measurement of the physical quantity can be achieved.