Multimode fiber-optic accelerometer based on the photoelastic effect

A multimode fiber-optic accelerometer based on the photoelastic effect is described, and experimental results are reported. The device is able to detect accelerations down to 0.001 g using glass as an active medium and 0.000025 g using Solithane 113. It is electrically passive and compatible with existing multimode technology and multiplexing techniques. Device sensitivity can be easily changed by changing the active birefringent material. The photoelastic transduction method used is easily transferable to the sensing of phenomena other than acceleration, such as pressure and acoustic waves.