Theoretical and experimental considerations for a single-mode fiber-optic bend-type sensor

A novel single-mode bend fiber-optic sensing principle is presented. The design makes use of the translucent protective sheath that encases a typical fiber as a means of locating the position of a small bend present on an otherwise straight fiber. We can simultaneously determine bend magnitude by measuring the reduction in the fiber's core light. The theoretical model presented and the experimental results obtained are in excellent agreement, suggesting that a single-point sensor system is feasible with the proposed technique.