All-fiber embedded PM-PCF vibration sensor for Structural Health Monitoring of composite

In the present work, Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) of a composite beam using embedded Polarization Maintaining Photonic Crystal Fiber (PM-PCF) has been investigated with emphasis on better monitoring of composite materials and the wide range of potential applications this class of materials currently have. This new concept of using PM-PCF for SHM is attractive because it enables the design of a vibration sensor that is highly sensitive to vibration and at the same time is insensitive to temperature. Vibration measurements up to 50 Hz have been demonstrated in this work.