Weight Measurements by Using Simple Optical-Fiber Sensors (RESEARCH NOTE)

Abstract

The use of different optical-fiber sensors for weighing measurements is Abstract described. By using three different mechanical stressing mechanisms, the operation of the fiber-to-fiber transducer systems are tested and the results are presented. Parameters such as sensitivity, hysteresis, resolution, and dynamic range are measured. A comparison of the results has shown that the sensor system made with a cantilever steel beam offers a better overall performance. It shows a sensitivity of about 4.8 mV/gm, a maximum hysteresis of 4%, and has a resolution of 0.2 gm for a dynamic range of about 140 gm. The reported systems offer simplicity in design and can be implemented for force/pressure measurements.