Method for angular alignment of birefringent fibers in fiber-optic pressure/strain measurement

A method for angular alignment of principal birefringence axes of a highly birefringent (HB) polarization-maintaining optical fiber is presented. The method is based on longitudinal, strain-induced cross-coupling phenomena which occur in HB fibers, and it can be directly applied to construct a fiber-optic pressure or strain sensor that is independent of disturbing thermal effects. The method is also suitable for splicing birefringent fiber pigtails to laser diodes in an all-fiber configuration for a fiber-optic pressure (strain) sensor.<
>