Polymer dispersed liquid crystal fiber optic electric field probe

Polymer dispersed liquid crystal inserted between two multimode optical fiber end faces forms the basis of an electric field probe. This probe has an active volume of about 0.001 mm/sup 3/ and approximates a point measurement. The linear relation between detector output and electric field in the 600 V/cm to 800 V/cm range is adequate for most electric power distribution systems. As the contrast ratio of this transducer is large, it can also be used as a safety on-off detector for high-voltage equipment.