Corning Incorporated
Enhanced microbend sensor

Abstract:

An optical fiber sensor includes a first single mode fiber, a second single mode fiber, and a multimode fiber positioned between, and coupled to, the first single mode fiber and the second single mode fiber. The multimode fiber includes a graded-index core with an outer diameter between about 35 .mu.m and about 45 .mu.m. A numerical aperture of the core is between about 0.15 and about 0.25. The multimode fiber includes a cladding with an outer diameter between about 70 .mu.m and about 90 .mu.m. A coupling strength of an LP.sub.01 mode of the first single mode fiber to each of an LP.sub.02 mode and an LP.sub.03 mode of the multimode fiber is at least about 0.25.