Applications of fiber optics in experimental mechanics.
24 February 1987
Fiber optics provide a powerful new tool for use in experimental mechanics. Applications range from excitation to illumination to detection to information transmission. Interesting examples include applications in holointerferometry, laser speckle photography, laser doppler velocimetry, photoelastic spectral analysis and numerous other experimental techniques in which fiber optics may be used to manipulate light. In addition, fiber optics are finding uses in a wide variety of strain, pressure, crack, temperature, displacement and motion sensing transducers. This presentation will review the special characteristics of various types of optical fibers that fit them to these non-communications related roles. A few applications will be described in detail and many others mentioned briefly in order to illustrate the numerous advantages to be realized from the use of fiber optics in experimental mechanics.