An optimized design of a fiber optic hydrophone based on a flat diaphragm and multilayer fiber coils: A theoretical approach

In this paper, we present a theoretical approach to optimize the design of a fiber optic hydrophone based on a flat diaphragm and multilayer fiber coils. In this theoretical analysis, both the radial and tangential strain induced fiber length changes are taken into account. The result shows that the position of the fiber coils and the number of the fiber layers have significant effects on the sensitivity, of the hydrophone. By optimizing these parameters, a higher sensitivity can be achieved. Sample hydrophones are fabricated and tested. The experimental result is in good agreement with the theoretical result, which shows this theoretical approach is effective in optimizing the design of the fiber optic hydrophone. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Key Projects Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences CXJJ-177 This work was supported by the Key Projects Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences under Grant No. CXJJ-177. The authors wish to thank Dr. Xiao Hao for his kind help in our experiments, and Dr. Liu Lihui, and Dr. Zhang Songwei for fruitful discussion concerning this work.