Optical sensors utilizing multiple reflection

Abstract

An improved method and apparatus for optically sensing and measuring physical quantities such as magnetic fields, electrical fields, mechanical strain, temperature, sound and pressure. The apparatus aspects of the invention involve a sensor structure consisting of a sandwich of magnetostrictive, piezoelectric or other materials sensitive to the physical quantity measured which are spaced apart by two opposed parallel reflecting surfaces located on opposing sides of the sensitive material. The reflecting surfaces can include an array of plane mirrors, diffraction gratings, curved mirrors, or retro-reflecting spheres. In its method aspects, multiple optical reflections between the two surfaces provide a magnified optical phase shift when the shape of the slab that is sensitive to changes in the applied field causes mechanical strains in the material. The changed optical signal can be measured by a suitable measurement device such as an interferometer for phase comparison with a diffraction reference pattern. Alternative embodiments include providing multiple sensors in a sandwich type structure in order to increase measurement sensitivity and accuracy.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.