Fabry-perot optical sensing device for measuring a physical parameter

Abstract

The optical sensing device and the method thereof are for measuring a physical parameter. The device is to be connected to a light source which generates a multiple frequency light signal having predetermined spectral characteristics. The device comprises a Fabry-Perot interferometer through which the light signal is passed, an optical focusing device for focusing at least a portion of the light signal outgoing from the Fabry-Perot interferometer, and a Fizeau interferometer through which the focused light signal is passed. The Fabry-Perot interferometer includes two semi-reflecting mirrors substantially parallel to one another and spaced by a given distance so as to define a Fabry-Perot cavity having transmittance or reflectance properties which are affected by the physical parameter and which cause the spectral properties of the light signal to vary in response to the physical parameter. The Fabry-Perot interferometer is provided with at least one multimode optical fiber for transmitting the light signal into the Fabry-Perot cavity and for collecting the portion of the light signal outgoing thereof. The Fizeau interferometer includes an optical wedge forming a wedge-profiled Fizeau cavity from which exits a spatially-spread light signal indicative of the transmittance or reflectance properties of the Fabry-Perot interferometer. The physical parameter can be determined by means of the spatially-spread light signal.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.