Flat multi-core fibre for twist elimination in distributed curvature sensing

Abstract

Abstract Optical fibre sensors offer many advantages in comparison to their conventional counterparts, such as extremely low sensitivity to external electro-magnetic fields and small dimensions. The multi-core fibres in particular are ideal candidates for shape sensing due to the intrinsic 3D coordinate system they offer. However the twist of the multi-core fibre during its deployment along the structure of interest, distorts the 3D coordinate system based on their fixed position. In this work a multi-core fibre of unique geometry is presented as a solution to this issue. Owing to its two flat sides, this fibre presents enhanced preferential bending that eliminates the random twist of the sensing fibre.