Liquid crystal sensors

Abstract

A radically new equipment utilizing nematic liquid crystals as a sensitive element and multimode optical fibers for communication are suggested and discussed. The concept exploits the effect of external action-induced changes in the birefrigerence observed in liquid crystals. The equipment comprises: a sensor for measurement of linear vibrational velocity or acceleration, a sensor registering pressure variations, a sensor for temperature fluctuation measurements and a sensor measuring the angular vibrational velocity or acceleration. Theoretical analysis of the operation principle of the sensors is conducted. A calculation method of basic design components of a sensitive sensor cell is suggested. The main sensor specifications are determined. New liquid crystal sensors don't have any analogs in the international instrument production. They have essential advantages relative to standard devices and can be used for a measurement of weak physical fields of various nature.