Modelling the static thermal sensitivity of diaphragm-based fibre optic pressure sensors

Abstract

[Abstract]: Diaphragm-based fibre optic pressure sensors can offer high temporal and spatial resolution pressure measurements at modest cost, but they can suffer from the detrimental effects of temperature cross-sensitivity. A simple construction for these sensors involves a zirconia ferrule as the substrate for a polished copper foil diaphragm, and a liquid adhesive as the bonding layer between the two. It is proposed that elimination of the adhesive layer through the use of direct bonding techniques, such as electroplating or ultrasonic welding, could reduce the temperature sensitivity. The thermal sensitivity of two types of sensor – one with and one without an adhesive layer – is studied using finite element modelling. The results show that the new construction technique could reduce the temperature sensitivity by up to 62 %.