| Abstract: | The ability to develop a fiber optic current sensor utilizing the magnetostrictive characteristics of nickel (Ni) has been proven. A Mach-Zehnder interferometer, which had a 2. 5-μm layer of Ni 15-cm long on its sensing arm, was found to accurately detect magnetic fields as small as 40 gauss. Ni was deposited via DC sputter direcily onto the SiO₂ buffer of the 1.3-μm single mode fiber. There is sufficient evidence that a two-step process involving the electron-beam deposition of 274 Å of chromium (Cr), 226 Å of Ni, and a Ni electroplate of greater than 10-μm thickness can be achieved. Such a deposition should yield a 16-fold increase in sensor sensitivity. |
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