Polarization maintaining fibers for application in magnetic field measurements

Optical fibers may be applied in measurements of electrical current, particularly as so-called optical current transformers. Electric current sensors, in which optical fibers are used are small, light, cheap and safe. Their sensitivity is, however, due to the restricted magnetootpic properties of optical fibers, rather small. Moreover, these sensors are susceptible to deformations of the optical fiber. An increase of their sensitivity consists in lengthening the distance of optical fiber on which the magnetic field acts. However, this can lead to an increase of disturbances caused by changes of internal stresses. The negative effects can be reduced by applying optical fibers with a higher magnetooptic sensitivity and a lower susceptibility to mechanical stresses and deformations. The present paper deals with side-hole optical fibers with a decreased birefringence reducing the susceptibility to deformations. The optical fibers consist of a multicomponent glass with a higher value of the refractive index, thanks to which the sensitivity to the effect of the external magnetic field is increased. In future such optical fibers are planed to be applied in magnetooptic sensors.