Hinged temperature-immune self-referencing Fabry–Pérot cavity sensors [US Patent US11320596B2]

Jeremiah C. Williams, Air Force Institute of Technology
Hengky Chandrahalim, Air Force Institute of Technology

US Patent #11,320,596 B2

Abstract

A passive microscopic Fabry-Pérot Interferometer (FPI) sensor includes a three-dimensional microscopic optical structure formed on a cleaved tip of the optical fighter using a two-photon polymerization process on a photosensitive polymer by a three-dimensional micromachining device. The three-dimensional microscopic optical structure having a hinged optical layer pivotally connected to a distal portion of a suspended structure. A reflective layer is deposited on a mirror surface of the hinged optical layer while in an open position. The hinged optical layer is subsequently positioned in the closed position to align the mirror surface to at least partially reflect a light signal back through the optical fiber.