Proposal of suspended-core fiber vector hydrophone accelerometer based on specialty fiber

Zhao W., Kang Yujie, Ge Wenlong, Gong Min, Huang Jie, Kang Yuhao, Xiang Yuanyuan, Yang Xinghua, Tian Fengjun

For Russian citation (Opticheskii Zhurnal):

For citation (Journal of Optical Technology):

Zhao W., Kang Yu., Ge W., Gong M., Huang J., Kang Yu., Xiang Yu., Yang X., Tian F. Proposal of suspended-core fiber vector hydrophone accelerometer based on specialty fiber (Волоконный векторный акселерометр гидрофона с подвесной сердцевиной на основе специального волокна) [на англ. яз.] // Оптический журнал. 2026. Т. 93. № 11. С. 18–29. http://doi.org/10.17586/1023-5086-2026-93-11-18-29

Zhao W., Kang Yu., Ge W., Gong M., Huang J., Kang Yu., Xiang Yu., Yang X., Tian F. Proposal of suspended-core fiber vector hydrophone accelerometer based on specialty fiber [in English] // Opticheskii Zhurnal. 2026. V. 93. № 11. P. 18–29. http://doi.org/10.17586/1023-5086-2026-93-11-18-29

Abstract:

The subject of the study. The design of an accelerometer based on a suspended-core special-purpose fiber for use in the design of a fibre-optic vector hydrophone. The purpose of the work. Development of a new phase-type vector accelerometer structure that will implement a vector accelerometer with sensing components embedded in an optical fiber, allowing the device to achieve high sensitivity in low-frequency underwater detection while further miniaturizing its size. Method. The design of suspension-core specialty optical fibers and fiber-optic vector hydrophone accelerometers was conducted through a dual approach that incorporated theoretical analysis and finite element simulation. The design of the fiber-optic vector hydrophone accelerometer structure was achieved via parametric analysis. The main results. The optimal parameters for the fiber-optic vector hydrophone accelerometer structure were determined. The findings indicate that the overall sensitivity remains relatively consistent across the 1–121 Hz frequency range, with an average sensitivity of 37.1 dB (re 1 rad/(m s^–2)). The maximum sensitivity of the structure is achieved at 178 Hz, and the overall structure exhibits good directionality. Practical significance. This study presents an innovative design for the application of specialty optical fibers in vector hydrophone accelerometer systems. Additionally, it offers a more suitable vector hydrophone accelerometer for low-frequency underwater sonar detection in small-scale equipment, such as unmanned underwater vehicles. This provides potential practical value and expands the scope of specialty optical fiber applications in the underwater domain.

Keywords:

suspended-core fiber, hydrophone accelerometer, vibration unit, sensitivity, microdevices

Acknowledgements:

this work is supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC, 62575084).

OCIS codes: 060.2370, 060.2430 280.3050, 120.3180, 120.7280

References:

1. Ramakrishnan M., Rajan G., Semenova Y., et al. Overview of fiber optic sensor technologies for strain/temperature sensing applications in composite materials // Sensors. 2016. V. 16. № 1. P. 99. doi: org/10.3390/s16010099.

2. Leung C.K.Y., Wan K.T., Inaudi D., et al. Review: Optical fiber sensors for civil engineering applications // Mater. Struct. 2015. V. 48. № 4. P. 871–906. doi: 10.1617/s11527-013-0201-7.

3. Motsi N., Stamou G., Angelopoulos S., et al. Development of a high sensitivity hydrophone at a spectrum range from 0.1 Hz to 100 kHz // Sens. Actuator A Phys. 2024. V. 372. P. 115338. doi: 10.1016/j.sna.2024.115338.

4. Li Z., Wang C., Gui X., et al. A high-performance fiber-optic hydrophone for large scale arrays // J. Lightwave Technol. 2023. V. 41. № 13. P. 4201–4210. doi: 10.1109/JLT.2022.3228602.

5. Chen J., Li H., Xiao X., et al. Fully distributed hydroacoustic sensing based on ultra-highly sensitive and lightweight fiber-optic hydrophone cable // Opt. Lasers Eng. 2023. V. 169. P. 107734. doi: 10.1016/j.optlaseng.2023.107734.

6. Plotnikov M.Y., Lavrov V.S., Dmitraschenko P.Y., et al. Thin cable fiber-optic hydrophone array for passive acoustic surveillance applications // IEEE Sens. J. 2019. V. 19. № 9. P. 3376–3382. doi: 10.1109/JSEN.2019.2894323.

7. Meng Z., Chen W., Wang J., et al. Recent progress in fiber-optic hydrophones // Photonic Sens. 2021. V. 11. № 1. P. 109–122. doi: 10.1007/s13320-021-0618-5.

8. Ying D. Intensity-modulation fiber cantilever accelerometer based on vibration modulation and multiple harmonic demodulation // Opt. Commun. 2026. V. 603. P. 132822. doi: 10.1016/j.optcom.2025.132822.

9. Cao X., Liu C., Liu Z., et al. Elastic plate-coupled dual FBG configuration enabling high-sensitivity fiber-optic accelerometer with wide frequency range // IEEE Sens. J. 2025. V. 25. № 10. P. 17085–17093. doi: 10.1109/JSEN.2025.3554663.

10. Zhang Y., Qiao X., Liu Q., et al. Study on a fiber Bragg grating accelerometer based on compliant cylinder // Opt. Fiber Technol. 2015. V. 26. P. 229–233. doi: 10.1016/j.yofte.2015.09.011.

11. Jin M., Ge H., Zhang Z. The optimal design of a 3D column type fiber-optic vector hydrophone // Proc. 2016 IEEE/OES China Ocean Acoustics (COA). Harbin, China. 2016. P. 1–5. doi: 10.1109/COA.2016.7535714.

12. Zhang X., Zhang F., Jiang S., et al. Short cavity DFB fiber laser based vector hydrophone for low frequency signal detection // Photonic Sens. 2017. V. 7. № 4. P. 325–328. doi: 10.1007/s13320-017-0453-x.

13. Liu F., Yi D., Chen Y., et al. Common-mode noise self-suppressed 3-component fiber optic accelerometer based on low-reflectivity Bragg gratings // Opt. Lett. 2021. V. 46. № 7. P. 1596. doi: 10.1364/OL.417034.

14. Chen Y., Liu F., Tong H., et al. A three-dimensional optical fiber vector hydrophone based on optical fiber accelerometers with integrated structural design // Acta Acust. 2025. V. 50. № 1. P. 157–164. doi: 10.12395/0371-0025.2023161.

15. Amaral L.M.N., Frazão O., Santos J.L., et al. Fiber-optic inclinometer based on taper Michelson interfe-rometer // IEEE Sens. J. 2011. V. 11. № 9. P. 1811–1814. doi: 10.1109/JSEN.2011.2105264.

16. Liu L., Lu P., Liao H., et al. Fiber-optic Michelson interferometric acoustic sensor based on a PP/PET diaphragm // IEEE Sens. J. 2016. V. 16. № 9. P. 3054–3058. doi: 10.1109/JSEN.2016.2526644.

17. Liu Y., Qi B., Winder D.E. Faraday Michelson interferometers for signal demodulation of fiber-optic sensors // J. Lightwave Technol. 2021. V. 39. № 8. P. 2552–2558. doi: 10.1109/JLT.2021.3053370.

18. Wang C., Hu P., Lv P., et al. Design and simulation of piezoelectric acoustic emission sensor // IEEE Sens. J. 2025. V. 25. № 17. P. 32117–32126. doi: 10.1109/JSEN.2025.3592934.

19. Liu Q., Gross S., Dekker P., et al. Competition of Faraday rotation and birefringence in femtosecond laser direct written waveguides in magneto-optical glass // Opt. Exp. 2014. V. 22. № 23. P. 28037–28048. doi: 10.1364/OE.22.028037.

20. Li H., Chen H., Ullah S., et al. High-order LP modes based Sagnac interference for temperature sensing with an enhanced optical Vernier effect // Opt. Exp. 2024. V. 32. № 9. P. 16140. doi: 10.1364/OE.521527.