Force meter with optical waveguide integrated in a substrate

Abstract

An optical waveguide force meter for the measurement of forces or stresses integrated on a single substrate, including: a single-mode transducer waveguide supporting only the stresses which are applied through the intermediate portion of an upper plate of the force meter; a coupling/mixing grating having N focussing concave gratings provided adjacent an exit end of the optical waveguide; N detectors arranged at each of the N focussing points of waves defracted by the coupling/mixing grating; N TM polarization filters arranged respectively between each concave grating and each detector; and a single-mode laser source. The waveguide, coupling/mixing grating and polarization filters are all provided on the single substrate. The single-mode laser source and detectors are supported by the substrate and by an underlying base plate member.