Abstract

An optical fiber sensor for electric field and electric charge, based on the deflection of a small cantilever, has been developed. When the sensor head is placed in an electric field, induced charging produces deflection of the cantilever, which is measured using low-coherence, Fabry–Perot interferometry. The sensor has been used to measure the electric field in the vicinity of a Van de Graaff generator, in the range 135–650 V/cm. The measured deflections are in good agreement with the predictions of a simple model equating the electrostatic and mechanical forces acting on the cantilever.

© 1997 Optical Society of America

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