Patent ID: 7697798
Filing Date: 2010-04-13
Classification: G01D,G01L,G02B

Abstract:
1. An intensity modulated fiber optic pressure sensor, comprising: at least one multimode optical fiber with a core and cladding surrounding the core; a silicon diaphragm having a reflective surface and having an outer circumferential edge attached to a cylindrical support element; and at least one cylindrical housing disposed circumferentially around the diaphragm and the optical fiber, an end face of the cylindrical housing being adhered to the cylindrical support element, the diaphragm having an exterior face exposed to the exterior environment, the diaphragm, the support element, and an end of the optical fiber forming a cavity, wherein the diaphragm and the cylindrical support element are formed by a process of masking and etching a portion of a first silicon layer of a silicon-on-insulator wafer, wherein the unetched portion forms the cylindrical support element, and a portion of a second thinner silicon layer of the silicon-on-insulator wafer that is exposed by the etching forms the diaphragm.