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Abstract

The optical fiber sensor device comprises a probe light supply unit, an optical fiber sensor unit, and a polarization state measuring unit. The probe light supply unit generates and outputs a polarization switched light beam by alternately switching a polarized CW light beam in polarization directions orthogonal to each other with elapse of time. The optical fiber sensor unit includes a loop-state optical fiber into which the polarization switched light beam is input and which outputs a light wave reflecting a change of birefringence according to a stress applied from an outside in the polarization switched light beam. The polarization state measuring unit observes polarization states of the respective light waves propagating clockwise and counterclockwise through the optical fiber. The polarization state measuring unit calculates an angular velocity vector ω_b defined by an equation that specifies a relationship between a temporal change rate ds_out(t)/dt of a Stokes vector s_out(t) giving a polarization state of the light wave from the optical fiber and the Stokes vector s_out(t) for each of the clockwise and counterclockwise light waves. The angular velocity vector ω_b gives a direction of a rotation center axis and a rotation angular velocity of the Stokes vector s_out(t).

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First Claim