ASA 124th Meeting New Orleans 1992 October

1aEA11. Intensity-modulated fiber-optic microphone.

James P. Stec

Jeffrey C. Buchholz

Larry A. Gunseor

Micro-Optics Technologies, Inc., 8606 University Green #5, P.O. Box 377, Middleton, WI 53562

Richard L. McKinley

Angela R. McCavitt

Armstrong Laboratory, Wright--Patterson AFB, OH 45433

A fiber-optic microphone has been developed that can detect low acoustic sound pressure levels. The microphone is an extrinsic intensity-modulated fiber-optic level sensor. The optical mechanisms involved and the effect on performance of fiber placement with respect to the optical element will be discussed. Plots of frequency response, sensitivity, and a tape recording made using the microphone will be presented.