Relative humidity sensor with optical fiber Bragg gratings.

A novel concept for an intrinsic relative humidity (RH) sensor that uses polyimide-recoated fiber Bragg gratings is presented. Tests in a controlled environment indicate that the sensor has a linear, reversible, and accurate response behavior at 10-90% RH and at 13-60 degrees C. The RH and temperature sensitivities were measured as a function of coating thickness, and the thermal and hygroscopic expansion coefficients of the polyimide coating were determined.