A Magnetic Actuator for Fiber-Optic Applications

Abstract

Optical fibers coated with various non-magnetized ferromagnetic materials and actuated by external magnetic fields were designed and characterized to demonstrate the feasibility for remote scanning. Cobalt, iron, nickel, and samarium-cobalt powders were used to enable the actuation. Silica optical fibers were coated with a mixture of 70% enamel paint and 30% various ferromagnetic materials. The static and dynamic measurements were preformed under the remote control of an electromagnet. Experiments with different ferromagnetic materials and different suspended fiber lengths of 3.2 cm, 4.2 cm, 5.2 cm, 6.2 cm, and 7.2 cm were performed to compare with theory. The static displacements, dynamic displacements and resonant frequencies of the actuation were measured.

Scanning and Actuation Techniques for Cantilever-Based Fiber Optic Endoscopic Scanners—A Review

“…In this design, an optical fiber was coated with a ferromagnetic gel which experienced a bending motion in the presence of an external magnetic field generated by a magnet placed at the outer surface. The schematic configuration of this device is shown in Figure 20 [ 141 ].…”

“… Schematic of a magnetically actuated fiber-based imaging system (reprinted with permission from [ 141 ]). …”