Self-calibrated flexible holographic curvature sensor

Abstract

Optical curvature sensors find regular use in deformation analysis, typically requiring pre-calibration and post-processing of the gathered data. In this work, a self-calibrated curvature sensor based on flexible holographic metasurfaces operating in the visible range is presented. In contrast to existing solutions, the sensor can be fabricated independently from the target objects and provides an immediate readout of their curvature. The sensor consists of distinct patterned areas that create images of a reference scale and of a position indicator, which shift with respect to each other, as the metasurface is deformed. The results of this sensor are validated with an external calibration and critically discuss the types of deformations that the sensor can detect. This feature makes the sensor particularly attractive for applications where real-time curvature monitoring is essential, such as in robotics, biomechanics, and structural health monitoring.