A Feedback-Based Linear Spectral Fitting Demodulation Method for Interrogating Extrinsic Fabry–Pérot Interferometric Sensors

Spectral demodulation is a crucial component of the extrinsic Fabry–Pérot interferometric (EFPI) sensing technology. In this study, a feedback-based linear spectral fitting demodulation method is proposed for interrogating EFPI sensors. This method utilizes a discrete function derivative and a feedback amplitude calibration technique to extract the complete spectral phase, and the cavity length of the EFPI sensor is determined by performing a linear fit to the relationship between the optical frequency and the spectral phase. The experimental results indicated a nonlinearity of 0.134% over a cavity length range of 50–260 μm, and the resolution was 6.6 nm at a cavity length of 170.210 μm. Pressure measurements obtained with the developed sensor exhibited a nonlinearity of 0.401%. Compared to traditional spectral minimum mean square error algorithms, the proposed method is simpler and faster, making it more suitable for implementation on commodity hardware and better aligned with the practical needs of engineering applications.