A fiber optic sensor comprises a flexural disk having a pair of fiber optic
coils mounted on opposite sides thereof and connected together to form an
interferometer that produces an output signal in response to acceleration
of the flexural disk. The flexural disk is mounted in a housing having
first and second end plates with a sidewall extending between them. The
sidewall is formed to have an inwardly facing groove in which an outer
edge portion of the flexural disk is mounted. A support member extends
between oppositely facing portions of the first and second end plates and
through a central passage in the flexural disk. A damping member is
mounted on the central support member and arranged to exert a radial force
on an inner edge of the central passage in flexural disk to dampen
vibrations of the flexural disk and control the sensor output signal
amplitude over a selected frequency band in order to maximize dynamic
range.