Optical transducers are provided for detecting forces such as, rotation
and transversal forces acting on them, wherein, for the purpose of
detecting the forces, optical signals are transmitted through an optical
path, for instance defined by an optical fiber. Moreover, polarization
scrambling means are provided together with polarizing means, with the
polarization scrambling means being adapted to render the polarization of
the optical signals entering the optical path either parallel or
perpendicular to the axis of polarization of the polarizing means. The
polarization of optical signals transmitted through the transducer is
further modified as a result of forces acting on the transducer so that
the optical signals exiting the transducer can be used for the purpose of
detecting the forces.