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At least 127 records · Page 7

Semicomputational calculation of Bragg shift in stratified materials

The fiber Bragg grating (FBG) may be viewed as a one dimensional photonic band-gap crystal by virtue of the periodic spatial perturbation imposed on the fiber core dielectric material. Similar to media supporting Bloch waves, the engraved weak index modulation, presenting a periodic “potential” to an incoming guided mode photon of the fiber, yields useful spectral properties that have been the basis for sensing applications and emerging quantum squeezing and solitons. The response of an FBG sensor to arbitrary external stimuli represents a multiphysics problem without a known analytical solution despite the growing use of FBGs in classical and quantum sensing and metrology. Here, we study this problem by first presenting a solid mechanics model for the thermal and elastic states of a stratified material. Additionally, the model considers an embedded optical material domain that represents the Bragg grating, here in the form of an FBG. Using the output of this model, we then compute the optical modes and their temperature- and stress-induced behavior. The developed model is applicable to media of arbitrary shape and composition, including soft matter and materials with nonlinear elasticity and geometric nonlinearity. Finally, we employ the computed surface stress and temperature distributions along the grating to analytically calculate the Bragg shift, which is found to be in reasonable agreement with our experimental measurements.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

The Fabrication of an Evanescent Field Sensor

We present current results concerning novel sensor-based applications for tilted angle fiber Bragg gratings summarized in a recently filed patent. In addition, concepts involving the coupling of light out of the core region of an optical fiber using ablated corrugations to induce interactions with the surrounding media will also be discussed. The interactions between the media and the coupled light formulate the sensing mechanism for both of these devices. The research illustrated here is an extension of previous work that investigated the affects of intense UV radiation fields on both SiO2 and Ge-doped SiO2-based structures (specifically optical fibers and preforms). Finally, these sensors were devised in order to satisfy an experimental task set forth by NASA Glenn involving the production of a prototype evanescent field sensor capable of real-time, dynamic index of refraction measurements as well as early (ultra-high sensitivity) detection of icing on airplane wings.

Lyons, Donald R.↗

Fiber optic system for direct detection of CO 2 leakage in carbon storage wells (Abbreviated Final Report)

The feasibility study focused on the development of new fiber for distributed chemical sensing that will allow direct detection of CO2 leakages in the environment. This is particularly important for monitoring well integrity for carbon capture and storage (CSS), which can provide early warning for an incoming well failure and potential CO2 leaking through it. We proposed Raman or IR interrogation within gas-filled Holey Fibers (HoFs) interleaved with Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sections, so that the location and concentration of the gases would be provided simultaneously. The methodology would overcome current roadblocks to using fiber optics for CO2 (and other gases) detection in wells with direct in-situ measurements of concentration along with other important parameters such as temperature and pressure. We were able to assess commercially available IR/Raman hollow core fiber and demonstrated detection of CO2 through them in our controlled environment setups at various pressure conditions. We have also established the ability of drilling precisely with fs-lases side holes to enable penetration of CO2 into the hollow core fiber and reduce diffusion rates. Open joint collars were also explored with double functionality: to obtain splice to solid core fiber critical for field deployment and create gas ingress locations. Both diffusion-only and pressurized fiber system have been constructed following COMSOL based semi-hybrid optical /fluidodynamics models. FBGs have been identified and procured and characterized. Along the work we leveraged internal modeling/design, photonics/laser characterization, optical fiber fabrication, and AM lab capabilities to design, develop and test in-house components or assemblies. Our results indicate the potential of HoF for CO2 downhole direct detection.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Design, Fabrication, Testing and Validation of a Ruggedized Fiber Optic Sensing System (FOSS) for Launch Application

Fiber-optic sensors based on fiber Bragg grating (FBG) is desirable for structural health monitoring and is used for various aerospace applications such as measuring strain and temperature, where a single optical fiber can multiplex hundreds of FBG sensors. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Armstrong Flight Research Center (AFRC) (Edwards, California) has been developing an optical fiber-based sensing suite called Fiber Optics Sensing System (FOSS) over the past two decades. Successful strain monitoring flight demonstrations such as the NASA Ikhana (General Atomics, San Diego, California) remotely piloted aircraft and the X-56A Multi-Utility Technology Testbed (Lockheed Martin Corporation, Bethesda, Maryland) remotely piloted subscale aircraft have been performed. Interest in adapting fiber-optic sensors for aerospace applications has led to commissioning the development of a ruggedized FOSS system for spaceflight through the NASA Launch Services Program (LSP) at the NASA Kennedy Space Center (KSC) (Merritt Island, Florida). In this paper, a ruggedized FOSS suitable for a launch environment is discussed in detail. Thermal analysis and enclosure design will be discussed as well as environmental testing such as shock, random vibration, thermal vacuum, and electromagnetic interference/electromagnetic compatibility (EMI/EMC). With all relevant environmental testing completed, a ruggedized FOSS unit has successfully passed all testing and is now deemed space-launch ready.

Allen R. Parker, Jr↗

Fiber optic system for direct detection of CO2 leakage in carbon storage wells

The feasibility study focused on the development of new fiber for distributed chemical sensing (DCS) that will allow direct detection of CO 2 leakages in the environment. This is particularly important for monitoring well integrity for carbon capture and storage (CSS), to provide early warning for an incoming well failure and potential CO 2 leaking through it. We proposed Raman or IR interrogation within gas-filled Holey Fibers (HoFs) interleaved with standard solid core fibers and Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sections, so that the location and concentration of the gases would be provided simultaneously by means of reflectometry. The methodology would overcome current roadblocks to using fiber optics for CO 2 (and other gases) detection in wells with direct in-situ measurements of concentration along with other important parameters such as temperature and pressure as the baseline of environment background.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Feasibility of using distribute chemical sensing for CO2 leakage monitoring

The feasibility study focused on the development of new fiber for distributed chemical sensing (DCS) that will allow direct detection of CO 2 leakages in the environment. This is particularly important for monitoring well integrity for carbon capture and storage (CSS), to provide early warning for an incoming well failure and potential CO 2 leaking through it. We proposed Raman or IR interrogation within gas-filled Holey Fibers (HoFs) interleaved with standard solid core fibers and Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sections, so that the location and concentration of the gases would be provided simultaneously by means of reflectometry. The methodology would overcome current roadblocks to using fiber optics for CO 2 (and other gases) detection in wells with direct in-situ measurements of concentration along with other important parameters such as temperature and pressure as the baseline of environment background.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Algorithms for Determining Physical Responses of Structures Under Load

Ultra-efficient real-time structural monitoring algorithms have been developed to provide extensive information about the physical response of structures under load. These algorithms are driven by actual strain data to measure accurately local strains at multiple locations on the surface of a structure. Through a single point load calibration test, these structural strains are then used to calculate key physical properties of the structure at each measurement location. Such properties include the structure s flexural rigidity (the product of the structure's modulus of elasticity, and its moment of inertia) and the section modulus (the moment of inertia divided by the structure s half-depth). The resulting structural properties at each location can be used to determine the structure s bending moment, shear, and structural loads in real time while the structure is in service. The amount of structural information can be maximized through the use of highly multiplexed fiber Bragg grating technology using optical time domain reflectometry and optical frequency domain reflectometry, which can provide a local strain measurement every 10 mm on a single hair-sized optical fiber. Since local strain is used as input to the algorithms, this system serves multiple purposes of measuring strains and displacements, as well as determining structural bending moment, shear, and loads for assessing real-time structural health. The first step is to install a series of strain sensors on the structure s surface in such a way as to measure bending strains at desired locations. The next step is to perform a simple ground test calibration. For a beam of length l (see example), discretized into n sections and subjected to a tip load of P that places the beam in bending, the flexural rigidity of the beam can be experimentally determined at each measurement location x. The bending moment at each station can then be determined for any general set of loads applied during operation.

Richards, W. Lance↗

Acoustic Sensing Fiber Coupled with Highly Magnetostrictive Ribbon for Small-Scale Magnetic-Field Detection

Fiber-optic sensing has shown promising development for use in detecting magnetic fields for downhole and biomedical applications. Coupling existing fiber-based strain sensors with highly magnetostrictive materials allows for a new method of magnetic characterization capable of distributed and high-sensitivity field measurements. This study investigates the strain response of the highly magnetostrictive alloys Metglas® 2605SC and Vitrovac® 7600 T70 using Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) acoustic sensors and an applied AC magnetic field. Sentek Instrument’s picoDAS interrogated the distributed FBG sensors set atop a ribbon of magnetostrictive material, and the corresponding strain response transferred to the fiber was analyzed. Using the Vitrovac® ribbon, a minimal detectable field amplitude of 60 nT was achieved. Using Metglas®, an even better sensitivity was demonstrated, where detected field amplitudes as low as 3 nT were measured via the strain response imparted to the FBG sensor. Distributed FBG sensors are readily available commercially, easily integrated into existing interrogation systems, and require no bonding to the magnetostrictive material for field detection. The simple sensor configuration with nanotesla-level sensitivity lends itself as a promising means of magnetic characterization and demonstrates the potential of fiber-optic acoustic sensors for distributed measurements.

Dejneka, Zach (ORCID:0000000179415708)↗

Optical Fiber Spectroscopy

This is the final report of work done on NASA Grant NAG-1-443. The work covers the period from July 1, 1992 to December 1, 1998. During this period several distinct but related research studies and work tasks were undertaken. These different subjects are enumerated below with a description of the work done on each of them. The focus of the research was the development of optical fibers for use as distributed temperature and stress sensors. The initial concept was to utilize the utilize the temperature and stress dependence of emission from rare earth and transition metal ions substitutionally doped into crystalline or glass fibers. During the course of investigating this it became clear that fiber Bragg gratings provided a alternative for making the desired measurements and there was a shift of research focus on to include the photo-refractive properties of germano-silicate glasses used for most gratings and to the possibility of developing fiber laser sources for an integrated optical sensor in the research effort. During the course of this work several students from Christopher Newport University and other universities participated in this effort. Their names are listed below. Their participation was an important part of their education.

Buoncristiani, A. M.↗

Distributed fiber sensing systems for 3D combustion temperature field monitoring in coal-fired boilers using optically generated acoustic waves (Final Report)

In this project, we have developed and tested three kinds of fiber optic sensing systems for real time monitoring of temperature variations within an industrial scale boiler furnace. The fiber optic sensing systems target spatial and temporal distributions of high temperature profiles in a boiler furnace in fossil power plants. The reconstructed temperature profile will provide critical input for the control mechanisms to optimize the combustion process. This temperature profile will address the essential problem for fossil power plants in achieving higher efficiency and fewer pollutant emissions. Acoustic pyrometer systems have been used to reconstruct temperature field of power plant boilers based on measuring TOF (times-of-flight) of sound waves along some straight paths in a 2D cross-section of the boiler. In this project, optically generated acoustic signals from a fiber optic sensing system have replaced the acoustic signals generated from an electrical transducer. A 3D reconstruction algorithm replaced the previous 2D model. In this project, three kinds of fiber optic sensing systems have been developed and tested. They are fiber optic sensing system I, fiber optic sensing system II (Distributed Sensing System I) and fiber optic sensing system III (Distributed Sensing System II). For fiber optic sensing system I, the fiber optic ultrasound generator acts as a signal generator. A microphone, hydrophone or other electronic devices serve as a signal receiver. In this system, there are one generator and one receiver. Distance test, water temperature test, air temperature test, air temperature reconstruction, and GE ISBF pilot test were performed by Fiber optic sensing system I. The fiber optic sensing system I successfully detected temperature in all these tests. We got 2D temperature reconstruction results by using the fiber optic sensing system I and it matched the reference data. The fiber optic sensing system I successfully survived in GE ISBF boiler environment (480 °F). For fiber optic sensing system II (Distributed Sensing System I), it is an all optical ultrasound system. The fiber optic ultrasound generator acts as a signal generator. Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) and Fabry-Perot (FP) sensor act as a signal receiver. In this system, there is one generator and one receiver. Aluminum plate temperature test, furnace high temperature test, and GE ISBF pilot test were performed by the fiber optic sensing system II. Fiber optic sensing system II successfully detected the temperature in all these tests. The fiber optic sensing system II successfully survived at up to 700 °C furnace environment and 320 °C GE ISBF boiler environment. For fiber optic sensing system III (Distributed Sensing System II), it is also an all optical ultrasound system. The fiber optic ultrasound generator acts as a signal generator. Multiple FP fiber sensors act as signal receivers. In this system, there is one generator and three receivers. Three GE ISBF pilot tests were performed by fiber optic sensing system III. The fiber optic sensing system III survived in the cold flow tests in GE’s ISBF pilot test facility. However, we didn’t get high temperature data by using this system since the nanosecond laser issues. During the period of the project, test trials, data simulation and algorithm optimization was performed successfully. For real time temperature field construction, the sampling rate must be fast enough to capture the field variations. The technology of Code-division multiple access (CDMA) is well studied which could allow parallel multiplexing, even if signals overlap in time or frequencies. Moreover, it has been known that extending the length of signal significantly improves SNR. For acoustic signals, these multiplexing techniques have also been widely used, mainly for sonar and acoustic communications. The CDMA modulation technique has been proposed and studied to guarantee high network throughput, low channel access delay and low energy consumption. We have studied the temperature field reconstruction using Gaussian Radial Basis Functions (GRBF)-based approximation approach. Reconstruction of 3D temperature field using Neural Networks with measured TOF and known propagation paths is feasible. 2D and 3D temperature field reconstruction simulation results are achieved. The milestone status is shown in Table 1. We finished milestone 1-8 and milestone 10. For milestone 9, we did three pilot tests by using the fiber optic sensing system III (Distributed Sensing System II) at GE Power. However, due to the failure of the ns laser, we did not get the temperature results. We conducted some additional tasks that were not originally proposed: 1) We fabricated a fiber optic sensing system I and did a pilot test based on this system. 2) In the proposal, we proposed two pilot tests at GE Power. In reality, we finished at least seven pilot tests at GE Power. GE Power has made a lot of efforts for supporting the pilot tests. 3) We got a simulation results based on CDMA. In summary, most of the tasks have been accomplished. The outcome of this project removed a few barriers that hinder the achievement of the final product of the distributed sensing systems. With the successful accomplishment of this project, a prototype of the fiber optic sensing system can be fabricated to attract more interests from companies and other funding agencies.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Feasibility of using distributed chemical sensing for CO2 leakage monitoring

The feasibility study focused on the development of new fiber for distributed chemical sensing (DCS) that will allow direct detection of CO 2 leakages in the environment. This is particularly important for monitoring well integrity for carbon capture and storage (CCS), to provide early warning for an incoming well failure and potential CO 2 leaking through it. We proposed using optical spectroscopy in optical fiber for direct detection of CO 2 . The main approach is based on Raman interrogation within gas-filled Holey Fibers (HoFs), so that the location and concentration of the gases would be provided simultaneously via backscattering. Additionally, Infrared (IR) Absorption Spectroscopy could also be used, and the architecture would be more discrete since interleaving with standard solid core fibers and Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sections is required to enable reflection to the I/O controls. The possible Raman length or the IR numbers of sections would be defined based on signal to noise ratio. The optical spectroscopy methodology would overcome current roadblocks to CCS, as fiber optics will allow for CO 2 (and other gases) detection in wells with direct in-situ measurements of concentration along with other important parameters such as temperature and pressure as the baseline of environment background.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Fiber Optic Temperature Sensors in TPS: Arc Jet Model Design & Testing

Techniques for using fiber optics with Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBGs) have been developed by IFOS Corp. for use in thermal protection systems (TPS) on spacecraft heat shield materials through NASA Phase 1 and 2 SBIR efforts and have been further improved in a recent collaboration between IFOS and NASA that will be described here. Fiber optic temperature sensors offer several potential advantages over traditional thermocouple sensors including a) multiplexing many sensors in a single fiber to increase sensor density in a given array or to provide spatial resolution, b) improved thermal property match between sensor and TPS to reduce heat flow disruption, c) lack of electrical conductivity.

sensors↗

Novel Fiber Optic Sensing Arrays with Enhanced Sensitivity in Cryogenic Temperatures

State-of-the-art instrumentation techniques have provided an opportunity to obtain greater insight into the characteristics of cryogenic liquid storage. Optical fiber sensors that utilize fiber Bragg gratings are a viable option for temperature sensing in volatile liquid such as liquid oxygen because there is no risk of electrical sparking and no electromagnetic interference. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Armstrong Flight Research Center (Edwards, California) has developed a novel, simple-to-fabricate fiber array sensor that has been tested and found to be three times more sensitive than typical fiber sensors under cryogenic condition (traditional fiber sensors can suffer from reduced sensitivity below 100 K). Cryogenic temperature monitoring using the NASA fiber optic sensing system is demonstrated in a simulated cryostatic condition, as well as in an elevated pressure environment under liquid nitrogen. Measurement accuracy is compared with traditional silicon diodes. Instrument installation, sensor characteristics, and experimental results are discussed in detail.

Hon Man Chan↗

High-Reliability Pump Module for Non-Planar Ring Oscillator Laser

We propose and have demonstrated a prototype high-reliability pump module for pumping a Non-Planar Ring Oscillator (NPRO) laser suitable for space missions. The pump module consists of multiple fiber-coupled single-mode laser diodes and a fiber array micro-lens array based fiber combiner. The reported Single-Mode laser diode combiner laser pump module (LPM) provides a higher normalized brightness at the combined beam than multimode laser diode based LPMs. A higher brightness from the pump source is essential for efficient NPRO laser pumping and leads to higher reliability because higher efficiency requires a lower operating power for the laser diodes, which in turn increases the reliability and lifetime of the laser diodes. Single-mode laser diodes with Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) stabilized wavelength permit the pump module to be operated without a thermal electric cooler (TEC) and this further improves the overall reliability of the pump module. The single-mode laser diode LPM is scalable in terms of the number of pump diodes and is capable of combining hundreds of fiber-coupled laser diodes. In the proof-of-concept demonstration, an e-beam written diffractive micro lens array, a custom fiber array, commercial 808nm single mode laser diodes, and a custom NPRO laser head are used. The reliability of the proposed LPM is discussed.

micro lens array↗

Experimental Investigation of Low-Frequency Distributed Acoustic Strain-Rate Responses to Propagating Fractures

Summary Low-frequency distributed acoustic sensing (LF-DAS) responds to strain changes due to far-field fracture propagation. To better understand the LF-DAS response to fracture propagation, we performed laboratory-scale hydraulic fracture experiments with embedded optical strain sensors. The objectives of this research are to generate hydraulic fractures of known geometry, measure the strain response along the embedded fiber-optic cable comparable to LF-DAS measurements, and use the results to inform the interpretation of field-derived LF-DAS data. The experiments were conducted in unconfined transparent cubic blocks with a dimension of 8 in. on each side. The block was made of transparent epoxy to visualize the fracture propagation. Fiber-optic sensing cables were embedded in the block at different distances to the source of injection. We injected dyed water through an injection tubing to generate a transverse, radial fracture along an initial flaw. An optical interrogator recorded the response of offset fiber Bragg grating (FBG) strain sensors normal to the plane of the fracture. The strain data were visualized on a waterfall plot, akin to visualizations of field-derived LF-DAS data. Dimensional analysis was used to scale the laboratory results to field conditions. We compared the evolution of the strain response at the fiber-optic cable, injection pressure, and rate with known fracture geometry. The measured strains were compared with Sneddon’s (1946) linear elastic solution for a penny-shaped crack and found to follow this behavior. The generated radial fractures in transparent media can be modeled with Sneddon’s linear elastic radial fracture model and a Mode I critical stress intensity factor. The LF-DAS characteristic response of a narrowing region of extension surrounded by compression was exhibited as a fracture that approached and intersected the fiber-optic cable. The experimentally derived strain and strain-rate waterfall plots with known fracture geometry, injection rate, and pressure response provide insight in understanding LF-DAS responses in the field. Furthermore, we developed a method to estimate fracture geometry evolution from the fiber-optic strain data and validated the method against the experimental data.

Engineering↗

2023 Astrophotonics Roadmap: Pathways to Realizing Multi-Functional Integrated Astrophotonic Instruments

Photonic technologies offer numerous functionalities that can be used to realize astrophotonic instruments. The most spectacular example to date is the ESO Gravity instrument at the Very Large Telescope in Chile that combines the light-gathering power of four 8 m telescopes through a complex photonic interferometer. Fully integrated astrophotonic devices stand to offer critical advantages for instrument development, including extreme miniaturization when operating at the diffraction-limit, as well as integration, superior thermal and mechanical stabilization owing to the small footprint, and high replicability offering significant cost savings. Numerous astrophotonic technologies have been developed to address shortcomings of conventional instruments to date, including for example the development of photonic lanterns to convert from multimode inputs to single mode outputs, complex aperiodic fiber Bragg gratings to filter OH emission from the atmosphere, complex beam combiners to enable long baseline interferometry with for example, ESO Gravity, and laser frequency combs for high precision spectral calibration of spectrometers. Despite these successes, the facility implementation of photonic solutions in astronomical instrumentation is currently limited because of (1) low throughputs from coupling to fibers, coupling fibers to chips, propagation and bend losses, device losses, etc, (2) difficulties with scaling to large channel count devices needed for large bandwidths and high resolutions, and (3) efficient integration of photonics with detectors, to name a few. In this roadmap, we identify 24 key areas that need further development. We outline the challenges and advances needed across those areas covering design tools, simulation capabilities, fabrication processes, the need for entirely new components, integration and hybridization and the characterization of devices. To realize these advances the astrophotonics community will have to work cooperatively with industrial partners who have more advanced manufacturing capabilities. With the advances described herein, multi-functional integrated instruments will be realized leading to novel observing capabilities for both ground and space based platforms, enabling new scientific studies and discoveries.

astrophotonics↗

Boosting SNR of cascaded FBGs in a sapphire fiber through a rapid heat treatment

This Letter reports the performance of femtosecond (fs) laser-written distributed fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) under high-temperature conditions up to 1600°C and explores the impact of rapid heat treatment on signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) enhancement. FBGs are essential for reliable optical sensing in extreme temperature environments. Comprehensive tests demonstrate the remarkable performance and resilience of FBGs at temperatures up to 1600°C, confirming their suitability for deployment in such conditions. Here, the study also reveals significant fringe visibility improvements of up to ∼10 dB on a 1-m-long sapphire optical fiber through rapid heat treatment, representing a first-time achievement to the best of our knowledge. These enhancements are vital for improving the SNR and overall performance of optical fiber systems in extreme temperatures. Furthermore, the research attains long-term stability for the cascaded FBGs over a 24-hr period at 1600°C. This research expands our understanding of the FBG behavior in high-temperature environments and opens avenues for developing robust optical fiber systems for energy, aerospace, oil and gas, and high-temperature distributed sensing applications.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Monitoring of Structural Integrity of Composite Structures by Embedded Optical Fiber Sensors

Real time monitoring of the mechanical integrity and stresses on key aerospace composite structures like aircraft wings, walls of pressure vessels and fuel tanks or any other structurally extended components and panels as in space telescopes is very important to NASA. Future military and commercial aircraft as well as NASA space systems such as Space Based Radar and International Space Station will incorporate a monitoring system to sense any degradation to the structure. In the extreme flight conditions of an aerospace vehicle it might be desirable to measure the strain every ten centimeters and thus fully map out the strain field of a composite component. A series of missions and vehicle health management requirements call for these measurements. At the moment thousands of people support a few vehicle launches per year. This number can be significantly reduced by implementing intelligent vehicles with integral nervous systems (smart structures). This would require maintenance to be performed only as needed. Military and commercial aircrafts have an equally compelling case. Maintenance yearly costs are currently reaching astronomical heights. Monitoring techniques are therefore required that allow for maintenance to be performed only when needed. This would allow improved safety by insuring that necessary tasks are performed while reducing costs by eliminating procedures that are costly and not needed. The advantages fiber optical sensors have over conventional electro-mechanical systems like strain gauges have been widely extolled in the research literature. These advantages include their small size, low weight, immunity to electrical resistance, corrosion resistance, compatibility with composite materials and process conditions, and multiplexing capabilities. One fiber optic device which is suitable for distributed sensing is the fiber Bragg grating (FBG). Researchers at NASA MSFC are currently developing techniques for using FBGs for monitoring the integrity of advanced structural materials expected to become the mainstay of the current and future generation space structures. Since carbon-epoxy composites are the materials of choice for the current space structures, the initial study is concentrated on this type of composite. The goals of this activity are to use embedded FBG sensors for measuring strain and temperature of composite structures, and to investigate the effects of various parameters such as composite fiber orientation with respect to the optical sensor, unidirectional fiber composite, fabrication process etc., on the optical performance of the sensor. This paper describes an experiment to demonstrate the use of an embedded FBG for measuring strain in a composite material. The performance of the fiber optic sensor is determined by direct comparison with results from more conventional instrumentation.

Albert J. Osei↗