Frequency-Equalized Electro-Optic Phase Modulators for High-Precision Interferometric Inertial Sensors

In this SBIR program, Structured Materials Industries, Inc. and partners will develop electro optic phase modulators with flat frequency response, low switching voltage and multi-decade environmental lifetime. The SBIR team will develop the materials and the fabrication technology for the high precision phase modulators, and demonstrate their performance benefits for strategic grade, high precision inertial navigation systems, including fiber optic gyroscopes and accelerometers.During Phase I of this SBIR project, SMI and partners will demonstrate technical feasibility of the approach. Phase I will also establish the design for a prototype Y-branch dual phase modulator, along with a plan for fabrication, optimization and demonstration of packaged prototypes in Phase II. In Phase II, the SBIR team will fabricate a small lot of prototype Y-branch dual phase modulators, and demonstrate operation in suitable test beds. The SBIR team will perform accelerated aging tests of the modulator, and demonstrate long-term environmental stability. The team will also deliver prototype modulators to the Navy for evaluation and validation by the end of Phase II.