Underwater Vertical Electric Field Detection

Underwater electric field detection in the vertical (Z-component) direction is becoming more important in anti-submarine warfare (ASW) to detect and classify marine vessels in addition to the horizontal (X and Y component) plane. Leveraging on our extensive experience on photonic approaches for electric field sensing and RF photonics, AGILTRON proposes to realize a feasible class of vertical electric field detectors under water using Brag gratings, PZT electronic optical materials and other WDM technology. This sensor is passive and compact with a meter-size antenna. Because of the intrinsic electromagnetic immunity of optical fiber, the detected signal can be sent to a distanced center processing terminal insulated from the static electric and electromagnetic fields. In the proposed sensor, the DC and extremely low frequency electromagnetic (ELFE) signals are converted into AC signals. So the sensitivity of the DC and ELFE signals can be improved in this sensor by avoiding 1/f noise. In the Phase I program, we will build a model to simulate the performance of the proposed sensor. At same time, a prototype will be set up to demonstrate its functionality in detecting electric fields. Then a design with its preliminary performance based on ASW requirements will be presented for the Phase II Program.