Lightweight Laser Magnetic Gradiometer (LLMG)

This Phase I Small Business Research Project will develop a conceptual design for a Lightweight Laser Magnetic Gradiometer suitable for integration into UUVs such as the REMUS 100 and similar platforms. The LLMG is used to characterize buried mines and eliminate sonar clutter in shallow water MCM operations where it is desirable to remove men and other mammals from the water. The LLMG design will consist of two laser-pumped omnidirectional scalar sensors placed along the platform longitudinal axis in a nose housing that is a roll-on, roll-off module for the UUV. Polatomic laser magnetometer technology was recently demonstrated in the Laser Scalar Gradiometer at AUV FEST 07 and 08 with outstanding results. The individual sensors will have a sensitivity better than 15pT/root-Hz and can be operated at their demonstrated sensitivity better than 1 pT/root Hz if required (better than 300 fT/root-Hz in AN/ASQ-233 Airborne MAD system). The LLMG design will address miniaturization and packaging for neutral buoyancy and robustness for handling as a UUV nose cone module. The feasibility of designing and fabricating a LLGM prototype in Phase II will be assessed in Phase I, and the Phase II technical plan will be developed for design and fabrication of a brass-board model in Phase II.