Ultrasensitive, Real-Time Optical Health Monitoring System

This Phase II SBIR project seeks to develop an ultrasensitive optical health monitoring instrument that is capable of measuring changes in the performance of HEL optical components in real-time. The instrument will rapidly and precisely detect extremely small changes in optical loss with high temporal resolution over an extended period of time, and provide a history for subsequent correlation with ABL system performance. The system will provide a means of correlating a measured change in sensor performance with the reduction in performance of similar ABL components specifically at the relevant wavelength (e.g. 1315 nm, 1064 nm, etc). The system will detect changes in performance that occur due to a host of different mechanisms, including adsorption, particle loading, and coating degradation. The Phase I research demonstrated a prototype version of the sensor, and verified the ability to autonomously monitor small yet significant changes in high performance optics over an extended period of time. Designs and associated subcomponents were identified for the Phase II Prototype, and the system was prepared for preliminary testing at an ABL test facility. The Phase II effort will comprise constructing a ruggedized sensor system that possesses expanded capabilities, including a suitably configured data acquisition and analysis system. The Phase II prototype will be tested under a range of controlled environments to characterize system response, and subsequently installed and tested at an ABL test chamber to quantify performance. During Phase III, NovaWave will construct commercial versions of the sensor for subsequent sales to military as well as civilian end-users.