Fiber Optic Dynamic Strain Sensors for Seismic Monitoring

"This project is focus on the development of a new technology for seismic sensors that are very small, highly sensitive and immune to electromagnetic interference (EMI), along with a sophisticated computer based real time data acquisition, processing andanalysis system. The detection system is based on optical fiber Bragg grating sensors for dynamic strain and acoustic emissions. In phase I of this project a single sensor is developed, while in phase II a multiple sensor network covering a wide area willbe developed. The detection sensitivity will be high enough so that the sensors will be able to monitor seismic activitis induced by troop and/or vehicle movement in the vicinity of the sensors. The sensors developed under this program will be ideal for troop/vehicle movement monitoring and information gethering in the battle field. These can all accomplished remotely and automatically with the fiber optic sensors proporsed here. Commercialapplications are equally promising, since the sensos can be used for highway and bridge monitoring, down hole sensing and monitoring for oil/gas exploration."