Optical Fiber Devices for Composite Process Monitoring

The primary objective of the Phase 1 program was the development of optical fiber devices and cost-effective signal conditioning systems to produce commercially available composite process monitoring systems. The tasks successfully completed during the Phase 1 effort are as follows: (1) examined the performance requirements of the optical fiber devices and demodulation systems for FT-IR- and fluorescent-based process monitoring systems, (2) fabricated special high-index fiber to operate in the near infrared (NIR) that is compatible with standard fiber optical connection components, (3) designed high-index optical fiber compatible grating fabrication that maintains optical transmission quality in the desired wave-length ranges, (4) designed and fabricated a prototype optical launch system for use with FT-IR systems to monitor epoxy resin cure, (5) designed and fabricated a prototype grating-based optical fiber sensor to monitor resin flow during composite processing, (6) investigated sensor elements for fluorescent applications, (7) designed and constructed cost-effective signal conditioning systems, and (8) demonstrated prototypes at F&S and NIST. The objective of the proposed Phase 2 program is to build upon the success of the Phase 1 effort and produce commercially available cure monitoring instrumentation based on patented F&S technology.