A Multicore Optical Fiber Sensor for Mass Transport and Particulates

Owen Research November 4, 1996 40016 The characterization of particulates and three-dimensional fluid flow in the subsea environment is central to understanding and monitoring energy related material transport in the marine ecosystem. However, detailed particulate characterization is difficult with current technology, which uses microscopy optics, because unrestrained particles move rapidly through the narrow depth of field. This project will build and test a holographic fiber optic sensor system which uses coherent solid state lasers to record a three-dimensional field of undisturbed particulates over a deep depth of field. Fiber optics allows both relatively non-invasive measurements and remote access to the measurement site. In Phase I, particles in a flow field will be imaged holographically through fiber optic waveguides, and numerical image reconstruction and wavelet transforms will be used to analyze fluid flow and mass transport. The proposed project should result in a small, rugged, and mobile unit that can mate with an autonomous of remotely operated submersible vehicle. Anticipated Results/Potential Commercial Applications as described by the awardee: Commercial applications can be divided into research, industrial, and military applications. Research applications include studies of energy-related material transport in the marine ecosystem. Industrial applications include environmental surveying, aquaculture, ocean waste disposal monitoring, engineering turbidity, mine tailing monitoring, and underwater lidar. Military applications include a variety of naval coastal sensors.