Real Time Optical Sensor for Detecting Surface Contamination from Propulsion Byproducts

"In this project, we will demonstrate the feasibility of a low cost Fiber Optics EvanescentWave Sensor (FOES) for real time detection of surface contamination from propulsionbyproducts. The FOES is an all optical, low cost, lightweight (<100 grams) device, capableof sensing the spatial extent and nature of a variety of chemical species to the levelof a few parts per billion. Preliminary tests have indicated that the FOES is capable ofsensing contamination from chemical deposition as well as from material ablation fromthe impact of space debris. Because the FOES is based on silica glass fiber technology,the sensor is rugged, consumes low power (<250 mW), and can operate in harsh environments.The FOES could be easily be incorporated into a critical spacecraft or missile surface,even one with limited accessibility or complex shapes, for nonintrusive measurements ofmultiple chemical species. A single FOES sensor produces an integrated measurement; anetworked matrix of FOES sensors can be used to obtain the coordinates of a specificcontaminated area. The innovation here is the development of a new and highly sensitivemethod of contamination detection, compatible with the rigorous payload restrictionsof flight hardware, features which are attractive for low mass or miniature interceptorsand microsatellites. The development of the FOES complements recent BMDO-sponsored efforts by Rice Systemson the design of an integrated optics sensor for c