Rapid Transition of Photonic Microsensors for Applications in Harsh Environments

IFOS is working to rapidly transition to end users an innovative fiber-optic-based multi-functional temperature and pressure sensing capability to meet the need for novel instrumentation in propulsion systems (e.g., gas turbines) and industrial applications (e.g., smart factories). IFOS will use proven manufacturing technologies, including femtosecond laser micromachining and fiber-optic arc-fusion-splicing methods, to fabricate its Fabry-Perot Interferometer (FPI) micro-sensors. The FPI sensors are remotely interrogated by a compact (smart-phone-sized) optoelectronic interrogator with signal transport and front-end processing at the speed of light with no speed bottlenecks or latencies. A key result of Phase I was the attainment of customer memoranda from AFRL’s Turbine Engine Division (AFRL/RQTE) at Wright-Patterson AFB and the Commodities Maintenance Group at Warner-Robins Air Logistics Complex. The proposed Phase II project will leverage the valuable learning from successful completion of Phase I project and demonstration of its feasibility. Phase II is expected to achieve TRL 6 through direct end-user involvement.