Super-High-Resolution, Distributed Photonic Sensors for Aerospace Platforms

IFOS and STTR partner Stanford University propose an innovative fiber-optic sensor array leveraging the latest advances in slow-light fiber Bragg gratings (SL-FBG). SL-FBGs substantially improve upon the sensitivity of commercially proven conventional FBGs (C-FBG) by more than 3 orders of magnitude and can be interrogated at megahertz rates. SL-FBG differ from C-FBG in their refractive index modulation gradient, which occurs over the same typical length (~5 mm) but is 2 orders of magnitude stronger. As a result, light is not simply reflected by the SL-FBG, but travels back and forth through it multiple times as if within a micro-resonator. This yields dramatic sensitivity gains over C-FBG, enabling measurement of critical jet engine parameters and ultra-fine flight control surface pressures. Furthermore, SL- and C-FBGs can be combined to cover complementary sensitivity requirements across different vehicle structures. In this project, IFOS will advance this important area into a practical and complete integrated multiplexed system and solution for deployment to aerospace platforms.