Optical Fibers with Protective Flexible Coatings for Signal and Energy Transmission in Harsh Lunar & Planetary Environments

Goal: To demonstrate optical fibers with flexible protective coatings capable of withstanding harsh conditions encountered on lunar and planetary missions Capability Need/Knowledge Gap: Flexible protective coatings on fiber optic cables limit their effective operational environment. Except for relatively expensive gold coated fibers, there are no coated optical fibers that could withstand temperatures above 400°C and 450°C for prolonged periods of time while maintaining their flexibility. In optical power delivery applications, while large core optical fibers are available, their use is also limited due to their low thermal stability and lack of flexibility. State-of-the-Art/Knowledge: The ChemCam type instrument used on the Mars Rover Curiosity for the LIBS is limited to direct line-of-sight and would benefit from a flexible laser delivery system. A fiber optic cable for high power laser beam delivery, protected with a flexible coating that is optimized for operation in lunar and specific planetary environments, would fill a gap in current technology. Key Technical Challenges: Developing a protective coating material for optical glass fibers so that the fibers will withstand temperatures ≥ 500℃ while maintaining their flexibility and environmental survivability; and, Finding sufficient information on applicability of flexible protective coating to optical fibers that are capable of transmitting high power and high energy density laser pulses. Approach/Research Plan: (1) Characterization of precursor compositions; (2) Develop coatings and apply on samples; (3) Report on propagation of high energy pulses through fibers; and, (4) Conduct performance evaluation of coated samples. We propose to use these properties to develop and test precursor compositions for use as protective and flexible coatings for optical fibers that will allow a thermal performance range greater than what’s currently commercially available. After establishing a recipe we will apply the coatings to glass fiber optic samples and evaluate the coatings performance according to a test matrix we will establish. Next Step: For lunar applications, the fiber coatings should be tested for their durability to scratching by regolith and exposure to ultraviolet radiation. For Venusian missions, the next step would be to test fiber coatings in the Glenn Extreme Environments Rig (GEER) or chambers similar to mini-GEERs.

The proposed work assists in meeting NASA Strategic Objective 2.2 “Conduct Human Exploration in Deep Space, Including to the Surface of the Moon” (NASA 2018 Strategic Plan) and investment strategy in technology areas of Destination Systems (ISRU), Sensors, and System Health Management as outlined in the NASA Strategic Technology Investment Plan. While protective coatings capable of withstanding harsh aerospace environments are currently being developed by both NASA and the industry, those coatings are intended for use on relatively flat and inflexible surfaces.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

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