Rugged, Compact, and Inexpensive Airborne Fiber Sensor Interrogator Based on a Monolithic Tunable Laser

In this program, Freedom Photonics will develop and build a robust, low C-SWaP laser source with improved performance over current technology, to be incorporated into improved FOS interrogator systems. The laser will be 40nm continuously tunable around C-band, with fast sweep rate. The laser interrogator module to be developed will be based on our advanced monolithic, fast-tunable laser and receiver technology, leading to ultra-low SWaP with smaller FOS laser interrogator module, two orders of magnitude smaller than existing technology, and interrogator mass less than 100 grams. The configuration will be rugged, compatible with fuel, fuel vapor, shock, and vibration.

- 3D Shape Sensing: Antenna deflection, solar array deployment, space station snake robots - 2D Shape/Deflection Sensing: Wing deflection, morphing wings, engine nozzle shape, rocket shape - trajectory corrections - Strain Measurements: Distributed load monitoring, COPV failure prediction, failure precursor detection, composite material embedment, full scale testing, structural dynamics - Temperature Measurements: Cryogenic liquid level (rocket fuel), re-entry ablative material monitoring

- Oil & Gas: Drill/tool shape and head position, well movement, ROV tether, flexible riser shape, Platform movement, Well health monitoring, well equipment integrity, Storage tank liquid level, liquid composition, distributed well temperature - Medical: Catheters, robotic surgery, Mattress deflection, body contour sensing, bone impact deflection Swallow strength - detection, prosthetic limb design and test, sport equipment safety, Inflammation, Heat Therapy, Cancer Treatment - Energy (other): Nuclear facility snake robots, nuclear tube deformation, Wind turbine blade and shaft deflection Wind turbine blade embedment - health monitoring, blade design and testing, Gas turbine temperature distribution

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