Sensor system that uses embedded optical fibers

Patent · Tue Dec 25 00:00:00 EST 2018

OSTI ID:1531390

Chavez, Marcus Alexander; Covert, Timothy T.; Willis, Michael David

Sensor systems including an interferometer system are disclosed herein. In a general embodiment, the sensor system includes an optical fiber that is embedded into a sample, where the optical fiber has a reflective tip. The optical fiber is optically coupled to a sensor and a detector of the laser interferometer system. The sensor system further includes a computing device or circuit that is configured to receive electrical signals generated by the detector. The laser source is configured to emit light, which is coupled into the optical fiber. The light travels through the optical fiber until the light reaches the reflective tip, where it is reflected back through the optical fiber. The detector is impacted by the reflected light, and generates an electrical signal based upon the reflected light. The computing device generates a value that is indicative of a behavior of the sample based upon the electrical signal.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-94AL85000
• Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC (Albuquerque, NM)
• Patent Number(s): 10,161,924
• Application Number: 14/599,901
• OSTI ID: 1531390
• Resource Relation: Patent File Date: 2015-01-19
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English