Fluorescent optical position sensor
Abstract
A fluorescent optical position sensor and method of operation. A small excitation source side-pumps a localized region of fluorescence at an unknown position along a fluorescent waveguide. As the fluorescent light travels down the waveguide, the intensity of fluorescent light decreases due to absorption. By measuring with one (or two) photodetectors the attenuated intensity of fluorescent light emitted from one (or both) ends of the waveguide, the position of the excitation source relative to the waveguide can be determined by comparing the measured light intensity to a calibrated response curve or mathematical model. Alternatively, excitation light can be pumped into an end of the waveguide, which generates an exponentially-decaying continuous source of fluorescent light along the length of the waveguide. The position of a photodetector oriented to view the side of the waveguide can be uniquely determined by measuring the intensity of the fluorescent light emitted radially at that location.
- Inventors:
- Issue Date:
- Research Org.:
- Sandia National Lab. (SNL-CA), Livermore, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Org.:
- USDOE
- OSTI Identifier:
- 1175552
- Patent Number(s):
- 6965709
- Application Number:
- 10/437,876
- Assignee:
- Sandia Corporation
- Patent Classifications (CPCs):
-
G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01D - MEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE
G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01F - MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-94AL85000
- Resource Type:
- Patent
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION
Citation Formats
Weiss, Jonathan D. Fluorescent optical position sensor. United States: N. p., 2005.
Web.
Weiss, Jonathan D. Fluorescent optical position sensor. United States.
Weiss, Jonathan D. Tue .
"Fluorescent optical position sensor". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1175552.
@article{osti_1175552,
title = {Fluorescent optical position sensor},
author = {Weiss, Jonathan D.},
abstractNote = {A fluorescent optical position sensor and method of operation. A small excitation source side-pumps a localized region of fluorescence at an unknown position along a fluorescent waveguide. As the fluorescent light travels down the waveguide, the intensity of fluorescent light decreases due to absorption. By measuring with one (or two) photodetectors the attenuated intensity of fluorescent light emitted from one (or both) ends of the waveguide, the position of the excitation source relative to the waveguide can be determined by comparing the measured light intensity to a calibrated response curve or mathematical model. Alternatively, excitation light can be pumped into an end of the waveguide, which generates an exponentially-decaying continuous source of fluorescent light along the length of the waveguide. The position of a photodetector oriented to view the side of the waveguide can be uniquely determined by measuring the intensity of the fluorescent light emitted radially at that location.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Nov 15 00:00:00 EST 2005},
month = {Tue Nov 15 00:00:00 EST 2005}
}
Works referenced in this record:
Impurity-doped fiber-optic shock position sensor
journal, January 1994
- Weiss, J. D.
- Journal of Lightwave Technology, Vol. 12, Issue 10
Fluorescent optical liquid-level sensor
journal, August 2000
- Weiss, Jonathan D.
- Optical Engineering, Vol. 39, Issue 8