High-Temperature Fiber Optic Pressure Sensor

Abstract

Two versions of a fast-response microbend pressure sensor have been developed for deployment in high temperature environments. Aluminum-coated fiber is used in a drum configuration in the sensors which employ a unique "fingered" flexural diaphragm technique to induce microbend attenuation. A dedicated test facility consisting of a shock tube and customized furnace has been established for high-temperature pressure sensor evaluation. The shock tube delivers reproducible, fast rise-time pressure pulses. Sensor response has been obtained using single mode fiber. The furnace, which has been built around the shock tube, and which maintains a heated environment to 750°C, has not yet been used with the fiber sensors.