Fiber optic sensors for Navy applications

The development of a family of sensors to detect a wide range of energy fields by exploiting their effects on the optical signal in a fiber-optic waveguide is examined. Interferometric, acoustic, magnetic, fiber gyro, and intensity-based sensors are considered, and multiplexing arrays of sensors is discussed. The main thrust of the program has been sensors for antisubmarine warfare. Applications include the all-optical towed array (AOTA), fiber-optic planar arrays, bottom-mounted acoustic sensors, magnetometers for fiber-optic magnetic arrays, and rate-of-rotation sensors for attitude, heading, and navigation systems. These require the high sensitivity and performance of phase-based or interferometric sensors. Other applications that can be satisfied with the simpler, less sensitive intensity-based sensors include damage control sensors being developed for shipboard applications and fly-by-light systems for military aircraft.<>