High-G effects on optical fiber based displacement sensing for re-entry bodies

Abstract

Re-entry bodies are subject to extreme conditions, among them the rigorous shock, vibration, and loading characteristics that can often induce noise or loss of measurement. Restrictions by the Department of Energy on spark sources within a sealed body require the exclusive use of fiber optics for sensing. A joint effort between Los Alamos National Laboratory and Lambda Instruments has developed and evaluated a white light interferometric fiber sensor to address these concerns while measuring displacements between high explosive components in potential flight applications. The sensor offers advantages with electro-magnetic immunity, non-contact sensing elements, and high sensitivity to movement. Gap values are calculated from the extrema of the sinusoidal wavelength pattern created by the Fabry-Perot cavity between the lens and explosive surface, collected by an optical spectrum analyzer and interpreted by an external computer. This paper focuses on the interferometric concept and experimental data received from the unit in real-time during centrifuge tests. Results from single and multimode versions are presented and reported in their effectiveness for 0-2 millimeter measurements.